Posted on 03/27/2006 1:23:12 PM PST by RDTF
Sorrow and dignity: Georgia-based Marine reservists in the war zone treat the remains of U.S. troops as if they were family. Jeremy Redmon - Staff Saturday, March 25, 2006
Camp Taqaddum, Iraq --- The two Marines arrive at midnight, carrying a black body bag on a stretcher.
They put it on a stand over a pile of sawdust, placed there to absorb spills. Inside the bag lies a young American killed in combat. His hands are draped across his chest, almost as if he were sleeping.
Lance Cpl. Chris McGlauchlen, 19, of Morgan County, Ga., straps on a light blue surgeon's mask, turns to another Marine and asks, "Are you ready?"
For these Marine reservists from a Marietta-based unit, life in the war zone means dealing with death on a daily basis.
Their Personnel Retrieval and Processing Company, the first of its kind, has the emotionally draining job of collecting the bodies of service members, cataloguing the remains and shipping them back to the United States for burial or cremation.
(Excerpt) Read more at ajc.com ...
May God strengthen them and give them courage. I don't know what else to say.
Remember Their Sacrifice
God Bless these soldiers and give them sleep without bad dreams. They have done the ultimate service for their fallen brothers and sisters.
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