DoD to bring families to Dover if they choose

[unhappycamper]

DoD to bring families to Dover if they choose
By Anne Gearan - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Mar 18, 2009 15:52:11 EDT

WASHINGTON — The Pentagon said Wednesday it will pay for families of fallen soldiers to travel to the Delaware base where the U.S. military’s deceased are flown from overseas.

The change is part of the Obama administration’s plan to reverse an 18-year ban on news coverage of the return of war dead, allowing photographs of flag-covered caskets when families of those killed agree.

One objection to lifting the ban had been that if the media were present, some families might feel obligated to come to Dover Air Base for the return ceremony. The ceremony takes place with or without the family in attendance.

The Defense Department notified Congress this week that along with allowing the media to record the return of military coffins, it will bring families to the base if they want to be there.

The Pentagon said the person designated as “primary next of kin” will decide on behalf of families whether to allow media coverage. In the case of married service members, that means a spouse.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_pentagon_dover_families_031809/%2e