America needs to face the cost of war

After a recent discussion concerning the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, with some friends, relatives and acquaintances, I am convinced it is time to start publicizing those flag-draped coffins arriving at Dover Air Force Base.

It is time to lift President Bush’s and the Pentagon’s directive that bans news coverage and photographs of dead military personnel arriving at Ramstein Germany or Dover air bases. The ban, we are told, is out of respect to the families. It also protects presidents from losing public support.

My discussion group is part of the majority in this country who are against the war, yet they seldom keep abreast of the war news, such as it is. Mix in the rumor that news organizations may withdraw from Iraq after the November presidential election and we’ve added more fuel to ennui and indifference.

The atmosphere reeks of selfishness, ignorance, apathy and unpatriotic overtones. The national anthem, the Pledge of Allegiance, flag pins, and flag waving have little effect assuaging our “crisis of conscience.” To bring us out of this coma requires the “shock and awe” of publicly showing those flag-draped coffins arriving at Dover with honor and respect.

By the way, the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs at Dover, reminded me that coffin is an incorrect term. It is either a “transfer case” when the fallen hero is transported from theater by the 436th Airlift Wing to Dover, or “casket” when preparations are complete and the hero is transported from Dover to his/her loved ones at the final destination. If we show those flag-draped “transfer cases,” would we be disrespectful to the families? I think not, since most are given local publicity once they return to their final home resting place.

 It is your constitutional prerogative to approve or disapprove of the war, but you have no right to be indifferent to the men and women in harm’s way for your sake and mine. Lift the publicity ban and force America to look in that mirror of a TV screen, or the photograph in a newspaper, to see that casualties are more than numbers. Those flag-draped “transfer cases” would solemnly remind us that our brothers and sisters are still dying on foreign soil and they are a part of us and deserve our remembrance, gratitude, respect and prayers

I give you President John Adams’ toast: Independence forever.