Arlington National Cemetery 10/31/03 (pics - sad)

[diamond14]

bush* lives in the WH, about 10 minute drive from Arlington National Cemetery...it's real pathetic that bush* couldn't find a few minutes to comfort this family in their grief...may this American Soldier Rest in Peace...




Christine Bellavia, center, wife of Army Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia, watches her husband's casket pass by during funeral services Friday, Oct. 31, 2003, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va. Sgt. Bellavia was killed in Iraq (news - web sites) on Oct. 16 as members of the 716th Military Police Battalion were trying to negotiate with a group of armed men who opened fired near a mosque in Karbala. Bellavia was from Wakefield, Mass., but made his home in Hendersonville, Tenn. Bellavia's father, Joseph Bellavia, is seen upper right. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)


The family of U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia hold their hands over their heart during military honors at Arlington Nation Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, October 31, 2003. Family members shown are Christine (2nd L), widow of Joseph F. Bellavia, the father Joseph Bellavia (3rd L), his twin brother Jonathan Bellavia (2nd R, glasses, and his brother Christopher (R). Bellavia was killed in Iraq (news - web sites) on October 16. REUTERS/Mannie Garcia



Joseph F. Bellavia, clutching a U.S. flag, touches the casket containing the remains of his son, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia








Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Bellavia's TWIN BROTHER Jonathan Bellavia (in sunglasses), and his brother Christopher

[greatauntoftriplets]

1. Thank you for this.

Sad, isn't it? On many levels.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Don't think Bush has visited any of the families, or services

Which figures. This is indeed a sad series of photos. Such a waste, in such an immoral war.

[diamond14]

15. faygokid...are you in Detroit ? that's the only place that I remember

drinking Faygo Pop....I can't find it here in Washington DC....

also, yes, I want as many people to see these photos as possible...I remember when we buried my cousin Charlie (killed in Vietnam, age 19, couldn't even vote, silver star, purple heart, sooo many lives wasted by OUR government, and soooo many families destroyed)

BRING OUR TROOPS HOME NOW !!!

[neuvocat]

3. Good lord that's a sad site indeed.

[diamond14]

4. President Clinton attending to the return of caskets from the bombing

of the United States Embassies in Africa....this is part of the President's duties...

and why isn't the 'pResident shrub' doing his job??





thanks to www.bartcop.com

[diamond14]

5. the Family must give permission for reporters to cover the funeral

This Family must want the World to see bush*s handiwork....how much blood for bush* oil cronies and war profiteers?

How long will America tolerate bush*'s perpetual wars...isn't it time to send bush* back to Texas forever?? or to the Haig for his war crimes?

[onebigbadwulf]

6. No

It was time to send him back to Texas 3 years ago.

[diamond14]

7. 'It was time to send him back to Texas 3 years ago'..true

very true...

[Nlighten1]

8. My twin brother is a Captain in the Army now.

I hope I don't end up at Arlington for his funeral.

[diamond14]

9. my cousin is IN arlington (Vietnam), and my nephew is serving

in Iraq right now...the funerals are tragic and it is shameful that bush* will not attend any funerals...it's a last respect for OUR soldiers and their families....bush* went AWOL and deserted his critical job here too, his mandate to show that the USA cares, by appearing at OUR soldiers funerals (90% of success is just showing up - Woody Allen)....shame on the shrub...

[DeepModem Mom]

10. Thank you -- these photos could speak for every lost soldier...

if Americans could see them, like this, through the Bush administration blackout. Young Americans are dying in battle without honor from their country, or their so-called Commander-in-Chief. It's unbearably sad, and shameful. We need to see that wife, that father, those brothers, our flag, and that coffin.

[diamond14]

11. it would mean so much to this Family for the shrub to go over and

shake their hands and thank them for their sacrifice...(it's a ten minute car ride from the WH to Arlington)....

I thought the shrub promised to 'hug' the wives....

and there is this soldiers widow....and a soldiers TWIN brother, brother, father....where is the shrub?

[UTUSN]

12. Thanks. Didn't Think ANY Pics Were Permitted.

And the Shrub is campaigning for BARBOUR and shuttling to the pig farm. No offense to pigs.

[diamond14]

13. Ft. Meyers trains special military just to handle the Families (link)

these CAO's stand by the Families the whole time, and are also responsible for the Families obtaining their desparately needed military survivor benefits....so, not too many photos get taken.
This Family was very brave to allow photos to be taken (and ultimately, that is the Family's decision, but lots of pressure put on Families to deny reporters the photos, there are few photos taken)...

-snips from Ft. Meyers web page-

RESPONDING TO THE MEDIA

Casualty Assistance Officers (CAO) assigned to support family members of soldiers may find themselves and/or family members
they are assigned to assist approached by local and national news media representatives seeking interviews. Here are some
suggestions to help, should this situation arise....
http://www.fmmc.army.mil/CAC%20Web/Media~1.htm

Ft. Meyers Casualty Affairs Resource Site
http://www.fmmc.army.mil/CAC%20Web/fmmccac~1.htm



Survivor assistance

main web link for Ft. Meyers...a whole base just for the funerals....
http://www.fmmc.army.mil/

[Clark Can WIN]

14. God help me........... but I HATE him.

It's not healthy, but I do. I hate him.