Fallen Troops = Commercial Airline Baggage?

Originally posted by Snoopbert
Out of curiosity, where did you learn how it is supposed to happen (Same question to wanderer).

i thought it was common knowlege. i guess ill search for an official document on it, but may take a while. unless anyone else can find it.

and to whats you face, protocol regarding photos were broken and we were given the opportunity to see how the bodies are properly transported, with flags draped. its quite possible, you know, when they are not stacked and stuffed in a cargo hold like baggage.

Originally posted by Wanderer259
Except that this soldier was denied nothing.

I'm not sure what the problem is, exactly. I've read through everyone's posts and can't see what the big deal is. Maybe we should stop giving Egyptian pharaohs such extravagant treatment?

Originally posted by FeceMan
That was a joke he posted.

Sorry. 😐

This was the best I could find myself: http://www.nfda.org/page.php?pID=153

Preparation of the remains and casketing (primary expenses), clothing if not available in the personal effects of the deceased, a military escort to accompany the remains to the place of funeral and final disposition, a U.S. flag to accompany the remains to place of final disposition, and transportation of the remains to the place designated by the next of kin are provided.

This is by the National Funeral Directors Asssociation and it says nothing about the flag being required to be draped or wrapped about the casket at all times, only that one will accompany it.

Originally posted by PVS
and to whats you face, protocol regarding photos were broken and we were given the opportunity to see how the bodies are properly transported, with flags draped. its quite possible, you know, when they are not stacked and stuffed in a cargo hold like baggage.

Incorrect. That is how they are received by the Dover Air Base during ceremony, not how they are transported to their final destination of a funeral home selected by themselves or their families. The flag is removed to place the casket in the shipping container (for the casket's own protection), given to the military escort for safe-keeping, and then replaced once the casket has been removed from its protective container.

Are you suggesting that the C-5/C-130/C-whatever that is used to bring the caskets as a group to Dover should also fly each casket to its individual resting place? If the cost can be handled, then okay, I don't see why not either.

What is the problem? No soldier, Marine, sailor, or airmen I have brought this up to has any problem with it at all.

Let me just say that a coffin/casket with a flag on it and a ceremonial greeting generates attention. The way people respond to it is "Oh Its a soldier ; Proabably died in Iraq or Afghanistan from the battle" and reminding the Public that there are deaths.

The less attention these caskets get, the less talk there is about death form the US side and the less controvertial the whole issue is.

The irony is that they are travelling in commercial planes and are getting the opposite effect.

Originally posted by CGC
Let me just say that a coffin/casket with a flag on it and a ceremonial greeting generates attention. The way people respond to it is "Oh Its a soldier ; Proabably died in Iraq or Afghanistan from the battle" and reminding the Public that there are deaths.

The less attention these caskets get, the less talk there is about death form the US side and the less controvertial the whole issue is.

The irony is that they are travelling in commercial planes and are getting the opposite effect.

I don't know. This is the only news story I've seen on it. I'd say the federal mandate on disallowing public photos of the ceremonies both at Dover and elsewhere get more attention than anything else.