Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Air Force dumped ashes of more troops’ remains in Va. landfill than acknowledged
The Washington Post ^ | 12-7-2011 | Craig Whitlock and Mary Pat Flaherty

Posted on 12/07/2011 6:39:00 PM PST by bimboeruption

The Air Force dumped the incinerated partial remains of at least 274 American troops in a Virginia landfill, far more than the military had acknowledged, before halting the secretive practice three years ago, records show.

The landfill dumping was concealed from families who had authorized the military to dispose of the remains in a dignified and respectful manner, Air Force officials said. There are no plans, they said, to alert those families now.

The Air Force had maintained that it could not estimate how many troops might have had their remains sent to a landfill. The practice was revealed last month by The Washington Post, which was able to document a single case of a soldier whose partial remains were sent to the King George County landfill in Virginia. The new data, for the first time, show the scope of what has become an embarrassing episode for vaunted Dover Air Base, the main port of entry for America’s war dead.

The landfill disposals were never formally authorized under military policies or regulations. They also were not disclosed to senior Pentagon officials who conducted a high-level review of cremation policies at the Dover mortuary in 2008, records show.

Air Force and Pentagon officials said last month that determining how many remains went to the landfill would require searching through the records of more than 6,300 troops whose remains have passed through the mortuary since 2001.

“It would require a massive effort and time to recall records and research individually,” Jo Ann Rooney, the Pentagon’s acting undersecretary for personnel, wrote in a Nov. 22 letter to Rep. Rush D. Holt (D-N.J.).

Holt, who has pressed the Pentagon for answers on behalf of a constituent whose husband was killed in Iraq, accused the Air Force and Defense Department of hiding the truth.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: airforce; ashes; bhodod; doverafb; fallen; landfill; usaf
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-94 next last
What is happening to this country?
1 posted on 12/07/2011 6:39:08 PM PST by bimboeruption
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption
IDK but apparently this happened during the George Bush regime.
2 posted on 12/07/2011 6:45:34 PM PST by hinckley buzzard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

WTF?

Who in their right mind thought dumping the ashes of service men into a landfill was in any way appropriate?


3 posted on 12/07/2011 6:45:38 PM PST by Brookhaven
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

Let’s be very clear here. This WAS NOT done by Uniformed Airmen. This was done by UNION CIVILIANS who work for Air Force and DOD.

“The landfill disposals were never formally authorized under military policies or regulations.”


4 posted on 12/07/2011 6:46:23 PM PST by papasmurf (I pledge to vote (R). How 'bout you?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

This is shocking, outrageous, and unbelievable.


5 posted on 12/07/2011 6:48:42 PM PST by From The Deer Stand
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Brookhaven

“Who in their right mind thought dumping the ashes of service men into a landfill was in any way appropriate?”

Some Officer who was not in danger, and would look decidely awkward if he/she was handed an M-16.


6 posted on 12/07/2011 6:50:20 PM PST by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption
families who had authorized the military to dispose of the remains

Right there is the problem. If we don't love and respect our family members, why you expect ANY government agency to do so?

7 posted on 12/07/2011 6:51:01 PM PST by DJ MacWoW (America! The wolves are here! What will you do?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: papasmurf; Brookhaven

I can see that. I am disgusted. God Bless our soldiers and airmen. Damn, just effin damn. I am sick.


8 posted on 12/07/2011 6:52:09 PM PST by waterhill (Strawberry jello is wild pig crack, they love it more than life)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

But Osama got a full religious burial service at sea.


9 posted on 12/07/2011 6:54:35 PM PST by ladyjane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

Didn’t the AirForce just acknowledge wiccans and satanists? Do I have this right? If so this is what you get.


10 posted on 12/07/2011 6:54:41 PM PST by dennisw (A nation of sheep breeds a government of wolves!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: papasmurf

And where did those union civilans GET those remains?? No excuses,,,


11 posted on 12/07/2011 6:54:47 PM PST by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

What is happening to this country?
________________________________________________________

Cultural Marxism is rotting us from the core. Just like a three-week-old ham.


12 posted on 12/07/2011 6:57:30 PM PST by RushIsMyTeddyBear (A MUST WATCH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KeOLurcQaqI)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

When the Iowa’s turret blew up, sailors remains were tossed over the side and not part of any burial detail.


13 posted on 12/07/2011 6:59:52 PM PST by Molon Labbie (Occupiers- The world is watching....and alternatively laughing and vomiting)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: papasmurf

And where did those union civilans GET those remains?? No excuses,,, The civilians had no reason to go to a landfill except that no military solution existed. Of all the crap our military can spend money on. They can’t find a dignified way to despose of those remains and ashes?

How about burial at sea? Ships constantly depart. How about one common repository at Arlington?


14 posted on 12/07/2011 7:00:06 PM PST by DesertRhino (I was standing with a rifle, waiting for soviet paratroopers, but communists just ran for office)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

Bin Laden gets a full-honors burial at sea, yet our troops don’t warrant more than a ****ing DUMPING INTO A ****ING LANDFILL!!!!?????

WTF????????????

I can NOT believe this is happening in my country. It’s become so turd-world...


15 posted on 12/07/2011 7:01:43 PM PST by ScottinVA (I miss America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption
Air Force and Pentagon officials said last month that determining how many remains went to the landfill would require searching through the records of more than 6,300 troops whose remains have passed through the mortuary since 2001.

TOO EFFING BAD!!! GET ON IT!!!

16 posted on 12/07/2011 7:03:24 PM PST by ScottinVA (I miss America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bimboeruption

Just an unceremonious dumping of human ashes into a landfill.

I saw a place in which something similar was done to human ashes. It was called Auschwitz.

Yes, I feel that strongly about it.


17 posted on 12/07/2011 7:06:25 PM PST by ScottinVA (I miss America.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: DesertRhino
Or some lazy enlisted personnel who did not want to be bothered with the paper work.

By the way, my wife, who is an 0-4 in the AF, just finished M-16 training in preparation of her deployment to Afghan. Being a liaison for several commanders between different FOB in Afghanistan 'aint all peaches and cream despite being a “high and mighty” Officer.

18 posted on 12/07/2011 7:06:47 PM PST by rollo tomasi (Working hard to pay for deadbeats and corrupt politicians)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: ladyjane

“But Osama got a full religious burial service at sea.”

Right Friend...

Bin Laden’s burial was in accordance with Islamic law.
Our president made sure of that.


19 posted on 12/07/2011 7:07:45 PM PST by bimboeruption (Clinging to my Bible and my HK.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: All
Why wouldn't the fallen soldiers families want their loved ones buried with full military honors? I really don't understand this situation.
20 posted on 12/07/2011 7:12:22 PM PST by 4yearlurker (I've been dipping into my jar full of Hope & Change just to buy gas!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-94 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson