Beliefs

Pentagon lets media see return of US war dead

A family says it's ok for the media to see the return of their dead son from an ass-backwards country called Afghanrugistan. There's obviously the tradition of that not being seen by the general public being swept away... but to me it's interesting that the Pentagon would leave the choice up to the family.

You see, many people in the military have family that don't know anything about military life. The family doesn't understand or see the importance of military tradition, and they therefore place little value or don't consider it in making decisions. Even the spouse may not get it. Interestingly, some people in the military don't get it either, or don't like it, and they're gone after doing their stint.

I did my stint in the Navy, and got out. I got out only because I knew at some point during my stint, that I needed to go to college. I tried to do it within the Navy, but because I had left high school early, I didn't have the high school courses or grades to get into a college prep program they had, BOOST. I don't remember what that stood for, google might. So, when my enlistment was up, I was out.

So, I understand and can appreciate military tradition and all that, and so I wonder if the family of this guy understood it when they made their decision. And if they did, why or how did they come to their decision. And I wonder why the Pentagon caved.

Anyway, it's not a big deal in and of itself, but it is another hit in the chipping away of anything held sacred. Now, this may very well become something to see like a changing of the guard. "Look honey, another dead soldier coming in, let's go see it." I guess in a way I'm disgusted by it and its future. The guy they're bringing in may very well have felt the same way.