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Soldiers shipped home as freight
News-10 San Diego ^ | 12-9-2005 | unkown

Posted on 12/10/2005 9:11:41 AM PST by countreegurl

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.

http://images.ibsys.com/2005/1210/5505031_240X180.jpg


TOPICS: News/Current Events; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: doverafb; fallen; gwot; iraq; kia; marine; marines; oef; oif; soldiers
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To: countreegurl

It's a Bogus story, The Airlines NEVER haul the dead as "freight".

Even the military's.

All Bodies of American servicemen and women are transported according to custom and with an honor guard on military aircraft, unless the family denys such treatment.


21 posted on 12/10/2005 9:28:15 AM PST by usmcobra (30 years since I first celebrated The Marine Corps Birthday as a Marine)
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To: countreegurl

If they arrive into Dover with honor and distinction, then maybe the solution is to just fly the parents or spouse to meet the remains.


22 posted on 12/10/2005 9:30:18 AM PST by countreegurl
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To: armymarinemom

This pic gives a better idea of the dimensions. You may be right....the width of the "cardboard boc" appears to be less than the width indicated by these photoes.

Cannot put it past the MSM to make up the story.


23 posted on 12/10/2005 9:30:39 AM PST by indcons (Merry Christmas and happy holidays, FRiends)
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To: Moonman62

This could very likely be a civilian. This is often how they are transported on aircraft to minimize weight. Particularly if the body needs to be shipped to the location where the final resting casket is located.


24 posted on 12/10/2005 9:33:03 AM PST by Kirkwood
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To: countreegurl
http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/p638_2.pdf

This is the Army Regulation pertaining to the disposition of remains.

25 posted on 12/10/2005 9:33:06 AM PST by verity (The MSM is a National disgrace.)
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To: indcons
enhanced and enlarged. The dimensions still look off.
26 posted on 12/10/2005 9:34:16 AM PST by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghanistan Honor Roll students.)
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To: armymarinemom

Yikes. Like my coding was off. Sorry.


27 posted on 12/10/2005 9:34:51 AM PST by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghanistan Honor Roll students.)
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To: verity

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 9:38:33 AM PST by Hurtgen
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To: countreegurl

Maybe someone can help me out if this doesn't work, but anyways - this is Matthews guest book from his service. He seemed like a great guy and a real hero.

http://www.legacy.com/theadvocate/Guestbook.asp?PersonID=15693292


29 posted on 12/10/2005 9:39:16 AM PST by countreegurl
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To: armymarinemom

I think you're right. Remember how MoveOn.org committed fraud in that ad before Thanksgiving? The left and their handmaidens in the MSM always have a hidden agenda. I'll assume this cardboard box story is a fake until a credible news source proves otherwise.

BTW, I love your tagline.


30 posted on 12/10/2005 9:39:52 AM PST by indcons (indcons on Rush Limbaugh's show (transcript): http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1535861/posts)
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To: indcons

Thanks. I tried to find a story that was on Military.com showing photos of a casket coming off of a commercial flight.


31 posted on 12/10/2005 9:42:44 AM PST by armymarinemom (My sons freed Iraqi and Afghanistan Honor Roll students.)
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To: countreegurl

What a shame young Matthew did not recieve the same honor for whatever reason. Looks like his parents are pushing for an investigation.

In all honesty, he probably did, when he arrived at Dover. But, when he was transferred to his home state, he is not possible that every transfer is going to be met by a color guard. It's a question of manpower.


32 posted on 12/10/2005 9:43:29 AM PST by SAMS (Nobody loves a soldier until the enemy is at the gate; Army Wife & Marine Mom)
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To: countreegurl

Someone else here had the same problem - link not working.

It could be this laptop. It needs to be reloaded.


33 posted on 12/10/2005 9:45:18 AM PST by nmh ( Intelligent people believe in Intelligent Design (God))
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To: Dog Gone
I guess we could strap them into the seats in first class.

This is not something that should be outsourced to the private sector.

34 posted on 12/10/2005 9:48:07 AM PST by Willie Green (Go Pat Go!!!)
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To: SAMS

SAMS - I think you are right. I think they ALL arrive in Dover with color guard and flag. Then the remains are sent to their home towns, unfortunately as frieght. Seems to me the solution is simply to arrange for the loved ones to fly to Dover with an explanation of how they will be shipped home.


35 posted on 12/10/2005 9:48:14 AM PST by countreegurl
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To: countreegurl

The container (sorry; not sure what to call it) has to travel in the freight section, doesn't it? Where else could it be on a passenger plane? I'm surprised it doesn't have a flag affixed to it - I thought they all did during transport. Maybe the source is exaggerating this.


36 posted on 12/10/2005 9:51:30 AM PST by hsalaw
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To: Dog Gone
I guess we could strap them into the seats in first class.

Sit 'em next to all of the limousine liberals in 1st class? The guys probably would have liked that.

37 posted on 12/10/2005 9:51:38 AM PST by Redcloak (We'll raise up our glasses against evil forces singin' "whiskey for my men and beer for my horses!")
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To: Hurtgen
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.

In other words, the casket doesn't travel in the cargo section with the flag draped over it, nor is it unloaded with one.

38 posted on 12/10/2005 9:57:11 AM PST by Dog Gone
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To: hsalaw

As above, if in a commercial aircraft, the flag in placed on the coffin as soon as it is unloaded.


39 posted on 12/10/2005 9:57:17 AM PST by Hurtgen
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To: Dog Gone

Exactly.


40 posted on 12/10/2005 9:59:00 AM PST by Hurtgen
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