Honoring the Fallen
I have a brother and a nephew serving in the U.S. military, and I grew up in a military town. I have tremendous respect not only for those men and women in uniform but also for their families. So this is one of those stories that is of great interest to me.
For many years – since 1991, to be exact - when Americans lost their lives in the line of duty, TV cameras were not allowed at the airport when their bodies were brought back to the U.S. But a new Pentagon policy has changed that.
One important fact to note about the policy change: In order for the cameras to be present, the family of the fallen serviceman or servicewoman must agree to allow media coverage.
On Sunday, cameras were at Dover Air Force Base when the body of Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers returned home.
Our production team thought it was important to tell you about this story, which we do in Tuesday's show, but to not show the actual video out of sensitivity to our audience. We know a lot of you have parents and siblings serving overseas, and some of you are in the service. But we do want to know your opinion of the new policy. Do you think that the media should be allowed to show the caskets of fallen servicemen and women, or do you think that cameras should not be allowed?
Donna Krache, Executive Producer
I think that it should be up to the fallen men/womens family weather they are okay with them filming them or not.
That decision should be left to the family members of those deceased people, although I really think that shouldn't be done at all. Those who died for our country should be able to rest in peace, not get flashed by camera lights.
I Think that if the family is ok ,or wants the casket to be showen then it should be allowed. If it where me I whouldn't want my family or my casket to be showen.
Yes, I agree with Melody. The veteran's family should be able to decide wether cameras are allowed or not. Some families might want the cameras, but others families may not.
It's up to the family Carl. If they want the filming in it's nice that the Fallen will be Honored and Remembered in the Line of Duty.
I send my remorse to Sgt. Myers and his family. Although I didn't know him, he was another hero like those who have fallen before him.
About taking pictures of the coffin. Yeah, why not? I mean coffins are not national treasure, right? So we don't have to be that careful about flashes destroying the coffin. And I think taking pictures of the coffin helps people to feel more patriotism then not taking the pictures.
May the brave souls reborn in another peaceful world.
I really think that it should be up to the family members no matter if there is a policy or not. But in my own opinion, nothing against the media, I think that this stuff shouldn't be shown on camera. It is very depressing.
I believe that as men and women have served in the U.S. miltitary, we proudly should allow the cameras to show their casket. This will give us a chance to honor them even being far, because of them we are able to sleep peacefully. This also would allow us to know the ranks they have served and would set an example to the young ones of what bravery is. But I do agree to melody also that it depends on the family.
I believe that it should be up to the fallen soliders' family. If they say they are okay with the media filming it then let it be done.
There are a few factors involved when considering this dilemma. First of all, if a family of the fallen soldier would be offended because of media coverage, then, whether there is an open policy or not, there should not be any cameras or photos allowed of the procession. This is out of respect for the family, and should be honored, because by honoring the family you honor the soldier that has fallen, having died for his country.
I wonder, why does there need to be media coverage of the casket coming in from the war zone? Why would it be necessary to show images of said scene, except to fill up air space while the reporter elaborated on the details for the news story. I am a daughter of a man in the news, and so I am aware that in videography, sometimes images are just shown while the reporter is talking, just to have an image. If this is the only reason that people can truly come up with for having media coverage when a soldier's body is brought back home, then perhaps that is not quite worth it. Unless someone can give better significance to media coverage.
Each soldier is honorable, and in that, the wishes of their family should be considered. If they would prefer a media coverage for their use and benefit, then that should be allowed and a copy provided for them.
I don't see any reason why they shouldn't allow cameras to show the caskets. It's not like they're showing the corpses.
I think the decision should be left up to the family. If they say it is okay to have it flimed then it should be filmed.
I think if one of my family members died in the war i wouldn't want anyone to take a picture of them and honor their sole by living them by them self.So thats what I think about honoring the fallen soliders.
I think that the media should be able to report it so that the family member that died can be honored by the whole country. They died as a hero helping the United States, so they should be honored but of course if the family doesn't wan't it to be reported then the media should not report it like the family said.
I think that the new law is a great way to tell the american people about the men and women that died for their country. But at the same time letting the family's that want privacy with their loved ones spend time by themselves. If I was somebody who died during a war for the USA it would be an honor to be presented with the american flag, and to show the people how the soldiers are hero's.
i think that you should really ask before you broadcast things like that if not you'll have a pretty big problem on your hands . other wise i say we should honor those who served for us .
I think that the media should check with all of the families first and honor what the family wants. I wouldn't want to have my loved ones casket being shown to everyone without my consent!
They give their lives for our nation. They should be honored by letting the world see that they died for America and its people.
I personally believe that privacy should be given to those serivce men and women who gave their lives for our country. Out of respect for their family members who are griefing over their lost loved one, I would not want cameras showing the arrival of their return. The World does not need to be in their personal business at that time.
I agree with Melody. It should depend on how the family of the soldier feels about it. It should be their decision about filming, no one else's.
I think this is a good idea. I like how it is left up to the family whether or not to allow media coverage. By letting the family decide, it protects the privacy of some families who may not want the media filming or photographing their lost loved one.
I think that the family members should be able to tell the camera man or what not if they can video tape because they did something for our country and out of respect we should do something for them/their family
Showing the bodies of fallen soldiers would send an impacting message to US citizens. I understand how it can be disrespectful, but with the families consent, I don't see any major problem with it.
I think that this is a good way to honor those who were brave and to raise awareness about whats going on overseas. This is pretty great.
I agree with the last post. We should all respect the wish of the grieving familly. But for me, who doesn't have a religion, it really doesn't matter. Death is the end of life. In this sense, the body is merely an object which can no longer be qualifed as a person. But hey, it's easy for me to say. Maybe I would completely change my opinion if I do know someone in service.
I believe it completely depends on what the family thinks. If they say yes, then go ahead. If they say no, get your cameras out of there. Besides that, I don't see the harm or the privacy invasion if permission has been given. It also sends a message about the sacrifices caused by war.
Well i am a daughter of a combat medic soldier and i think the media should be aloud to honor the men who have bravely fought for our country.. BUT the family needs to be able to approve of the situation.
I think as long as the family says its okay then its okay. I mean, you can't shelter America forever from the horrors of war.
i personally think that coffins of U.S. should be seen by the news because people should know about a person who has risked there life for our country and i think people need to be more appreciative of that
i think its a good idea making it to where the families of the fallen need to give permission but some media have always had issues following those types of rules.
I think that coffins of the U.S. soldiers should not be seen when they return home! For real how stupid can you be it is like disturbing the peace. LET THEM BE!
i think that if the people showing the coffins in the media get consent from the family then it should be ok to show the coffins. showing the coffins gives Americans a way to see the fallen heros and realize that we have friends and family members sacrificing their lives for us.
The family of the solider should decide. If it was up to me i would not want it to be on TV. It is a private matter and they should be remembered while they were alive not passed away. However to each is own.
I think it should be more of a private issue unless the persons family is okay with them being publicly shown.
i think its more of a personal matter.And that the family should get to decide weather or not the showing of their loved ones coffin should be veiwed publicly.
I think that the coffins of the deceased soldiers should be shown on television because dead soldiers are a part of war and the media already sensors to much of the war away from television.
its not an open casket, just an anonymous person to us inside a box with a flag marking that the person died in combat for our country. the sadness of witnessing these scenes raise awareness and could bring us together in times of trouble.
i think cameras should be able to show the caskets. They news report said the family had to okay it, and thats who it would really affect. If the family believes it will do the country some good, to show their suffering to make everyone else understand how serious the matter, than more power to them. Ultimately it should be up to the families. People do not have to watch TV if they dont want to see it.
I think that it is a good idea to honor the fallen while they are coming out of the plan in a casket to show support for those who fight and give lives for our country every day, But I also think that if the families do not want it to be shown on TV than it should be their decision. After all dead or not you deserve your privacy.
I don't see any problem with it, if the families say it is fine then they should be able to show the coffin. It will show America that war is not a joke and it really is going on in the world today.
I think that as long as the families give consent I don’t see any problem with it. I understand how it could be disrespectful or make it so people wont want to join the service but you know that going into it that there is a chance you may not come back. Also, it’s showing respect to the fallen if you nationally broadcast their coffin with a draped flag because it shows that they have served their country and done their duties.
I don't have a really strong opinion on this because there are good and bad on either end. If it is shown on the news, it can be a powerful impact of America but it could also be very upsetting for a lot of people and possibly show thing that some people may not want to see.
I believe it should be up to the families. If the family says it's ok I think that they should be able to have it video taped. It gives us one last chance to honor them. To show them the respect they deserve for fighting and giving their lives up for us.
I think that descision should be for the family to decide, since it's their family member.
i think we should have the coffins shown on telivision because it would impact peaples lives by showing people the bad side of the war. And it wouldn't invade anyone personal life because the family members are asked if they would like to show the coffin.
There isn't really that much of a problem with the media showing the coffins. It could ruin the privacy of some families and may lead to discouraging many people into the war but after all that, there isn't much of a problem as long as there is family permission to show the coffin through media.
I think that coffins of U.S. soldiers should be reveled. I think so because this shows the true honor they gave us, and we as the citizens should remember them and be thankful for what they did. Also to the families whose son or daughter that was lost can live knowing that everyone knows they died with great honor for the United States.
I think that the coffins should be seen. People don't realize what goes on over seas, and when they do realize they quickly forget soon after. By showing the flag draped coffins of fallen soldiers, maybe it will click in the minds of the American people that these men and women are dieing for them, and maybe that image will stay with them longer than just a few hours.
" There is some people that are curious and there are people that need to know like the government, because they just need to know! Thats a very good question. Thanks for asking Carl! " ( that is funny you have the same name as I do).
NO, I think they should just lay off ! If the family says its ok its fine with me,the family should be able to tell the meida to say out of their business!
I don't think the media camera's should be allowed because than the whole world can see it then.
If the family says that it's okay, than it is okay. They gave their life for our countrie so the country should know about them!
If the family doesn't mind then I see no problem with it. All they are trying to do is honer the fallen soldiers.
i think that cameras should not be allowed because that is an invasion of privacy and the family probably doesnt want the whole world to see them greeving. i know i would not want media in any of my families funerals.
i think it is good that the families get to choose if the media can see the coffen with a camera
I think that this is an excellent thing. I agree that it raises awarness on the scarafices that are made by the men and women overseas. So, Critics just need to, at least on this one, put a sock in it and cool down. Save the critisim for another day.
I think it's disrespectful to show it. It shouldn't be viewed to the public.
I think it's okay as long as there is permission from the families. People who see it can respect the sacrifice of the servicemen.
I think that it would be okay if the caskets are shown, but with viewer discretion. Of course they should ask the families should get a say whether it should be shown. I think that if the media wants to tape the casket then they should make a donation to the part of the army that the soldier died in.
In my opinion i think its wrong. I doubt that these peoples families want their loved ones to be shown all over the television.
One class voted on your topic: "Should the media be allowed to show the caskets of fallen servicemen?"
We were split, 6 no's and 9 yes, 4 undecided.
Capon Bridge Middle School, Capon Bridge, WV
I think that if the family allows it, the coffin should be shown.
I think that it should not be allowed because if you give the media an inch, then anti-war protesters would petition to protest when the coffins come down.
personally there is one way to look at this...i mean what would you feel like if your coffin was out on display!? i AGREE that it is a invasion of privacy!!!!!
I think if the family is alright with it, them the world should see it, and notice how many lives we have taken with war.
I don't think that the media should be able to show the coffin because that is a family matter on wheter or not they want it to be shown. It goes against people's privacy.
I think that it is nice to be able to show that your family member, friend, mom, dad, etc. did protecting all of us. It does seem though like it is very personal because everyone that can see those pics. don't know who they are. So it is a very great honor and it is very private. So i don't really know!
I think that the showing of the flag-draped coffins is a good honor to the fallen soldiers. They gave their lives; the least we can do is honor them when they come home, with the family's consent.
I dont think they should show the fallen soldiers. The reporters and critics are just looking for a story because they ran out of news. The media just wants to show everything that happens.
I think it is important to let the American public see the real human costs of this war. It can be balanced with the families right to privacy by not naming the fallen hero. The American media should not try to 'color the perceptions' of viewers by disallowing cameras and footage of the flag-draped coffins. Perhaps our growing knowledge would bring the war to an end.
I say yes and no because every one should know about what our troops did in war for us and the families should have a say in it to if they want to have any recording devices around the corps.
I realize that family members may give their permission to show their loved one's coffin to the media, but how would the actual deceased person feel about it? Sure, it gives the public a good message on how much death is caused by war, but there is no way of knowing if the actual person killed would approve of their body being displayed to millions of people. Maybe everyone should sign a contract stating whether or not hat would be okay BEFORE they go to war or get killed.
Show the caskets! I believe it is an awesome idea. These men and women fought and died for our country. They deserve to be honored.
I think they shouldnt be alowed to film because it is a very serious moment. But if there going to allow them to do it im glad they have to ask the family if its ok first.
I thinks that that they should ask the people who are still alive if they die do they care if they are recored.
these men and woman deserve to be honered they foaught for our country. It will bring awarness to the americans that there are still troops over seas fighting the war, and how serious this is. I am glad thety ask the famlies first though because that is important.
i think that this would be good to do because it shows the citizens of america that people have fallen for us and it should only be publiziced if the family wishes to.
I think it's a good idea to show fallen soilders and all but even if the soilders family says it's OK how do you think that individual would feel? The alread have to give up the option of creamation so they should be allowed to state wheather or not they want to be filmed.
I think the flag-draped caskets of the servicemen or women who have lost their lives should be filmed. I think it's time for Uncle Sam to honor them.
I think that cameras should be allowed to view the casket if the family agrees upon it. Either way, the body itself should not be shown. The family should not film it with their own cameras, but the professionals with experience should video the casket being returned. Personally, I wouldn't want a video of one of my loved one’s caskets, but everyone has their own opinions, and some prefer that.
why would you even want to take pictures of dead men?
Hello from Japan.
Whether they show caskets on TV or not, they have to put victims's familys' feelings on the top of the list.
I live in Japan and watch your show by podcast.
You greeted in Japanese at the beginning of your show on March 27 and I was pleasantly surprised.
The reason why you greeted in Japanese, I guess is one Japanese TV network in Japan started broadcast your program. But actually they started broadcast your program on March 30, so no TV viewers in Japan couldn't encounter your Japanese greeting. Maybe you got a wrong info about when your show would be aired in Japan.
I hope you'll greet in your program someday again for Japanese viewers to watch it.
I think that it soud be aloalowed to be filmed because its a sign of respect
I find that this to be a neutral situation to both sides of the issue. I believe that it is wrong doing to show heroes' fallen because it is disrespectful to them and their families but then again, I think it's a great way to show people who's fought for our nation and our country and it’s the families choice!
I think that it might be depressing for some people to see everyone thats been dieing,also i think it will make less people want to jointhe army. But if the famiely and obama really wants it then i guess its alright.
Oh, Most Definetly! This would show all witnesses what type of risk our Troops take when they do this job.
Yes. But ONLY with the families permission!
I think they shouldn`t because that`s just invading privacy.
In my opinion, this policy is a tactic to show the atrocities of the war, this is showing us the people it is truly effecting. This mew policy shows us that each person killed in action is not just a number to be added to some statistic, but that they have family and people that love them. This policy is to show America what this war is putting other through, and hopefully this will help end this war, and the loss of live much sooner.
I think that it is important to tell the American public stories like Staff Sgt. Phillip Myers' because then they can connect with them. Without knowing who the people were, they become statistics. My brother is in the Army and I would want people to mourn with me if (heaven forbid) anything would happen.
I think when a man/women fights for our country to make it better. They should be left alone ounce they vanish. And not be flashed or taped ounce in a coffin. So if i were the family of a deceased soldier i would say no right away.
i dont really care. im sorry if that offends people but thats just the way i feel. but still, those people had alot of guts to sacrifice their lives.
The majority of our communications class agrees that the lifting of the ban displays the ultimate sacrifice of our soldiers. By allowing media access to the "flad-drapped coffins," Americans realize the cost of war in human terms.
-Mr. Merritte's Class
Having news of a family members death sprawling in the media may serve as a painful, and constant thing that the family would have to deal with when watching the news, even if he/she died for a noble cause; this is why the media ban was placed in the first place. Easing up and now only needing permission is probably as loose as the restriction needs to go. If some want to share the story of their lost ones, then so be it, but the media should be restricted to permission in these cases.
Here's my opinion:
Those men and women went overseas in order to protect us. They gave their lives so that American citizens could be safe at home, which is something that I would definitely not have the guts to do. I am grateful to them for making that sacrifice for me, and I would really appreciate the chance to thank them. The event of a fallen soldier returning home should be normally made public. However, the family should have the option to not make it open to the public.
I think that the government is insulting our inteligence by hiding these events from the American people. Do they think that we honestly believe that nobody is dying over there? This is war, people, and thousands are dying. The government is afraid that if we know exactly how many are being killed, we will stop supporting them. They just don't seem to realize that nobody supports them anyway.
Bottom line: the public should be allowed the right to see what really happens in a war, but the families should have a say in whather or not their loved one is televised.
As long as the family members allow it, I really don't see the problem.
watched Saving Private Ryan again..Those heros who died for liberal should be remembered forever!!!if media allowed to show flag-draped coffins,the mass will distinctly get to know how tough the battles are and make us think more about the significance of wars.
no, not at all there is all ready to much seen in the media all ready we don't need more
I for one am very glad to see the respect brought back to and for the families of our fallen soldiers, and to those who accuse or assume that President Obama is only allowing this because of political reasons, please do some studying into the history behind WHY our
Country allowed this in the first place.
Back in the days when the citizens of the United States still had
a lick of sense and thought of their country and it's people
first and foremost (instead of a political party), this ceremony
was the countries way of showing respect for the family of the fallen
soldier.
One of the purposes was to bring us all together; in support, with the family members of the fallen soldiers (in the only way that we could be brought together – via the T.V.), so that the family wouldn't have to go through the sorrows and burdens of receiving the remains of their loved one/s alone.
Go talk to your grandparents or to other Elderly persons, and
educated yourselves, it's obvious by many of the responses above,
far too many people are ignorant to our own history. And for sakes alive, stop with the politics, it's such a boring posture!
Both of my grandfathers were in the military. Now my father is about to retire. If my dad served over-seas and had died in the line of duty, I would want a say weather to let the media to cover his death. It is ok because if the family of the fallen doesn't want the media they are not allowed to be there.
I think that the family of the fallen man/woman should decide if the media can film. I think that the pentagon changing the rule is not fair at all. If i remember correctly the constitution states that citizens should have equal power as the government, yet i don't think that is right because it seems that the government decides everything. I think that this statement only works with voting and really i don't think that is what our early founders really wanted. This is showing an example of what the decisions the government is not giving to it's citizens. So bottom line family members should decide if the media can film their fallen loved one.
it is a time of war. we watch movies that are far worse for us that that of a flag covering a casket as it is carried. i think it is honarable if that. showing that we have pride not only in life but honor in death. it is in thebest interst that the family give thier permission although the press should be able to be there. as were all apart of this.
I don't believe the cameras should be there when a fallen serviceman or women returns home because this is hard enough on the family. It was probably someone they loved or were very close to. Death is a private thing for those who loved or cared for the deceased. Hearing it on the news, all messed up would just cause more pain. The press usually doesn't ever get the facts straight and no one should have to go through that in the first place. Unless the family asks the press to come to the coming home of the fallen person, they should just stay away.
My cousin is in the air force, and if he would become a fallen soldier then my family would probably want the world to know about how great he was and how he was a great soldier. Personaly i think it should be up to the family wether or not the caskets should be shown.
no they shouldn't i hate cameras
I have had many people in my family join the military My uncle severed and my brother is joining the military very soon and i hope to join the marines when i grow older
I think they shouldnt do that becouse it is building more cities .They should honor the fallen and that could caus some people emotions and problems just wating to happen.
I believe that it should be left up to the fallen soldier's family... it is a reminder that the freedom we all enjoy is not free for all. Some Americans have forgotten what the Heros (Soldiers) had to pay for the things we enjoy.
I think that the families need to be informed before they even try to do anything with the bodies.
if the someone died in the service an if the family wants it to be flimed or pictures taken than thats there dession
I think that it is a good idea to show the sacrafise of the Americans in the war, and i think that the families should aprove of that so the people know the sacrafise
I am a 100% perm disabled veteran of the VietNam era wars. A free press is vital because the people need to know. Our government lied all thru the VietNamLaosCamodia wars and continues to lie about the present ones. Only a free press educates the people about what is really going on. As long as the dead are treated respectfully they remind us all of the cost of our freedoms, and the price we pay. What is disrespectfull is the governments failure to follow law and act w/ honor, and the way it treats those disabled veterans who served and are disabled from their service. Not taking pictures of caskets.