Field Cremations

[David]

The Pentagon is considering cremating remains of troops who may die in a chemical or biological attack in a possible war with Iraq, officials said Thursday.

Use of field cremation would alter a longtime U.S. military tradition of making every effort to return each person's body home in a flag-draped coffin.

It is not yet clear if the military would operate a crematorium in the Middle East or how the ashes would be sorted and returned to families.

The Pentagon also would have to address cultural and religious objections by some service members.

The reason for the high-level policy review is the prospect of mass casualties, especially from smallpox or anthrax, that would require the quick disposal of bodies to protect the living.

If adopted, the policy would be used by commanders only as a last resort if regular decontamination procedures are overwhelmed, Pentagon officials said.

Cremation has never been an authorized means of dealing with remains on the battlefield. A final decision on the policy review is expected within weeks.

[David]

If the civilian industry standards in this field are any indication of how this will work it is going to be hard to pull this off without a lot of mixed up remains.

[DMZ-LT]

There is a guy here in Ga. that is on trial now. Ran a crematorium on his farm , except he never burned the bodies , just dumpted them around the farm and filled the erns with charcoal ashes. They have found over 350 bodies so far. Nice guy.

[TheOldSarge]

David,

Not intending to make light of your post or the info in it, but ...

For many years I made it a point to visit any military cemetery I got near. I have seen the rows of crosses and Stars of David in so many overseas cemeteries its hard to remember where all of them are. Then there's the Navy "tradition" of burial at sea.

I see no need for the "current" military to pretend they have a long tradition of returning remains. That "tradition" is actually quite short. They have done it only as long as they had the technology/transport to do it and I believe that only goes back as far as Korea.

Hopefully this will not sound too crass or thoughtless ... Our loved ones need to remember above all else WHY we died and what we died FOR ... not where we rest.

The Old Sarge

[catman]

I think if the deaths come from NBC weapons that they should cremate the bodies there. What would the people think here if bodies were returned and unleashed a terrible smallpoxs episode? It is not worth the risk. Have to side with the Sarge on this one.

Trav

[SEATJERKER]

...is supersceeded by safety restrictions...

...those traditions were associated with conventional warfare, and out of respect for the deseaced if at all possible...

...But, now with the possibilites of "unconventional warfare" at present, it is the only logicical to preserve the living from the further spread of "killer poisons", and containment therein...



..."May God strike him dead long before he can unleash such devastation upon the innocent"...


...God bless you all, and it's time, "everyone started watching everything"...