STILL TENTATIVE SUPPORT; PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE FALLEN ©

Early in April 2005, I wrote of how we tentatively support our troops. I shared the odd ways in which we honor those that we love. I questioned Department of Defense policies. The Pentagon does not accurately report the actual number of war casualties. “Casualties” are considered persons that are “hurt directly by the bullets and the bombs of the enemy.” If an ally wounds a soldier, if a soldier is injured in an accident, or if a serviceperson hurts him/herself, s/he is not “counted’ as a casualty!

I wrote of how the government fears losing support for the war effort. They do not wish to expose the truth of our conflicts. They fear the “Dover test.” When our war wounded and fallen soldiers are flown back into the States, they arrive at Air Force Bases, such as, Dover. When citizens see images of these, when they are forced to face the reality of war, they often withdraw their support. It is difficult to tolerate the loss of young lives. Equally troublesome is the loss of an eye or a limb; the cruelty of war-imposed pain is not a welcome sight. Therefore, our government has chosen to screen what we see; they want us to feel good about our wars.

However, on April 2004 photographs of flag-draped American coffins were taken. These were acquired illegally and yet they found their way into the public forum. The Whitehouse was livid. Nonetheless, the images survived. In my earlier discussion of the Dover test, I did post these ill-gotten photographs.

Now, on April 28, 2005, I discover others questioning and actively conquering military conventions, and more pictures. After an extensive legal battle, the < a href=http://www.delawareonline.com/newsjournal/local/2005/04/28pentagonrelease.html>Pentagon was forced to reveal 360 photographs of United States soldiers killed in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other conflicts.

National Public Radio offers audio coverage of the story and a Gallery of photographs for viewing. ”Photos of Caskets Bearing War Dead Released”, April 29, 2005.

Delawareonline.com also bestows complete coverage, photographs, an article, and video.

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