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2006-11-30 Home Front: WoT

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Posted by Fred & Gorb 2006-11-30 13:41|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 This is bullschit. The man should have been carried off the plane. It's that fricking simple.

Posted by Icerigger 2006-11-30 14:39|| 2006-11-30 14:39|| Front Page Top

#2 Several years ago, I escorted the coffin of my baby from Florida to Michigan for burial. I was able to ride with the funeral director in the hearse, and he dropped me at the terminal and then went to the air freight section. While waiting for the flight to board, my son's casket was indeed sitting on a baggage cart, but it was the sole occupant of that cart and did indeed have to travel up the conveyor (head first) into the hold. It was positioned with the rest of the belly freight on the ramp. The weather was clear, so I cannot speak to the inclement weather procedures, but my guess is that they would cover or otherwise protect it. I saw nothing wrong with that, since there really is no other way to handle such an object. At the destination, the process was repeated, again with respect and care.

I would expect nothing less for a coffin carrying one of our soldiers. This, if true is not the norm, but I think it is simply an over-reaction.

Posted by USN, ret. 2006-11-30 14:44|| 2006-11-30 14:44|| Front Page Top

#3 Here's her original letter. It explains a little better what she saw.

Where was outpouring of respect for fallen soldier?

By Cynthia Hoag
Guest essayist

(November 28, 2006) On Oct. 27, I was waiting for a flight with three friends at the Greater Rochester International Airport. As we talked and laughed, we watched airport personnel unloading luggage from a plane. And we were surprised to see a soldier in uniform standing by the airplane looking things over, and watching the luggage belt that was loaded with baggage.

Since I have served in the Army Reserves for 21 years, my friends asked me why I thought he was standing there. I did not need to answer because as I looked down, a box with the American flag draped over it came down the belt. The lone waiting soldier stood at attention saluting the fallen soldier.

My friends and I sat silently watching the casket roll down the belt, and then, to our surprise, disappear into the cart with the rest of the luggage. The waiting soldier stayed with the casket and rode in the cart as they pulled away.

My friends and I were speechless. I, as many Americans, support our troops and know they believe they are truly making a difference in Iraq. As I read the paper every day, I see the number of soldiers who are killed every day. I served with soldiers who were deployed in support of the war. I have not, however, known anyone who has been killed in it. After I read the paper I usually go about my business not thinking again about the young men and women who died trying to complete their mission. Since I have not been affected by the death of a loved one, or a friend, I haven't been as aware of the devastation that their families must endure. I'm afraid most people feel that way.

This incident, however, changed that for me. I saw the casket of a fallen soldier, saluted by a lone soldier, and then placed in the baggage cart. Baggage. There was a young man standing at the window watching intently with us. He made no comment, but I can only hope that he was not a relative.

At the very least, couldn't there have been a hearse to transport the fallen soldier? At the very least, couldn't there have been a group of soldiers to receive one of their own? If it had been a dignitary/celebrity arriving, the reception certainly would have been different.

It was a very sobering, sad experience for all of us. Please, don't let this happen again to any soldier. Let's not treat our fallen troops like baggage.

Posted by tu3031 2006-11-30 14:45|| 2006-11-30 14:45|| Front Page Top

#4 I think I'll go breathe into a bag for a while. But they better make sure a hearse is waiting from now on. I don't want anything that even looks like a luggage train to pick up coffins.

Unless it's a bunch of terrorists that need to be disposed of, of course. They can just throw those guys in garbage trucks until they're full and squeeze them out into the dump. Don't forget to hose them out when you're done so it doesn't contaminate the garbage.

Posted by gorb 2006-11-30 16:41|| 2006-11-30 16:41|| Front Page Top

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