From: Ellen K. 

That's horrible.

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

> 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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