Family Upset Over Marine's Body Arriving As Freight

SAN DIEGO -- There's controversy over how the military is transporting the bodies of service members killed overseas, 10News reported.

A local family said fallen soldiers and Marines deserve better and that one would think our war heroes are being transported with dignity, care and respect. It said one would think upon arrival in their hometowns they are greeted with honor. But unfortunately, the family said that is just not the case.

Dead heroes are supposed to come home with their coffins draped with the American flag -- greeted by a color guard.

But in reality, many are arriving as freight on commercial airliners -- stuffed in the belly of a plane with suitcases and other cargo. Click here to find out more!

John Holley and his wife, Stacey, were stunned when they found out the body of their only child, Matthew, who died in Iraq last month, would be arriving at Lindbergh Field as freight.

"When someone dies in combat, they need to give them due respect they deserve for (the) sacrifice they made," said John Holley.

John and Stacey Holley, who were both in the Army, made some calls, and with the help of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Matthew was greeted with honor and respect.

"Our familiarity with military protocol and things of that sort allowed us to kind of put our foot down -- we're not sure other parents have that same knowledge," said Stacey Holley.

Reporters from 10News called the Defense Department for an explanation. A representative said she did not know why this is happening.

There were some good responses on there too, here's one :

This is what I have included in the NCO Guide 8th Edition, and is drawn from the pertinent regulations.

BODY ESCORT DETAILBody escort detail is an extremely important duty. Soldiers selected to act as escort represent the Army and the United States. The escort's mission is to see that the remains of the deceased reach the final destination chosen by the next of kin and that they are treated with honor, respect, and dignity during transport.

Maintaining a correct state of personal appearance is of primary importance. The uniform for this duty is the Army green uniform. Neatness and cleanliness of your person are a part of the respect shown for the dead.

You will receive a package containing papers necessary to your assignment, including VA Form 40-1330, Application for Headstone or Marker, and DD Form 1375, Request for Payment of Funeral and/or Interment Expenses. You will also receive a Statement of Condition of Remains (a locally reproduced form) and the deceased's death certificate, which you should give to the funeral director when you arrive at your destination.

You are responsible for the remains from the time you sign for them to the time you obtain a receipt for them from the funeral director at your destination. The statement of the condition of the remains serves as your receipt.

When remains are to be transported in a casket, they may be sent by air or by rail, although the latter is used less often than air transportation. But regardless of how the remains are being shipped, you should be at the terminal well before the time of departure. Determine at that time where you should go to make sure that the casket has arrived. Examine the casket and check the label at the head of the casket that shows the deceased's name and Social Security number. Sign your name on the label to show that you have checked it. Be sure that no cargo is placed on the casket.

When the casket is placed in the cargo compartment of the airplane, it is moved in a feet-first position. On the aircraft, the body should be placed in a head-first position, with the head toward the nose of the aircraft. The airline employees should be reminded of this. In a railcar, the remains are placed feet-first. Salute the casket while it is being loaded on the carrier.

When traveling by airplane, tell the flight attendant that you are escorting a deceased person and wish to be the first to leave after landing. When the casket is being moved, you should accompany it to ensure proper handling and to make sure that the remains do not become separated from you.

If any emergency or unavoidable delay occurs, notify the receiving funeral home by telephone. Also call the mortuary officer at the shipping installation. You may call this officer collect. Be sure to include the new arrival time and flight number of the airplane.

When you reach your destination, go immediately to watch the casket being unloaded. As soon as the remains arrive in the terminal, drape the flag over the casket with the blue-starred field above the left shoulder of the deceased. The remainder of the flag should be draped evenly over the casket. Secure the flag on the shipping case with the elastic flag band. If the casket was shipped by rail, remove the baggage tag and turn it in at the baggage room. The funeral director will meet you at the terminal. The remains will be loaded into a hearse for transfer to the funeral home. The casket should be moved feet-first. Salute the remains before the door of the hearse is closed. Cremated remains are shipped in an urn placed inside a shipping box that you hand-carry and keep in your possession at all times. You will also carry along the flag, folded and in a plastic case; you do not place or drape the flag on the shipping box.

When you arrive at your destination, remove the urn from the shipping box. During the interment service, the flag may be taken out of its case, folded to resemble a cocked hat, and placed in front of the urn. At the end of the service, it is put back into its case and presented to the next of kin.

When escorting cremated remains, you will obtain from the funeral director a receipt for the remains instead of a statement on the condition of the remains. In all other aspects, the details of escort duty for cremated remains are the same as for escorting a body in a casket. Ordinarily, the family of the deceased will not be present at the terminal when you arrive, and your first contact with them will not occur until you have reached the funeral home. But should they be present at the terminal, be sure to introduce yourself to them at that time. Should there be an SAO present, be sure to make yourself known. He or she may be of great help to you if you should need assistance. You should accompany the funeral director in the hearse. Use this opportunity to find out all you can about the next of kin and the other relatives of the deceased whom you will meet at the funeral home. Try to find out their attitude and any other facts that will help to make your assignment easier.

When you arrive at the funeral home, salute the casket as it is being unloaded.

Once at the funeral home, you and the funeral director will fold the flag that has been draped over the casket. The funeral director will inspect the casket to see that it has not been damaged during shipment. If the remains are to be viewed, he or she also opens the casket for inspection. You are responsible for inspecting the uniform and decorations of the deceased. If the casket is to be closed, arrange the flag as you did at the terminal (see picture on page 329). When you and the funeral director have completed these steps, he or she will prepare the statement of the condition of the remains and sign it. You are responsible for returning the statement to the supervisor of mortuary operations at the installation that prepared the remains. You will also give the funeral director the certificate of death, which will have been included in your packet. If there is an SAO present, he or she will handle all matters pertaining to insurance, back pay, casualty information, awards, military funeral arrangements, and such. If an SAO is not present, offer the family your assistance and sympathy, but remain quiet, tactful, and dignified. Offer to remain for the funeral services. If the family wants you to stay, you are required to do so. If burial is to be made in a private cemetery, show the family VA Form 40-1330 and DD Form 1375. If the remains are consigned to a funeral director before interment in a government or national cemetery, show the family DD Form 1375. Explain to the next of kin that the forms should be filled in as soon as possible and mailed to the military activity listed on the form.

When you have completed your assignment, you are to return to your duty station. After your return, you are required to submit a short report in letter form concerning your escort duty. Be sure to include any problems you encountered during your escort duty and how they were

resolved 28 posted on 12/10/2005 12:38:33 PM EST by Hurtgen [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.