Army defends transporting of dead to U.S. on commercial flights

Stars and Stripes ^ | December 14, 2005 | Leo Shane III,

[don-o]

Can't remember where I read a day by day account of an officer (NCO?) Marine, iirc, accompanying his fallen comrade to his final rest. I believe it was to West VA.

Again from memory, except for the actual flight, the body was never left alone

[mtbopfuyn]

Huh? What's her point?

[Wristpin]

I read the message but didn't see where the Marines require ceremonial honor guard at the destination airport.

[don-o]

Yup

That is the story I was recalling

[carolinablonde]

I wonder if we could find the exact bill that made this practice into law? Wouldn't it be a hoot if Botoxer actually voted for it?

Anybody good at searching thomas.gov to find the resolution number and when it was passed?

[dubyawhoiluv]

I could only hope and pray that the GOP research and post all of the anti-military comments and attacks thru the years on the military by the DEMS to show their true colors; hell I would do it if I knew how. If anyone knows how to research statements could you contact me, we should use this front and center for every election when these phony rats go on and on about we support the troops

[rlmorel]

Thank you for the first hand experience. I am certain that any employee who knows they are military remains treats them with respect.

[A.A. Cunningham]

4. THE NAVY PROVIDES FUNDING FOR ONE MARINE ESCORT. THE ESCORT WILL ACCOMPANY THE MARINE TO THE FINAL PLACE OF DISPOSITION. ONCE AT THE FINAL PLACE OF DISPOSITION, RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE MARINE IS PASSED TO THE ASSIGNED CASUALTY ASSISTANCE CALLS OFFICER (CACO) AND SERVICING FUNERAL HOME. PRIOR TO PASSING RESPONSIBILITY, THE ESCORT AND CACO WILL INVENTORY ANY PERSONAL EFFECTS THAT MAY HAVE ACCOMPANIED THE MARINE. THE ESCORT SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH THE COMMAND REPRESENTATIVE WHO MAY BE SENT TO THE FUNERAL BY THE COMMAND, AT THE COMMAND'S EXPENSE.

The local CACO coordinates the receiving ceremony at the final destination.

Embedded in the message I originally linked to was the following reference, which you apparently failed to notice: REF/A/MCO P3040.4E/-/-//

Which is: Marine Corps Casualty Procedures Manual

See Chapter 5 Section 7 - Escort Responsibilities

[Wristpin]

I see no requirement in the reference for a receiving ceremony at the airport.

Chapter 5-Paragraph 7 item e specifies that the Flag is installed by the escort in the freight area just before transporting the Marine to the funeral home.

I coordinated honor guards for over 200 funerals and we were never tasked with performing ceremonies at the airport.