Posted by
Patrick Baldwin on Thursday, February 26, 2009 6:00:00 PM
Today, the Defense Department announced that they were changing the policy regarding media access to the return of our fallen military members. Since 1991, following an order issued by President George H.W. Bush, it has been the policy of the Defense Dept. not to allow the press access to the arrival of our fallen heroes. The charge has been made that this was done for political reasons, to "hide the true cost of war". These claims have been made members of the media, anti-war groups and by politicians, including Senator John Kerry. President Bush stated in an interview several years ago, that this decision was made out of respect to the families of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, so that they may be allowed privacy in their grief. He further stated that consideration was given to the fact that it may be difficult for some families to travel and be present for the arrival of their loved one, and to allow press access might put pressure on those families to be in attendance.
President Bush, a WWII veteran, understood the feelings of military families, and I find no credible reason to doubt his motives for issuing this order. I also give credit to President's Clinton and George W. Bush for having continued this policy, quite obviously they understood its purpose. On the other side, those in the media and the anti-war movement have repeatedly shown their disregard and contempt for our military. They don't oppose the war out of concern for our uniformed services, but due to their political philosophy. Senator Kerry's motives are easily questioned, as he has stated that those who serve do so only because they couldn't do anything else, and let's not forget his shameful comments before Congress after his return from Vietnam. For President Bush this was a matter of respect, for Senator Kerry and his ilk, this is a matter of propaganda.
While the new policy will allow family members the choice of whether to allow the press or not, is this really a question that they should be confronted with in their hour of grief? Is the need of the press to broadcast pictures of flag draped coffins so great that it should intrude upon the heartbreak and tears of this moment? I think not, and as a veteran, and a supporter of our outstanding military, I am outraged by this politically motivated act. Until this time, I have felt that Secretary Gates was doing a fine job, but now I have to question if he would have taken this same decision had John McCain become President. I suspect that he would not have, and in that case, his leadership must be questioned.