MEDIA COVER RETURN OF FALLEN SERVICE MEMBER FOR FIRST TIME IN NEARLY TWO DECADES

It is a scene that has sadly played out more than 5,000 times in the last seven years. The flag-draped casket of a U.S. service member arriving home from Iraq or Afghanistan.

But Sunday night marked the first time in nearly two decades that media were allowed to be present for the somber event, as the body of Air Force Staff Sergeant Phillip Myers returned home from war.

Myers, of Hopewell, Va., was killed Saturday in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb. And about 40 journalists were at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to cover the arrival of his remains.

Much of this night was like so many of the others: The well-practiced and crisp movement of the carry team silently transferring the body from the plane to the truck that would transport it to the base mortuary and the presence of Myers’ family, quietly watching every step and order, ensured dignity and respect for the fallen in an atmosphere that does not lend itself to peace and quiet. [...]

Myers’ widow was the first to be asked by the military, under a new policy by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, if she wished to have news media at Dover Air Force Base for her husband’s final return home. Her decision to do so was historical and allowed the public to see a side of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq the country has not yet seen. [...]

With cameras rolling, an eight-member carry team wearing battle-dress uniforms and white gloves stood by the flag-draped transfer case carrying Myers, as the chaplain, Maj. Klabens Noel, said a prayer.

The team slowly moved the transfer case from the aircraft onto the loader. With a jolt, the quiet of the night was shattered as a diesel engine was started to lower the loader toward the ground and then was shut off.

Bathed in light from the giant floodlights along the flight line, the team hoisted the transfer case and carried it to a waiting panel truck. As the transfer case was secured, the carry team saluted, the doors of the truck were slowly closed and then driven under police escort to the base mortuary. [CNN]

I’m glad that the Pentagon has decided to allow this service to be covered by media, with the permission of the family.

The power of the photos and video is absolutely overwhelming. And it serves as an important reminder of the sacrifice made by Myers and thousands of other U.S. military personnel every day.

May God bless them all and here’s to hoping that soon, there will be no more of these services to cover.