Comments on: America needs to see the coffins-Updated with Poll http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=america-see-the-coffins A blog about Military Issues, Afghanistan, and everything in between Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:09:21 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: WOTN http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2835 WOTN Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:45:09 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2835 I find myself in disagreement yet again, but my arguments against the shift in policy differ with most. I find your rules for coverage and your arguments for why well intentioned, but it comes down to my experience with the media and my total lack of trust in them. http://waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2009/02/political-decisions-compromise-on-the-photography-of-the-fallen-not-well-thought-out.html I too have served in the grave honor of escort for a fallen friend and the jackals of journalism reminded me then of why I find their profession as a whole, dishonorable and disrespectful. The VFW magazine had an article about a year ago on the difference between respectful honorsversus disrespectful politicization of our fallen. They did as well of a job of covering it without clearly stating that the war protestors were wrong as can be done with "objectivity." Bottom Line: If I thought your rules would be adhered to, I'd support it, but I don't. And I don't think the jackals of journalism should be allowed anywhere near a family member in their grief. Fortunately, my family is fully aware that my sacrifices shall never be allowed the politicization of the press. I find myself in disagreement yet again, but my arguments against the shift in policy differ with most. I find your rules for coverage and your arguments for why well intentioned, but it comes down to my experience with the media and my total lack of trust in them. waronterrornews.typepad.com/home/2009/02/political-decisions-compromise-on-the-photography-of-the-fallen-not-well-thought-out.html

I too have served in the grave honor of escort for a fallen friend and the jackals of journalism reminded me then of why I find their profession as a whole, dishonorable and disrespectful.

The VFW magazine had an article about a year ago on the difference between respectful honorsversus disrespectful politicization of our fallen. They did as well of a job of covering it without clearly stating that the war protestors were wrong as can be done with “objectivity.”

Bottom Line: If I thought your rules would be adhered to, I’d support it, but I don’t. And I don’t think the jackals of journalism should be allowed anywhere near a family member in their grief.

Fortunately, my family is fully aware that my sacrifices shall never be allowed the politicization of the press.

]]> By: S2H http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2830 S2H Fri, 27 Feb 2009 13:48:10 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2830 David M. and Carol make excellent points...Public vs. private time. Until the Soldier arrives home, he is a "brave, true warrior" and perhaps under this title the public(as members of the country the Soldier if from) should be entitled to pay their respects by viewing ceremonies...until it becomes private time. Then it should be hands-off, so that the family can mourn without having to worry about cameras and the likes. David M. and Carol make excellent points…Public vs. private time. Until the Soldier arrives home, he is a “brave, true warrior” and perhaps under this title the public(as members of the country the Soldier if from) should be entitled to pay their respects by viewing ceremonies…until it becomes private time. Then it should be hands-off, so that the family can mourn without having to worry about cameras and the likes.

]]> By: Afghan&Military Blog » Blog Archive » Poll on Media access to Dover http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2828 Afghan&Military Blog » Blog Archive » Poll on Media access to Dover Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:26:20 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2828 [...] the problem is now fixed and the polls work. The polls is at the bottom of the posting located at http://blog.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/ or you can vote on the sidebar. Share and [...] [...] the problem is now fixed and the polls work. The polls is at the bottom of the posting located at blog.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/ or you can vote on the sidebar. Share and [...]

]]> By: Elaine M. http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2825 Elaine M. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 04:42:26 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2825 Many may agree that grief is private...And certainly our fallen warriors & their families deserve that private time. Americans should also acknowledge the loss of a brave service member. My true feeling is that many Americans do not remember that we are at war(s). They don't feel any sacrifice, no food or gas rations, nor have their neighborhoods been occupied by an enemy. These people go about their lives, with no true comprehension that we are at war. I am not advocating that MSM sensationalize flag-draped coffins. But maybe, just maybe, a Ramp Ceremony or respectful media coverage of our fallen men & women at Dover AFB, would remind all those citizens at the mall that we are at war. Many may agree that grief is private…And certainly our fallen warriors & their families deserve that private time. Americans should also acknowledge the loss of a brave service member. My true feeling is that many Americans do not remember that we are at war(s). They don’t feel any sacrifice, no food or gas rations, nor have their neighborhoods been occupied by an enemy. These people go about their lives, with no true comprehension that we are at war. I am not advocating that MSM sensationalize flag-draped coffins. But maybe, just maybe, a Ramp Ceremony or respectful media coverage of our fallen men & women at Dover AFB, would remind all those citizens at the mall that we are at war.

]]> By: Sandi S. http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2824 Sandi S. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:27:55 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2824 I like your rules Troy. I agree that Americans need to see the true cost of war. It's very important that they are not just numbers passing by. My worry is that msm might overstep the boundaries and be disrespectful of the soldiers and the families. I never want to see that happen. Those who have fallen and their families are my first concern and always will be. I like your rules Troy. I agree that Americans need to see the true cost of war. It’s very important that they are not just numbers passing by. My worry is that msm might overstep the boundaries and be disrespectful of the soldiers and the families. I never want to see that happen. Those who have fallen and their families are my first concern and always will be.

]]> By: Carol Steward http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2823 Carol Steward Fri, 27 Feb 2009 03:15:06 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2823 Well I don't see how anyone can distinquish who's family member is in which casket. Do they announce that? If not; then what is the big deal? To me a flag covered casket means a brave, true warrior returned home. As with anytime the media makes derogatory remarks; we just have to consider the source and ignore them. It may help to have security around when they arrive at Dover (maybe they do; I don't know because they have never shown us the arrivals) just in case some of those idiots that have interrupted funerals recently should show up. BTW your blog above about David's casket arriving made me cry from just reading it. I know that had to really upset you and Christine. Well I don’t see how anyone can distinquish who’s family member is in
which casket. Do they announce that? If not; then what is the big deal?
To me a flag covered casket means a brave, true warrior returned home.
As with anytime the media makes derogatory remarks; we just have to
consider the source and ignore them. It may help to have security around
when they arrive at Dover (maybe they do; I don’t know because they have
never shown us the arrivals) just in case some of those idiots that have
interrupted funerals recently should show up. BTW your blog above about
David’s casket arriving made me cry from just reading it. I know that had
to really upset you and Christine.

]]> By: SK http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2821 SK Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:38:45 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2821 Unfortunately my family has had several dealings with "the press" and not once have they reported the true facts. I will NEVER trust what they say or print, so I wouldn't allow them anywhere near those caskets with a camera and a mic. Not ever. Unfortunately my family has had several dealings with “the press” and not once have they reported the true facts. I will NEVER trust what they say or print, so I wouldn’t allow them anywhere near those caskets with a camera and a mic. Not ever.

]]> By: Mainer http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2820 Mainer Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:49:58 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2820 I kind of agree with Haole Wahine. I can easily see the MSM using these ceremonies in negative ways. It only takes one screw up to skew the view point of many. How many stories have people heard lately about things that were reported to happen in Iraq (Haddith (spelling??) Dam, for instance) and since the MSM said they were guilty, they were! (Well, to many. Some of us actually have minds and brains that are not brainwashed and allow us to be free thinkers.) As a member of the Patriot Guard, we honor the families wishes. If they decline our request to stand honor, we do not attend- even though we want to show our respect for the person's service. We honor their request. I can honestly not see the MSM doing that. Remember, sensationalism sells- not honestly and integrity. Linda I kind of agree with Haole Wahine. I can easily see the MSM using these ceremonies in negative ways. It only takes one screw up to skew the view point of many. How many stories have people heard lately about things that were reported to happen in Iraq (Haddith (spelling??) Dam, for instance) and since the MSM said they were guilty, they were! (Well, to many. Some of us actually have minds and brains that are not brainwashed and allow us to be free thinkers.)

As a member of the Patriot Guard, we honor the families wishes. If they decline our request to stand honor, we do not attend- even though we want to show our respect for the person’s service. We honor their request. I can honestly not see the MSM doing that.

Remember, sensationalism sells- not honestly and integrity.

Linda

]]> By: Bouhammer http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2817 Bouhammer Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:02:43 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2817 I understand your concern, but back then there were no rules or guidelines. BTW, I fixed the poll. I understand your concern, but back then there were no rules or guidelines. BTW, I fixed the poll.

]]> By: Bouhammer http://www.bouhammer.com/2009/02/america-see-the-coffins/comment-page-1/#comment-2816 Bouhammer Thu, 26 Feb 2009 20:01:49 +0000 http://blog.bouhammer.com/?p=2905#comment-2816 David, I think that it will only take the press screwing it up a time or two and a few bad apples will ruin it for all the rest of the press. Rule #4 should keep them from ever screwing up. The poll was screwed up. I forgot to include the word "NOT" in the 1st answer choice. Sorry about that. I fixed it now. David, I think that it will only take the press screwing it up a time or two and a few bad apples will ruin it for all the rest of the press. Rule #4 should keep them from ever screwing up. The poll was screwed up. I forgot to include the word “NOT” in the 1st answer choice. Sorry about that. I fixed it now.

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