DOVER, Del. — In the weeks since the Pentagon ended an 18-year ban on media coverage of fallen service members returning to the U.S., most families given the option have allowed reporters and photographers to witness the solemn ceremonies that mark the arrival of flag-draped transfer cases.
Critics had warned that military families needed privacy and peace activists might exploit the images, but so far the coverage has not caused problems.
Air Force Tech Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, 30, of Hopewell, Va., who died April 4 in Afghanistan, was the first combat casualty whose return to American soil was witnessed by the news media. He was buried with full military honors Monday afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery, where Defense Secretary Robert Gates joined representatives from all branches of the military in paying their respects.
Air Force civil engineer Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg, who traveled to Dover Air Force Base earlier this month for the return of Myers’ body, also attended the ceremony at Arlington, where he presented U.S. flags to Myers’ widow, Aimee, and other relatives.
With permission from Aimee Myers, the military opened the Dover base earlier this month so reporters and photographers could chronicle the return of her husband’s body. The mortuary there is the entry point for service members killed overseas.
Since the ban was lifted, 19 families have been asked whether they wanted media coverage of their loved one’s return and 14 have said yes.
"That’s a pretty good majority,” said Lt. Col. Les Melnyk, a Pentagon spokesman. He said, though, that it’s too early to tell whether military families favor the policy.
Rose Alexander, an Air Force spokeswoman, said reporters have been cooperative and there haven’t been any problems.
by the associted press
Critics had warned that military families needed privacy and peace activists might exploit the images, but so far the coverage has not caused problems.
Air Force Tech Sgt. Phillip A. Myers, 30, of Hopewell, Va., who died April 4 in Afghanistan, was the first combat casualty whose return to American soil was witnessed by the news media. He was buried with full military honors Monday afternoon at Arlington National Cemetery, where Defense Secretary Robert Gates joined representatives from all branches of the military in paying their respects.
Air Force civil engineer Maj. Gen. Del Eulberg, who traveled to Dover Air Force Base earlier this month for the return of Myers’ body, also attended the ceremony at Arlington, where he presented U.S. flags to Myers’ widow, Aimee, and other relatives.
With permission from Aimee Myers, the military opened the Dover base earlier this month so reporters and photographers could chronicle the return of her husband’s body. The mortuary there is the entry point for service members killed overseas.
Since the ban was lifted, 19 families have been asked whether they wanted media coverage of their loved one’s return and 14 have said yes.
"That’s a pretty good majority,” said Lt. Col. Les Melnyk, a Pentagon spokesman. He said, though, that it’s too early to tell whether military families favor the policy.
Rose Alexander, an Air Force spokeswoman, said reporters have been cooperative and there haven’t been any problems.
by the associted press
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