Widow's claim raises questions of whether military can prevent viewing of loved one's remains

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It is a shame that a president of The United States of America would do something like this to a Gold Star Widow.

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You were in the military in Vietnam. Can the military prevent viewing of loved one's remains?

It was a right for the widow of the fallen to view the body. This is the first I heard of this. Good Question.

Maybe there is something in here.

http://www.ssi.army.mil/ncoa/AGS_SLC_ALC_R...

The CAC providing assistance to the PADD will advise the PADD that every effort will be made to honor desires of the PADD; however, certain conditions may preclude the use of a wood casket. A metal sealer casket required when— (1) Not withstanding the best professional efforts of the preparing embalmer or the reprocessing embalmer at the port mortuary in the United States, odors from the remains that could be detected at the funeral service are present or likely to be present. (2) When the remains will be transported from the United States or Outside of the United States mortuaries to a foreign country. the is c. When the PADD’s choice of casket cannot be honored, the preparing CAC will telephonically advise the PADD’s CAO and CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC –PED–D) of the reason(s) why the PADD ’s choice of casket cannot be honored. The CAO will advise the PADD, before the remains arrive at the receiving funeral home, that the Army could not provide a wood casket and the reason why. d. Once the remains are shipped, the casket will not be replaced at Army expense without prior approval by CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D).

Rachel hinted last night that General Dunford said something at his press conference about it, but mysteriously didn't show so much as a bite. I'll look it up when I get home.

Let us take a look at Rachel's last Night Report on this issue.

NBC News: U.S. soldiers were likely set-up for Niger ambush http://blackinamerica.com/content/329268/n...

I already saw it. I'd like to take a look at General Dunford's press conference yesterday. I'll be back.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BpqfgHi74uk

Steve, this was great information on Gen. Dunford holds news conference on military operations, attack in Niger however I would like to keep our attention focus on George Stephanopoulos interview with Sister Myeshia Johnson the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, spoke out on "Good Morning America" about her husband's death during a mission in Niger and the controversy that has surrounded it.

From what I see is Sister Johnson wants the world to know that Sgt. La David Johnson how great of a soldier my husband was and a loving and caring father and husband he was to our family and she is asking question about her husbands death.

"They tell me that he was in a severe wrap — like I won't be able to see him," Myesha Johnson said.

I don't see that any of our stellar media has asked the question, "what is a severe wrap?" I think that would be the very first question to ask.

At Sergeant Montgomery's autopsy, it was noted that he had suffered traumatic injuries consistent with proximity to an explosive device. There was massive blast and burn trauma to his legs, and he was missing most of his right hand. His torso was intact, and his face was unmarked, except for a single blemish on his forehead. But death would have been instantaneous. It was also noted that his remains were incomplete. (Not long after, as is customary, someone from the Army would call Gail at home in Scottsburg and ask: If more of her son were discovered and subsequently identified at the Port Mortuary, would she like those missing pieces returned to her? She declined.)

War is a brutal thing Ron isn't it? Let's see what the investigation shows.

What remained of Sergeant Montgomery's bodily fluids was replaced by preservation agents. Strong solutions are employed, because the morticians don't know where the body they are working on might be sent. In some cases, when injuries are too extensive, no reconstruction is attempted. Instead, the remains are wrapped in absorbent gauze and sealed in plastic; they are then tucked inside crisp white sheets, closed with safety pins, one inch off the crease, the head of every pin facing the same direction; a green blanket is wrapped around the entire cocoon, and a full uniform is pinned on top.

But the presumptive goal of the morticians and their staff is what they call "viewability" — to give the family at least part of their son or daughter back as they remember them. (In the end, the families of about 85 percent of those killed in action are able to hold at least a partial viewing.)

http://www.esquire.com/news-politics/news/...

Thank you Steve for this information. I enjoyed this exchange of thoughts and FACTS

Yes!!! War is HELL!!!