Should the remains of MIA's be public?

PO1 Mike Edgecomb — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:24:44 -0400

I have recently been made aware of the upcoming return of the remains of a Vietnam MIA. The family wishes a private ceremony. of course the Families wishes always come first, but I view this as an historic event that will help bring closure to Vietnam Veterans as well as the family, and should be public with appropriate honors and publicity.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Aug 7 at 2015 10:27 AM

GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:27:21 -0400

As you said PO1 Mike Edgecomb ... the wishes of the family always come first.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Aug 7 at 2015 10:36 AM

SGT Ben Keen — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 10:36:18 -0400

Interesting question PO1 Mike Edgecomb. While yes, the family wishes must always come first, it is a historic event. The one thing we can do is to pause for a moment in the mist of our crazy day and pause to remember this service member and all service members still waiting to come home.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 7 at 2015 11:06 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:06:56 -0400

The Rights of the Individual should always come before the wishes of the collective.

Although I can agree with your sentiment, should we impose our will on them? Is that our place? Is that correct? Would the imposition of our will be "appropriate" or would it actually sour the honors.

Response by MSgt Curtis Ellis made Aug 7 at 2015 11:32 AM

MSgt Curtis Ellis — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 11:32:19 -0400

I agree with the comments here that the family's wishes always come first but other than that, I strongly feel the notification of all returning MIA remains should be made public for the obvious reasons as well as the not so obvious... Many of the returning MIA's do not have family, or the family line ended with them. Regardless of who they are, What's the use of bringing them home if there is no one there to welcome them back? When we know they will arrive at the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery here is Sierra Vista, there are always attendees form the local Veterans Organizations, near by Ft Huachuca, our community of civilians and Vets, VFW Riders, Patriot Guard, etc, to remind them that they do have "family", and we never forgot nor will we forget their greatly appreciated and selfless sacrifice, even if that appreciation in numbers are only by a few, as we all cannot always be there, but as SGT Ben Keen indicated, at least it gives us an opportunity to pause for a moment to remember this service members sacrifice. I've attended many of these events since my retirement, and will continue to do so as long as I have the luxury of notification.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 7 at 2015 2:25 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 14:25:39 -0400

I agree that the family's wishes should always come first. They need their time and space to go through their own process how they see fit, and each family should make that decision for themselves.

With that said, is there anything stopping a local Veteran's organization from having a public ceremony after the family has had their own? It may not end up being the full military honors funeral, but any ceremony, perhaps a wreath laying with a ride to the final resting place for the public to pay their respects and reflect on the sacrifice of the individual and those of our MIA. I personally think this would be the best solution for all involved.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 7 at 2015 4:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 07 Aug 2015 16:22:56 -0400

I would leave to the families so they can grieve and say good bye in their privacy.