For the past 18 years the liberal media has been denied the opportunity to make political statements and protest the ongoing Iraq/Afghanistan war with pictures of fallen warriors being returned home for burial.

The ban on photos of war dead arriving at Dover AFB for the mortuary services was simply a practical matter of respect, with no regard for politics. 

Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, undoubtedly under pressure from President Barak Obama, has taken the liberty of modifying the policy of "No Photos" of returning war dead by allowing photos to be taken, with the survivors' permission.

So what's the policy on photographs when anywhere from 3 to 30 flag draped containers are flown in at the same time?  If, for example, one surviving spouse say's they want the photos to be shown and the other 29 surviving family members do not, how do you reconcile that?

When there is more than one set of remains returned, are photographs taken if the majority of survivors want photos or denied if the majority is against showing them?

If, as the press claims, America has the right to see these photos, does America also have the right to view, in detail, the autopsy and preparation of the body for burial at Arlington, another National Cemetery, or a family burial site? 
 
Does America have the right to know that our military members killed in action are not returned in a coffin?  Do they have the right to know that the remains of the deceased are returned to the United States in a metal shipping crate packed in ice? 

Does America need to see liquid escaping from the metal shipping crates or even condensation on the outside of the ice-filled case from high humidity? Would this cause an outcry from any concerned, thinking person . . . particularly if they believe the misinformation that deceased members are actually returned from a war zone in "Coffins?"

It is Dover's central mortuary where the remains are prepared for burial and dressed in a new uniform with all ribbons and other devices the deceased was entitled to wear. 

Only after careful preparation are the remains placed in coffins for burial in accordance with next of kin desires.  The AF mortuary provides this service for all deceased service members, regardless of branch of service.

Watch the HBO Film Production titled "Taking Chance."  The movie is based on Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl's description of the return of PFC Chance Phelps remains to Wyoming.  It illustrates the proper respect due America's heroes.

The movie also describes the professionalism at Dover AFB's Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs in preparing and transporting Chance to his home and family in Wyoming. 

Photographs of deceased military members, coming home to their final resting place, dressed in proper uniform and in a real coffin shows proper respect for those we have lost in military operations. 

Photographs of flag draped shipping containers are neither good policy for the United States or a show of respect for those who have given their lives for this country.