Gates lifts ban on flag-draped casket photos

[unhappycamper]

Flag-draped coffins of U.S. war casualties are seen aboard a cargo plane in Dover Air Force Base, Del. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday that a longstanding policy that bans the media from photographing flag-draped coffins of fallen service members has been reversed.


Gates lifts ban on flag-draped casket photos
By William H. McMichael - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Feb 26, 2009 17:46:14 EST

Defense Secretary Robert Gates has lifted the ban on media coverage of the flag-draped caskets of war dead being returned to Dover Air Force Base, Del., reversing a policy in place since the 1991 Gulf War.

Coverage will now be decided on a case-by-case basis, with the families of the service members making the call on whether the return of their loved ones can be filmed or reported upon.

“After receiving input from a number of sources, including all the military services, and organizations representing military families, I have decided that the decision regarding media coverage of the dignified transfer process at Dover should be made by those most directly affected: on an individual basis by the families of the fallen,” Gates said at a Feb. 26 Pentagon news conference. “We ought not presume to make that decision in their place.”

Details on conditions of coverage and whether families would be provided transportation are being determined by a working group. Gates said he has asked the group to “quickly come up with a plan” to implement the new policy and explore “ways in which we might further assist the families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country.”

The decision also has the backing of the nation’s top officer. “I’m very supportive of the change,” said Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/02/military_caskets_photos_banlifted_022609w/%2e

[barbtries]

1. good call

many years late of course. perhaps we'll inch closer to ending the wars when the american people begin to get some idea of the real cost.