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2 sides to Dover debate

On Feb. 26, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the repeal of a policy dating to the 1991 Gulf War that prohibited media coverage of flag-draped coffins of U.S. war casualties coming home to Dover Air Force Base, Del. The new policy leaves it to individual families to decide whether they will allow such coverage. Two writers speak their views on the change. Join the discussion at www.militarytimes.com/doverpolicy.

My stepson, Marine Cpl. Matthew Wyatt, was killed near the Iraq-Jordan border on Dec. 3, 2004. My husband, retired Gunnery Sgt. Alan Wyatt, still on active duty at the time, traveled to Dover Air Force Base, Del., to escort Matt’s body home.

Thanks to the long-standing Defense Department policy, only recently repealed, no photos of Matt’s casket were taken at Dover. But guess what? He wasn’t the only casualty to arrive there that day. Had any photos been published by The Associated Press or by any newspapers, no one would have known which casket belonged to which fallen soldier, airman, sailor or Marine.

The photo on Page 6 of the Feb. 23 issue of Marine Corps Times [“Coffin controversy,” Frontlines] shows several flag-draped caskets inside the belly of an Air Force aircraft. It powerfully conveys the image of the fallen heroes. However, it does not identify any of the casualties.

As a member of a Gold Star family, I fully support the reversal of the current policy. Allow photos of the flag-draped caskets to be shown on the TV news and in newspapers. Remind everyone that there are still casualties. Remind everyone that our armed forces are fighting for us every day.

Lauren Wyatt

Elkridge, Md.

Old policy protected families in stress

The policy prohibiting media from photographing the return of those service members who gave their lives overseas was a sound policy that should stay in place. It protects the individual who made the ultimate sacrifice and his or her family from becoming politicized.

I agree that it is an honorable display, for I have seen it in person — in honor of my own loved one. I was there at Dover Air Force Base, Del., on that very aircraft, as I escorted my beloved husband, Marine Capt. Nathanael J. Doring, home from Iraq, where we were both deployed at the time of his death. I rendered honors to my husband and Marine Cpl. Richard A. Bennett five times in the two days it took us to fly back to the country that we loved — and for which we were willing to give our lives.

However, I must disagree with the editorial [“Reverse Dover policy,” Opinion, Feb. 23]. Like many other wives and families who have endured such a tragic loss, I believe the policy should be left in place. I know I did not want to be photographed during those painful moments.

Nor would I have wanted to see those flag-draped cases on the news and have to wonder if my beloved Nate could be one of them.

The government should protect those of us going through our most difficult hour. The government owes us at least that much.

Maj. Lisa M. Doring

Camp Pendleton, Calif.