Comments on: New Dover Media Policy

By: Claire

Claire — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:01:40 +0000

David, you definitely put a good voice to my own sentiments. It is a clinical fact that the recipient of news like this goes through a state of shock. This stage will vary in length and severity depending on the person, the support they have, and their own factors of resiliency. Why in the world would anyone want to ask someone in that frame of mind to make s decision they may later regret (either for the yea or the nay!). Furthermore I also don’t think the ban should have been lifted until the military put a “check here” box on the standard forms that are filled out before deployment that express a service member’s wishes in the event of his/her death.

By: Miss Ladybug

Miss Ladybug — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:59:33 +0000

Note only that, David, but when Gates went to Dover, he declined media coverage of his visit…

I agree that is should be a decision made prior to deployment by the service member. What happens when the deceased is not married, and the deceased’s parents are divorced? Who is the “primary next of kin”?

Also, I’ve had the question about the “what if” of multiple KIA returning on a single flight, and not all next of kin agree about media coverage.

By: David M

David M — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:49:02 +0000

Here in my opinion is what is terribly wrong with this policy change:
– 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;

WTF?

This should be a decision that has been made PRIOR to deployment! What CNO wants to have to ask the family literally seconds after they have been notified that their warrior has been killed in action that they have to make a decision about media presence? That is insanity, along with the literally dozens of other forms that are thrust in front of the now grieving family.

This policy is assinine and should be revoked and reworked to make the decision one that the servicemember makes PRIOR to deployment.

Gates noted in his one and only visit to Dover [www.thunderrun.us/2009/03/tell-me-mr-gateshow-can-you-lift-ban.html] that it was a very moving experience and now he wants to shred that level decorum by allowing the flash of cameras and the scrambling of paparazzi?

It’s discraceful!