From: Jeff Shultz 

That shouldn't be happening. There is pretty much an entire manual on the
treatment and transport and honors of military dead, and if anthing else is
happening, someone it gonna get stomped on for it.

Deservedly.

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 09:07:18 -0500, Rich Gauszka wrote:

>  Honored war dead or freight?
>
>
> http://www.10news.com/news/5504608/detail.html
>
> Family Upset Over Soldier's Body Arriving As Freight
>
> SAN DIEGO -- There's controversy over how the military is transporting the
> bodies of service members killed overseas, 10News reported.
>
> A local family said fallen soldiers and Marines deserve better and that
> one would think our war heroes are being transported with dignity, care
> and respect. It said one would think upon arrival in their hometowns they
> are greeted with honor. But unfortunately, the family said that is just
> not the case.
>
> Dead heroes are supposed to come home with their coffins draped with the
> American flag -- greeted by a color guard.
>
> But in reality, many are arriving as freight on commercial airliners --
> stuffed in the belly of a plane with suitcases and other cargo.
>
> John Holley and his wife, Stacey, were stunned when they found out the
> body of their only child, Matthew John Holley, who died in Iraq last
> month, would be arriving at Lindbergh Field as freight.
>
> Matthew was a medic with the 101st Airborne unit and died on Nov. 15.
>
> "When someone dies in combat, they need to give them due respect they
> deserve for (the) sacrifice they made," said John Holley.
>
> John and Stacey Holley, who were both in the Army, made some calls, and
> with the help of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Matthew was greeted with honor
> and respect.
>
> "Our familiarity with military protocol and things of that sort allowed us
> to kind of put our foot down -- we're not sure other parents have that
> same knowledge," said Stacey Holley.
>
> The Holleys now want to make sure every fallen hero gets the proper
> welcome.
>
> The bodies of dead service members arrive at Dover Air Force Base.
>
> From that point, they are sent to their families on commercial airliners.
>
> Reporters from 10News called the Defense Department for an explanation. A
> representative said she did not know why this is happening.

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