Is that in writing from that time, or just an after-the-fact sentiment? What about the cemeteries in France and other places, do we have to pay to bring all those veterans back home as well?
Some of these 13 could be my ancestors, for all I know. That doesn't mean taxpayers have to foot the bill for me. I mean, is this a solution in search of a problem? In other words, has anyone with a personal connection to these 13 even expressed a personal interest in the return of their remains?
I just can't believe the business-as-usual attitude as our government continues running monstrous deficits, spending tax money willy-nilly. The Republicans are doing nothing to fix the problem (merely slowing it down a little as in Ryan's budget). But there is no evidence that anyone beyond the 'crazed fringe' is concerned about stable government fiscal policy. (For that is where we stand today - those of us seeking responsible, constitutionally-bound government are relegated to the asylum, while the lunatic populace runs free.)
My grandpa is buried in the US military cemetery, Margratten, Holland. My granny was given the option of having him shipped home but the captain she was discussing this with, a friend of the family, told her that more than likely the remains in his casket were not all his. Him and several in his unit were hit by an 88 barage.
She decided to let him rest in peace alongside his fellow fallen soldiers. She also felt that relocating him would take needed manpower away from the war effort. I respect her decision, and do not want one cent spent to relocate him. It would also be an insult to the Dutch families who adopt these graves and pass their care down through the generations, who have expressed extreme gratitude to the families of the fallen for their sacrifice in letters.
Well, since I'm not a veteran of THAT conflict, I wouldn't know if they got promised to have their bodies returned. I am, however, a veteran of the Vietnam Era, and of Desert Shield/Desert Storm. We don't leave them behind, now. I'd much rather see money spent on this than on building bridges to nowhere, airports that aren't needed, and treadmills for shrimp. I DO know that promises made to our troops have been violated throughout our history. Pretty consistently, in fact.
I'm pretty tired of it.
WRM, MSgt, USAF(Ret.)