Defense Secretary Robert Gates has notified members of Congress of the official lifting of the Bush-era ban on media access to deceased soldiers arriving at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.
Gates’ move was previewed two weeks ago, but today’s guidance symbolizes the end of an era in which the human costs of war were essentially hidden from the American public. TPMDC has obtained a copy of the Pentagon’s memo on the new proposal, which you can view after the jump.
Information for Members of Congress
Subject: Media Access to Dignified Transfers at Dover Air Force Base
Secretary of Defense Gates has directed the Department of Defense to implement a policy that allows media access to the dignified transfer of remains at Dover Air Force Base: “After receiving input from a number of sources, including all of the military services and organizations representing military families, 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. We ought not presume to make that decision in their place.”
The top priorities during the dignified transfer of remains process are and will continue to be returning the fallen military member with dignity, honor and respect, and providing superior care, service and support to the families of the deceased.
The fundamental precept of our new policy is, as Secretary Gates stated: “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. We ought not presume to make that decision in their place.”
Media access will require the positive consent of the Primary Next of Kin.
In keeping with our commitment to families, DoD is expanding its support to those wishing to attend the dignified transfer at Dover. This will include paying for travel to Dover for several family members and increasing the availability of grief counseling services, chaplain support, and public affairs support to families wishing to speak with the media.
Our goal remains to return our fallen heroes to their families as quickly as possible. Fallen heroes are transported to Dover AFB utilizing the first aircraft available to perform this critical mission. In some cases, the first available aircraft is a commercial aircraft vice a U.S. military aircraft. The dignified transfer process and procedures remain the same regardless of the type of aircraft utilized.
