‘It's OK, Eddie. Dad's here.' (Thank you Obama for the policy change)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100711/NEWS01/707119919#it-s-ok-eddie-dad-s-here

By Henry J. Cordes
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

Tom Wood stood on the tarmac at Delaware's Dover Air Force Base Wednesday to welcome his son home from the Afghanistan war.

As he looked on, seven solemn soldiers in camouflage fatigues and white gloves bore the flag-draped casket carrying Army Pfc. Edwin Wood of Omaha.

The soldiers moved with crisp, choreographed precision as they glided past two officers — one an Army general — who stood in salute to the fallen warrior.

It isn't the kind of war homecoming Wood or any parent hopes for.

Still, the journey to Dover and the dignity and respect in honoring his son's sacrifice moved Wood, aiding him in coping with his grief.

“It's an amazing experience,'' the Omaha man said in an interview from Dover that day. “I'm glad I was able to see it.”

Until about a year ago, the ceremony in Dover was something few outside the military were able to see.

But the Obama administration reversed a nearly two-decade Pentagon policy that barred news organizations from observing or photographing the return of service members' bodies from overseas. And the new policy did more than allow media access.

It openly invited families into the ritual the U.S. military refers to as “dignified transfer.” The federal government now pays to fly next of kin to Dover to witness the return of their loved one from overseas battlegrounds to American soil.

With that change, the traditional ceremony in Dover has been transformed into a meaningful part of the healing process for families of the fallen.

FULL story and 6 photos at link.

[Spazito]

1. Very moving...

Thanks for posting the article, it is much appreciated.

[LWolf]

2. That's nice.

Even better? Instead of investing funds to transport military families to welcome their dead home, end wars and bring them home alive.

Quit sending 18 yo boys to the middle east to die.

I'm glad that Eddie's dad was there to welcome him home. :cry:

[sandnsea]

3. That's nice. EOM

[myrna minx]

4. K&R n/t

[petersjo02]

5. That ripped my heart out.

Not much more to say.

[Frustratedlady]

6. I wasn't aware Obama had made that change, but then...

...we don't hear of the good things he does.

A very touching story. Mr. Woods looks like he's borne much worry, as well. They silently lose them and we go about our business.

Bless them all.

[katandmoon]

7. How touching that family members can now see their dead sons and daughters return dead in a box

for the sake of a pointless unwinnable war.

Yep, that's progress all right.

[w4rma]

8. Good. (nt)

[leeroysphitz]

9. This was worth my vote all by itself.

The despicable Bush admin should have all been kicked out of office for hiding our fallen soldiers as though their sacrifice was somehow shameful.

[Skittles]

10. yes - great that dead soldiers can be welcomed

[Stinky The Clown]

11. Good for Obama for opening this up. Not so good for keeping up the circumstances that keep ......

.... a steady stream of dead guys in boxes coming home from a war that is neither winnable nor worth fighting.

If this was posted to somehow gain a few "awww, ain't he doing a great job" comments for the president, it failed.

There is no good damned reason for more dead guys in camos coming home in boxes.

[Omaha Steve]

12. Honor the Fallen Warrior

Not the WAR!

I knew Eddie for a couple years. I will remember him as a kid that didn't look old enough to shave. He did not belong in this war. Some kid of Congresspersons that voted for the war should have been there.

[Stinky The Clown]

13. I've been honoring warriors for far too long.

Steve, I appreciate the perspective. To be honest I made my comment not seeing the OP author. Had I seen who was posting it, I may have chosen to either not reply or reply differently.

I honor Eddie. I honor every damned one of the dead guys in boxes who comes home that way.

I also see by your reply that we agree. These damned wars need to end now.

[Omaha Steve]

15. No Problem

Young women are dying in this war too. Lets not forget that.

[Usrename]

23. I can't seem to look past the racist underpinnings of this conflict.

I can't help but feel that if the Afghanis or the Iraqis were white then we would not be killing them, would we? This feeling makes it difficult for me to honor anyone who would volunteer to go kill these people. I do try to make a conscious distinction between those whose volunteered before the conflict began and those who came later.

[Scurrilous]

14. K & R

:thumbsup:

[BrklynLiberal]

16. .....

:cry:

[GeorgeGist]

17. Welcome home ...

Obama's dead soldiers.

[Omaha Steve]

19. I don't think that shows any respect to these soldiers

Protest the war on another post.

[GeorgeGist]

Welcome home ...

Obama's dead soldiers.

[GeorgeGist]

18. Welcome home ...

Obama's dead soldiers.

[Oceansaway]

20. K&R...n/t

[Omaha Steve]

21. Thank you

It looks like most of the DU doesn't agree with you.

[Yuugal]

22. K&R