A test for the media: coffins at Dover

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Thursday, February 26, 2009 - 9:46 PM Share

The Pentagon is lifting the ban on the coverage of coffins being flown home from overseas.

This is going to be a real test for the media. Nowhere do emotions run higher than in the death of a child or spouse. And nowhere on Earth are there people more insensitive than a TV crew trying to get a good shot. I speak as someone who has been stepped on, elbowed, and camera-clobbered by those guys.

EXPLORE:MILITARY

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JDSHEPHERD

3:14 PM ET

February 27, 2009

The Returning Dead

The significance of this decision is, I think, more a matter of perception than fact. As the videotape of military funerals ran as background to the report on this decision last night, I noted that there have, over the past several years, been plenty of opportunities for TV crews to shoot flag-draped coffins. What was at issue was the "blackout" that was imposed - by the political leadership - between the death of a service member and their return to their home town. That "blackout" served no useful purpose.

Permitting the media to record the arrival ceremonies will not provide unrestrained access to the press (Dover AFB is a military installation after all). What it will do is show, once again, that the Armed Forces treat their departed comrades' remains with dignity and respect.

CHARLESF

6:02 PM ET

February 27, 2009

I imagine that the families

I imagine that the families will not only decide whether there will be any media coverage, but also how much coverage there will be and perhaps set a limit of one camera team.

Here in Germany we have public coverage and it's always been dignified, from what I've seen.

This whole ban was politically motivated and it is only right for the families to be the ones who decide these matters.

LARRY LINN

10:34 PM ET

February 28, 2009

Honor the fallen veterans.

I am alive because of the valor of Dave Judy and Ed Rosa. I was at Ft. Ord, recovering after being shot when I received a letter from Ed, that Dave was killed in action in Cambodia. I was still in the hospital, and could not attend his Memorial service, but when I visited Washington D.C., I made a point of visiting the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and looking up his name. There is no shame of photographs of the caskets of American heroes. The shame and blood is on the hands of neo-cons that sent our soldiers and sailors to die based upon the lies of the Bush/Cheneny Chickenhawks. Whenever I saw a flag draped coffin or driven past a military cemetery, I always saluted.