"what we wanted.. to ensure the honor, dignity was given to all fallen heroes regardless of rank"

[sabra]

http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/10761606/detail.html



A local couple whose son was killed In Iraq can claim a victory after a fight to change the way the bodies of military personnel are returned home.



John and Stacey Holley's son Matthew, an Army specialist, was killed 14 months ago. The couple was outraged when they learned that his body would be brought home in the cargo hold of a commercial airliner -- and likely be carted off by baggage handlers. Ever since then, they have been working to change the policy.



"When somebody lays down their life willingly for this country, they deserve every bit of respect from this country for the sacrifice that they've made," said John Holley.



Dignity, respect and honor for the country's fallen heroes has been the driving force for the Holleys, whose son was killed by a roadside bomb in Iraq in November 2005.



"I'm the one who has to live with that memory, and I don't want to see my kid brought to me on a forklift," John Holley told NBC 7/39.



The Holleys fought to get their son's body escorted off the plane by an honor guard.



After their struggle, the couple worked for national change. This year, a new law went into effect that a plane transporting the remains of a military member cannot be used for any other purpose unless the family requests otherwise.



Stacey Holley said it is a policy that will be consistent across all branches of the military.



"That's what we wanted ... to ensure the honor, dignity was given to all fallen heroes regardless of what branch or rank," she said.



A Michigan air charter company has received an $11 million, six-month contract to bring home the bodies of the American military men and women killed in Iraq.

[rosesaylavee]

1. Because of their work, Msgt Shawn Richardson was honored properly

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/community/opinion/ONLINE.AT.BLIED.1.1/

Gary Blied: Solemn flight delivers airman to final resting place
By Gary Blied

On Dec. 3, I was the co-pilot for American Airlines Flight 1904, traveling from Chicago to Miami.

We were informed at the gate that the remains of Master Sgt. Shawn Richardson would shortly be loaded on our flight.

-snipped-

As we approached the ramp, we noticed the lights. There were at least a half-dozen fire trucks, no fewer than 15 police cars and countless other vehicles. The fire trucks saluted our arrival with crossed streams of water shooting over the aircraft. My first seven years of service were in the Air Force Crash Fire Rescue Department. There is no higher salute from the fire department.

We parked the aircraft and shut down. After our checklists, Capt. Jeff Wallace and I went to the ramp level and observed the unpacking of the casket, then the dressing with a flag. It was accepted by the bearer team which was composed of members of the Miami-Dade Police Department and Air Force honor guard.

-snipped-

Great story - highly recommend following the link and reading it all.