There's controversy over how the military is transporting the bodies of service members killed overseas, 10News reported.
A
local family said fallen soldiers and Marines deserve better and that
one would think our war heroes are being transported with dignity, care
and respect. It said one would think upon arrival in their hometowns
they are greeted with honor. But unfortunately, the family said that is
just not the case.
Dead heroes are supposed to come home with their coffins draped with the American flag -- greeted by a color guard.
But
in reality, many are arriving as freight on commercial airliners --
stuffed in the belly of a plane with suitcases and other cargo.
"When someone dies in combat, they need to give them due respect they deserve for (the) sacrifice they made," said John Holley.John
and Stacey Holley, who were both in the Army, made some calls, and with
the help of U.S. Sen. Barbara Boxer, Matthew was greeted with honor and
respect."Our familiarity with military protocol and things of
that sort allowed us to kind of put our foot down -- we're not sure
other parents have that same knowledge," said Stacey Holley.
The Holleys now want to make sure every fallen hero gets the proper welcome.The bodies of dead service members arrive at Dover Air Force Base.From that point, they are sent to their families on commercial airliners.Reporters
from 10News called the Defense Department for an explanation. A
representative said she did not know why this is happening.
Barbara Boxer For President! This
is not about the dead soldier; it's about the family. The soldier is
dead and doesn't know his body is being treated like so much
merchandise. It's the families, who are alive and in indescribable pain
already at losing a son or brother or dear friend, and then have to
deal with the anger of knowing their government doesn't care enough
about the soldiers to treat their bodies with dignity and respect in
death.
Yeah, I think this also demonstrates amazing disrespect for the troops, made
all the more ironic by the fact that the current going argument that we
should continue to fight in Iraq to honor the sacrifices already made.
If we're honoring the sacrifice, being put in a cargo hold next to golf
clubs and baby strollers ain't cutting it with me.
The San Diego family of a Marine killed in Iraq are upset at the 
