Solemn homecoming
- April
- 6
For the first time in 18 years, the media on Sunday night was permitted to cover the solemn ceremony marking the return of a fallen service member from the tarmac at Dover Air Force Base.
Associated Press writer Randall Chase reported that “After receiving permission from family members, the military opened Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to the media Sunday night for the return of the body of Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip Myers of Hopewell, Va.
The 30-year-old airman was killed April 4 near Helmand province, Afghanistan, when he was hit with an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense said.”
Although there has been some debate over the merits of allowing press coverage of the return of flag-draped caskets, I think it shows not only the human cost of war, but the dignity and respect shown to the fallen.
My Vietnam veteran father would have disagreed. He always hated seeing images of the coffins being taken off of planes that seemed to be a staple of media reports back then. He said that it was a private event and that no civilians, other than family, should be allowed.
I’d be curious to hear what you think. Click here to see the AP report, which includes video of the ceremony.
Posted by Rich Liebson on Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 3:16 pm | 
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