Banner week for the Air Force

I am a military veteran.  I spent six years in the Air Force, and while I determined that it was not the lifestyle I was meant to lead long-term, I am proud of the time I served.  I am proud of the people I served with, and I am proud of our troops and their families for serving along with them.  This week, however, has made me shake my head and wonder exactly what people were thinking, and marvel at the decision making process that made these news headlines possible.

First, the news of bodies and body parts being buried in a landfill in Virginia.



Desecrating the remains of our troops?  Tossing them in a landfill as "medical waste?"  Really? I am truly disgusted and so saddened by this piece.  More than that, I am saddened by the way the Air Force is now choosing to handle it--defending the practice, saying that families signed off on "proper disposition" of the bodies.  I would venture a guess that this is not what they had in mind when they signed off on the bodies of their loved ones.  The Air Force continues to defend its position, arguing that everybody has different traditions and ways of grieving and mourning, and take the position that they did nothing wrong.  So what tradition is it that says "burn 'em up and dump 'em out with our medical trash?"  I am thinking I got lost on this one.  Shame on the powers that be for allowing this.  Shame on the powers that be for defending it.

Then this group photo...  All I can say is "WHAT were they THINKING?"  And "WHOSE bright idea was THAT?"  

Casket photo sparks investigation at Lackland - Navy News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Navy Times

At a time when our troops are abroad, representing to the world what we supposedly stand for, I would think a little more sensitivity and caution would be exercised by those in charge.  I'm sure it was done in the spirit of "fun," and somebody thought it was "creative."  I hope they are embarrassed.  I know I am.  

Think a little.  BEFORE acting, preferably.