By John J. Kruzel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 2009 – The Defense Department will allow the news media to photograph the flag-draped caskets of fallen U.S. troops returning home if their families agree, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said today.
The announcement authorizes family members to choose whether to allow media access to the homecomings at Dover Air Force Base, Del., reversing a long-standing policy barring the press.
“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 Pentagon news conference.
“We ought
not to presume to make that decision in their place,” added Gates, who
began reviewing the policy at the request of President Barack Obama.
The
Defense Department’s choice to shift course was informed by sources
that include the military services and groups that represent military
families, the secretary said.
But the issue created divisions
within the department, Gates said, adding that he was rebuffed when he
broached the topic last year, before reaching out more broadly during
the most recent policy review.
“I had asked about changing the
policy in Dover over a year ago and, although when I got the response
that I did -- which recommended no change -- I accepted that at the
time,” he said. “I must say I was never comfortable with it.”
The
secretary has appointed a group to quickly develop a plan to implement
the policy, which reverses the restriction put in place by President
George H.W. Bush in 1991.
Under the blanket restriction, the
media has been barred from photographing the flag-draped caskets of
about 3,850 U.S. servicemembers killed in action since 2001.
“I
have tasked the working group to examine ways in which we might further
assist the families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice for
our country,” Gates said. He added that he expects the group to work
under “short deadlines.”
Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of
the Joint Chiefs of Staff, agreed that military families deserve
foremost consideration in dealing with such issues.
“We've
seen so many families go through so much, and in that, they have been
extraordinarily strong,” Mullen told reporters. “And meeting their
needs, their requests in the most dignified, respectful, focused way we
can was very much a driver for me in supporting this change.
“Because it is family-centric here more than anything else, I'm very, very supportive,” he added.
| Biographies: Robert M. Gates Navy Adm. Mike Mullen Related Sites: |
|
|
In MsMarti's opinion, if the press would self-police themselves and act like civilized adults, there would have been no need for a ban in the first place. When the press can't control themselves, then it should fall to their editors. If the industry as a whole won't maintain basic standards of decency and not be driven by "what sells" then others will have to take them to task. Thank goodness there are many in the blogosphere who do just that!
There is never an excuse to publish something that is in bad taste!
Does this sound like the pot calling the kettle black coming from me? Perhaps you would think so, however, I hope to never sink to that level of publishing, and if I should, then somebody should call me on it.
However, with that being said, we are a country that holds steadfast to its freedoms. Freedoms that many have fought and died to maintain. One of those freedoms is that of free speech, and a country where the press is not allowed to publish opinions and articles of their choosing is no longer a free country!
I would only hope that the press would choose to honor our fallen and treat the families with the utmost of respect, adhering to their wishes when it comes to this matter of photographing the ramp ceremonies and the flag draped coffins.
-MsMarti
Stumble It!
