The Oregonian April 27, 2004
Letters
Don't hide these coffins
Why are we hiding the flag-draped coffins of our fallen? It looks more like we are bringing them home in shame.
Deputy under secretary of defense John Molino said on April 22, "To be very frank with you, we don't want the remains of our service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice to be the subject of any kind of attention that is unwarranted or undignified" (www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/04/mil-040422-dod03.htm).
When President Kennedy died, the entire country paid tribute to his flag-draped coffin as it was drawn by horses in our nation's capital. The coffins of our fallen returning from Iraq deserve to be treated with high honors, for all to see. That kind of attention would be both warranted and dignified.
CLIFFORD SHAW Southeast Portland
© Copyright 2004, The Oregonian
