President Obama ~ Thank You!

It has been many years since our government honored our returning war dead. Dover Air Force base has long been the destination for our fallen heroes return to.

Having served their country in war and conflict, they have made the ultimate sacrifice for us. The first U.S. soil they come home to is Dover Delaware.

For years that somber sorrowful moment has been withheld from the public. The press has been forbidden from covering it. The returning remains in flag draped coffins are handled respectfully by a military team.

They are slowly carried down a ramp from a cargo plane while taps is played and transferred to waiting hearses. The only other people to mourn for them or pay respects are the devastated families.

This practice has existed through several administrations. President Bush did not feel it was appropriate for him to be there, but rather to meet privately with the families.

Our heroes returned to their homeland, having proudly served their government, without any significant government official present to receive them.


On Thursday a clear fall night, the president and staff members traveled to Dover on a 40-minute helicopter ride from the White House. He immediately sat down privately with all the family members in a base chapel.

The solemn process of transferring remains of 15 soldiers and three Drug
Enforcement Administration agents unfolded in four separate movements.
Obama took part in all of them. A chaplain offered prayers for the fallen.

President Obama lifted the ban on the press and allowed families to determine whether or not their loved ones remains would be photographed during the return.

President Obama arrived after midnight and met with the families. He solemnly saluted the coffins as each of our brave Americans passed by him. He returned to the White House at about 4:45 am.

I don't believe the ban should have ever been placed on this moment and hidden from the American Public. I commend President Obama for choosing to remove the ban and that he was present to honor a large number our valiant soldiers.

Thank you President Obama.

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