Following the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001, the U.S. Army established the Joint Personal Effects Depot (JPED) at Joint Base Myer- Henderson Hall, in Arlington, Virginia. It is the perfect area to account for and process personal items of fallen warriors, return them to the families, and help provide closure. When Soldiers make the ultimate sacrifice in theater, their personal effects are inventoried, packed and rushed to the JPED, usually within five days. As items arrive at the depot, they are brought into an individual cage where they are inventoried and packed for shipment to the servicemember's primary next of kin. Soldiers go through great pains to ensure each item is soil-free and presentable for the family members.
For more on how the U.S. military assists surviving kin, visit the Military.com Survivor Benefits section.
