There is a debate brewing about whether news media should have access to photograph the coffins of returning military men and women, killed in the line of duty, when their bodies are returned to Dover Air Force Base. There is strong controversy about whether this should be allowed or not. In 1991, President George H. Bush enacted a ban on the photographing of the coffins. It just was not allowed to happen, by the order of the President.
This has been a matter of contention. Some people believe that allowing the photographs could make an impact on the minds of the citizens of the United States as to the cost of war; as the death toll rises from the wars in recent years. There are many who feel that by not seeing the evidence of the coffins, people would not understand the depths of the sacrifice that our service persons were making. In effect, out of sight…out of mind.
On the other hand, there are others who believe that it would be disrespectful to the deceased and their families to allow the coffins to be photographed. Some family members say that, to them, it IS a sign of respect to acknowledge their sacrifice by not ignoring the coffins as they touch down once again on American soil. Other family members say no…it is a time of personal grieving and they do not want their loved ones photographed…that it is an exploitation of their deaths. The feelings and opinions are quite strong on both sides.
When President Obama took office over a month ago, he decided to reevaluate the photograph ban. He asked Robert Gates who is the Defense Secretary of the United States to make a recommendation to him about the policy and how best to serve the families of those who had fallen. It seems that he supports the right of the family to make that decision regarding the publishing of the photographs in the media.
It would seem obvious that the best solution is to let each family decide whether they would allow the casket of their loved one to be photographed by the media…and to some extent that is the plan. Exactly how that will be put into practice is yet to be decided; however, i wondered…what if family members have a difference of opinion? Which family members opinion will be the deciding factor?
This could be more complicated than it sounds. I mean, what if the parents of the military person disagree with each other about whether it is ok? What if the spouse of the deceased disagrees with the parents, or the child of the deceased? Who will be allowed to make the actual decision? This could cause some deep emotional conflict at a time of personal grieving…it could cause long term family problems; at a time when family members need to lean on each other for emotional support.
Personally, i can see it from both sides of the coin. I think it could be a situation where the media could abuse the priviledge of honoring or acknowledging the sacrifice of our service members. I also think that it is easy, in this country, to isolate ourselves from the real, devastating cost of lives lost in a war; if we do not remember that those coffins carry the remains of people who had a life, a family, friends, hopes and goals and dreams of their own.
Each family could have a multitude of opinions about this policy…it would be impossible to make a decision that is going to set well with them all. I read a recent opinion poll that said approximately 65 percent said that families should get to make the decision about the photos, 25 percent said that Pentagon should continue to ban the photos, and another approximate 10 percent said that they weren’t sure who should decide about them. There are no easy answers. What are your thoughts and opinions on this matter?
Write where you are 
It should be up to each family, not the government. Some family may like it, and other may not. But, they should have that right, it’s there choice, and only they can make it.
This shouldn’t even be an issue. as anne611 said, it should be solely up to the family.