Well, I can't say I agree. I'll talk about why below.
The Thunder Run posted this story a bit ago, and I had to comment. The link below is to their coverage of this.
http://www.thunderrun.us/2009/04/gates-releases-new-dover-media-policy.html
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has approved a policy change that, under strictly delineated conditions, allows media filming of dignified transfer operations of fallen service members' remains at Dover Air Force Base, Del.
The new policy is slated to be implemented, April 6, Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters today. If immediate family members consent to media coverage, Whitman said, reporters would be provided the basic information on the servicemember and the expected time of arrival of the flight bearing the remains.
"The core of the policy," Whitman said, "is built around the desires of the family members, and it will be the families that decide whether or not media have access to any of these dignified transfers."
Per the memorandum, the following actions are to be taken in conjunction with implementation of the new policy:
-- The undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness and other Pentagon elements will revise defense regulatory documents to reflect the new policy at Dover;
-- Deceased service members' remains will be transferred from the combat theater of operations to the Dover facility as soon as possible;
-- The primary next of kin will make the family's decision regarding media access to dignified transfer operations at Dover;
-- Families of deceased service members will be briefed on the option to allow media coverage of the dignified transfer at the time of notification of the member's death or as soon as possible thereafter;
-- If the primary next of kin permits media access at Dover, reporters will be given the name, rank, military service and hometown of the "believed to be" casualty. A more complete identification of the deceased service member, including unit, place, date and circumstances of death, will be released following the confirmation of the casualty's identity at the Dover mortuary, and then only 24 hours after the last of the deceased's next of kin have been notified of the loss; and
-- Primary next of kin and two other family members may travel to Dover at department expense to observe the dignified transfer operation. The services may fund the travel of additional family members on a case-by-case basis.
With all respect, and I mean this completely, with all respect, I have to disagree. The point I disagree on is that fact that we will ask the primary next of kin what they want in regards to media. I can not even imagine being the Casualty Notification Officer or the Casualty Assistance Officer and having to ask this question. The next of kin are bombarded with emotions, grieving, and administrative issues enough at this point.
I've lost a good deal of friends both on my tours, and in between them. But, this is one question I can not even imagine asking the grieving widow.
God Bless America
Bryan
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Wednesday Hero - Paul Gleason
28 minutes ago
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7 comments:
Major:
Thanks for the link. But here is a thought I had while PT'ing not long ago. We all know nothing ever happens without a from being completed, by someone.
With that in mind this policy is wrong to put that on the NOK, it should be the wishes of the servicemember, whether or not to allow the media to view their return to Dover should they fall in combat. If that were the case, every CG should issue a defualt entry on this form to NO MEDIA and make the servicemember to select MEDIA ALLOWED.
Thoughts?
Oh crap...typing to fast....too many typos.
David,
I completely agree. That is a great idea, and probably the way they should have gone on this one.
It's not without precedent either. Think about how SGLI is handled. You automatically are signed up for full coverage unless you elect to have less.
Great Point!
Bryan
I'm a very visual person. My life is contained in a bookshelf of scrapbooks. If I were a grieving spouse, I would want my husband's return to be photographed. I would want every detail that is possible captured. I tell my story and the story of others through photographs.
I do like the idea of the service member selecting ahead of time. I would assume something like this is discussed between spouses before a deployment - - the arrangements in case something happens. I'm a planner that way.
RangersGirl, the problem isn't that you, as the nxt of kin, have photos of the transfer for your own memories. These are photos taken by the media. At that point they become public domain, available for use by anyone. Would you want the photo of your loved ones coffin coming home being used by the likes of ANSWER or Code Pink? That's what will surely end up happening.
There is another issue also, beyond the next of kin. The military is also grieving here, and are releasing one of their own back to their original family. Dover is the beginning of that transfer and I believe strongly that the military should be allowed this private, dignified time as part of it's own grieving process.
I know that some media types can be very respectful at times such as these, and some can even learn from it. Others are pure jackals. Neither should be present here though. They haven't earned the right to intrude at this point, and the photos they take will most surely not be used to honor the memory of the fallen.
I vote for the service member making the decision, hopefully in consideration of sensitivity to family. I also agree that exploitation for political agendas is inevitable, but I don't believe that insulating public from reality of war has panned out very well.
flyonthewall
Good Morning All,
I dont think the issue is insulating the public. The problem becomes, will this place an increased stress on the next of kin in a time of already unbelievable stress and grieving.
I know for some, they would want it, and not have a problem with it. But, if only even 10% would have issues then it is problematic.
I also agree that there are some out there that would use this to their advantage to push an agenda. This is most certainly not what it is there for.
Most deffinitely feel it is a decision to be made prior to deployment. Similar to a will, a power of attorney, or SGLI.
Bryan
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