We are not sure how widespread this situation is and here is where the investigative media could help us resolve the situation. The family claimed that according to their mortician the Army neglected their son's remains by not refrigerating them prior to his return to Dover AFB, Delaware. Spending half a day checking the internet for any media coverage regarding their claims, or related claims, we could locate no coverage. Do we doubt what this military families claims because the media has not covered it? We don't think so.

     They say that the Army failed to care for his body and there have been recent instances in which the Army has failed to give our fallen heroes the honor they deserve in arriving at their final resting place, such as not having proper military escorts at airports, but this goes much deeper. Their family has talked and met with Army officials many times. At the formal investigation meetings, despite the fact that their questions on the treatment of their Soldier’s body, made known prior to each meeting, the Army representatives failed to even acknowledge the question as to why a fallen hero's body would come back, after such a short period (3 days), in such stages of decomposition as to be unrecognizable. The Army continues to investigate why this fallen warrior returned home in such deplorable condition. They are not members of MFSO.

     In sharp contrast to the experience of the mourning military family above, and with the utmost respect and dignity, the parents of Marine Cpl. Brett Lundstrom, 22 of Kyle, S.D., wanted America to share in how Native Americans treat and respect their fallen warriors with the dignity they have earned serving our nation in Iraq. They are not members of MFSO.

     The Lundstrom’s gave the Rocky Mountain News permission to attend and photo a traditional wake for the young Marine and publish it on-line:

http://cfapp2.rockymountainnews.com/slideshow/slideshow.cfm?type=DEFAULT&ID=012006lundstrom&NUM=1

     We give a heartfelt thank you and appreciation to the Lundstrom family, the many Native Americans, and U.S. Marines involved in the wake for sharing this intimate event with us. Most important our condolences, prayers, and sorrow go out to this military family and all who knew Cpl. Brett Lundstrom.

    In closing, Paul Rieckhoff, Executive Director and Founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA) IAVA@mail.democracyinaction.org, not affiliated with MFSO, sent this, which the younger generation, forward looking; evolving Veterans groups are focusing on.

http://www2.operationtruth.com/blog/?blog_KEY=151

     This evening Veterans across the country will be watching the President’s State of the Union address, looking for leadership on the crucial issues facing Troops still in Iraq. After you watch tonight, click here to leave your comments about tonight's speech.

Here are the points we are hoping the President makes in his speech.

This Nation’s Veterans are a Priority

This past year has been a discouraging one for Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan: billion dollar budget shortfalls, six-month waits for care and last month, and the news that only one-in-five calls to the VA helpline answered correctly. The President must present a plan for fixing this broken system.

The Current Problem of Military Overextension Will End in 2006

A recent Pentagon report found that the current pace of military operations in Iraq is unsustainable. This is something that our Troops and Veterans have known for years. If the President is serious about Homeland Security, he will offer concrete solutions to this dangerous problem.

Here are the Benchmarks for Success in Iraq

For nearly three years, the President’s outlook on the war in Iraq summed up in three inadequate words: “Stay the Course”. This has never been an acceptable plan of action. If we are to continue sending our Troops into harm’s way, then the President must give our Troops basic guidelines to gauge their progress on a tangible course to success.

Never Again Will our Troops be Sent to War Without Proper Equipment

From un-armored humvees, to shortages of water, to Soldiers forced to buy their own body armor, this war has been an exercise in bad preparation. The President must commit the full resources of this government to an investigation of what went wrong and what needs to be done to prevent similar problems in the future.

There it is from OUR TROOPS who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the President addressed NONE of these issues.

Robert L. Hanafin Sgt, U.S. Army (69-76) Major, U.S. Air Force-Retired (77-94)

Veterans for Common Sense (VCS)

Ohio State Chapter Military Families Speak Out