Flag-embossed containers now being used to transport remains

[spindrifter]

By Jeff Schogol, Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, November 22, 2006

ARLINGTON, Va. — Fallen servicemembers and Defense Department civilians are now being transported home in flag-embossed containers after two instances in which the remains were not handled correctly on commercial aircraft, according to the head of Army mortuary affairs.

Col. Pat Gawkins, director of the Army Casualty and Mortuary Operations Center, said the change is meant to ensure that the remains are treated with “care and concern.”

“We don’t want them coming off mixed with luggage and handled in an improper way because someone on the ground didn’t realize what’s going on,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

<snip>

The Defense Department is not releasing pictures of the honor covers because a permanent design has not yet been decided upon, Upton said.

<more--re investigation of deaths, not embossed containers>

http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=41669

[partylessinOhio]

1. Containers??????????????

These cheap a$$ bustards

cannot afford caskets any longer?

[WindRavenX]

2. transfer tubes

...

[Richard Steele]

3. So which B*sh-crony got the no-bid contract for these new "containers"?

And am I just being CYNICAL when I suspect that
the REAL reason no pictures are being released
is that these things are tupperware-quality crap
costing us several thousand $$$ per unit?

[spindrifter]

4. Well, supposedly they are in use now!

How would you feel if you found out your loved one came home in the crummy design container.

[Horse with no Name]

5. Containers?

What? Like Tupperware?
They emboss a flag on it (can't spring for a REAL flag), can't spring for a real casket...sorry soldier, since you can't pick up a gun and fight our imperial wars, we no longer give a shit about ya.
So sorry for your luck.
:mad: