Quote:
Originally Posted by horizon200
It was not a case of not drawing attention. There was no mechanism in place to deliver them to their final resting place other than commercial scheduled carriers...again the most expeditious means. The recieving funeral homes would them drape a flag over the casket prior to the service.
There was never an attempt at hiding the caskets. This practice had always been in place...however, some anti war advocates highlighted it as a Bushism and now we have a multi million dollar contract to deliver them home. In itself, not a bad thing. However, the rest of the story is that IF the contracted carrier is not available, we will transport the casket on a military airlifter. Thus taking away from much needed lift in theater. Additionally, there is an honor guard that must meet each acft not just attend the service...essentially doubling that requirement as well. All of this is heaped onto a shrinking over budget cut military (I know..this is where you insert we wouldn't be over tasked if it wasn't for the war!). Point in fact is that the previous service of using scheduled carriers was a veryu expediant way of delivering them to their final resting place.
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They are bringing them home at least. How many of our soldiers were buried in Europe during WWII? How many lost in the jungles of Vietnam. If they are bringing them back so that they can be honored the mode of transport doesnt seem that important to me.