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DEL.ICIO.USFamily mourns a final indignity
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Patti Saylor, whose son, Paul, was killed in Iraq, has started a Web site with other family members urging better preservation of fallen soldiers.
When Patti Saylor learned last August that her son had died in a vehicle rollover accident in Iraq, she took some comfort in the fact that he hadn’t been blown up by a roadside bomb.
At least she would be able to see him one last time to say goodbye, she thought.
The kindergarten teacher was shocked when the body of Sgt. Paul Saylor of the 48th Brigade Combat Team was returned to Bremen too decomposed even for a private viewing. The local funeral director, Paul’s high school wrestling coach, was able to assure her that the body was her son because his nose was recognizable.
Saylor wants to know how her son’s remains could have been in such poor condition just three days after he died. After months of asking questions and meeting with military officials, the Saylor family has launched an effort to get a mortuary facility set up in the Middle East so that fallen soldiers can be embalmed before they return to the United States.
Last month, they launched a Web site — www.soldiersplea.com — that has logged more than 3,700 signatures supporting their cause.
“We’re just fighting so it doesn’t happen to another family,” said Patti Saylor.
“This is not a political statement. This is about taking care of young men and women who are doing their duty.”
Many unviewable
U.S. Rep. Phil Gingrey, a Republican from Marietta, has been looking into the Saylors’ concerns. Last week, he visited Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where the bodies of the dead are returned from the war zone. Autopsies and embalming are performed at Dover before bodies are sent on to their families for burial.
Gingrey said Dover officials told him that about 2 percent of dead soldiers and contractors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan — about 39 overall — have arrived there too decomposed to be viewed by family members.
The current practice is to pack the remains of dead soldiers in ice while in the war zone to preserve them on their journey back to the United States. “I think, as I’ve studied this case, we can do a better job on that,” said Gingrey, who met with the Saylor family Tuesday. “I truly believe that we can do a better job and hopefully that percentage can be reduced close to zero.”
Gingrey said he would study the issue further. He said he was undecided about whether he would support embalming of fallen soldiers overseas, in part because he’s unsure whether it would hamper efforts to perform thorough autopsies at Dover.
Lt. Col. Kevin Arata, spokesman for the Army’s Human Resources Command, which oversees the Casualty Memorial Affairs Operations Center, said the soldiers who collect and prepare the bodies of their fallen comrades in Iraq do their best.
“There is never an intent to treat them with less than the honor and dignity they deserve,” Arata said.
Open casket services
Saylor, a 21-year-old Georgia National Guard soldier, died on Aug. 15 when his Humvee rolled into a canal. Sgt. Thomas J. Strickland, 27, of Douglasville and Spc. Joshua P. Dingler, 19, of Hiram also were killed in the accident. All three were members of the 48th Brigade. The funeral directors who handled local arrangements for Strickland and Dingler said they were able to have open casket services.
Army documents provided by the Saylor family show that when his body arrived at a medical facility in Iraq around 7 a.m. on Aug. 15, the temperature outside was 86 degrees. A little more than an hour later, the temperature had climbed to 101 degrees. Another Army report shows that Saylor’s body arrived at Dover on Aug. 18 in “advanced stages of decomposition.”
In a letter dated Jan. 4, Army officials state that an investigation found that Saylor’s body was packed in ice for transport to Dover. However, the letter states that the decomposition process was accelerated because Saylor’s body was submerged in water for several hours and temperatures in Iraq were extreme at the time.
Bill Hightower, funeral director at Hightower Funeral Home in Bremen, said ice doesn’t cool bodies enough to preserve them well in extremely high temperatures. Hightower, who handled the Saylor funeral, said packing bodies in ice “is Third World country to me in the handling of our fallen soldiers.”
Hightower said he discussed the Saylor case with his father, who planned funerals for fallen soldiers from World War II, and his father was “disheartened” by the details.
Embalming machines cost $1,000 to $2,000, Hightower said. He added that as long as blood samples are taken, bodies can be embalmed without interfering with the ability to perform an autopsy and do DNA testing later.
Patti Saylor wants the military to set up a mortuary facility in Iraq or Kuwait. She knows that soldiers in other wars have been buried in foreign soil or sent home in the cargo holds of ships. But times change and the U.S. government can afford to do better, she said.
Her sister, Linda Kirkland, said the family had an especially hard time accepting Paul’s death because he had just been home on leave. He returned to Iraq less than a week before he died.
Not getting to view his body made it even harder to believe he was gone.
“That wasn’t him,” Kirkland said. “That’s just a box. We hugged the box.”
Comments
Commenting is now closed for this entry.
By Stacie
February 21, 2006 10:22 PM | Link to this
That is really sad and very disheartening….Our country needs to feel totally disgracwed.
By Concerned Wife of Soldier
February 22, 2006 01:07 AM | Link to this
My heart goes out to this family. Its hard to believe that this happened. I cry everytime I read an article on Sgt. Saylor. I can not even begin to tell how upset it makes me, to know that our soldiers and their families have to go through such.This hits close to home,my husband is currently serving in Iraq and I live in Carrollton. I support this family very much.
By David Thomas
February 22, 2006 03:09 AM | Link to this
We owe our fallen soldiers the dignity they deserve! For God sake they had funeral director’s on the Carpathia to handle the dead from the Titanic in 1912! Come on folks,get it together!
By Stanton Kluge
February 22, 2006 06:17 AM | Link to this
This and others like it are emotion filled issues because most people can not seperate their physical being from who they really are.
By paula avery
February 22, 2006 06:39 AM | Link to this
The USA can certainly do better than this. We NEED a Mortuary Unit,I can not believe this is even an issue.
By Wendy
February 22, 2006 06:54 AM | Link to this
How sad is it that we can not even take care of our soldiers once they are dead? The government can and should do better. This family and this soldier deserved better. Our government sends our children off to war and that is the last of it. They do not want to take responsibility after they have shipped off. … God bless this soldier, his family and others like them.
By Cullen
February 22, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this
Ms. Saylor and Family,
I’m sorry for the loss of your Son. I thank you for your Son’s bravery and service to his country and for that matter, for his service to fellow man kind. Thank you for the support you gave your Son and for your family’s strength. Your Son will forever hold the seat of Honor. I pray blessings upon your family.
By we can do better
February 22, 2006 07:41 AM | Link to this
first of all, I’m not a Republican or a Democrat, I know better than to believe in a politician, with that said, this incident is just terrible. I’m very disappointed in the behavior of our country and especially our government, we talk all the time about how we should take care of the children, and that’s good, but the children usually have parents looking out for them, but who looks out for our military, our veterans, and our elderly. one of the most honorable things you can do is to serve your country, and that doesn’t mean you have to join the military, but it does mean more than putting an American flag sticker on your bumper and telling everybody how great an American you are. this young man deserved better, he served with honor, and was treated with dishonor. … to say the least it’s just wrong. to all that claim to be these high-and-mighty Christians, it’s time to step up and prove it. and Prez, leadership means just that…leading, step up to the plate Georgie Boy, you’re at bat.
By Mr.Agree
February 22, 2006 07:44 AM | Link to this
I agree 100% with the family and think that with what the military services are doing in the middle east the least they can do is provide the familys with some comfort that they will see there loved ones again. The soliders are fighting for this country and they can give the the respect they deserve to come home in peace.
By rob l
February 22, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
Thank you so much for your continued efforts in helping other soldiers families , in your time of grief. My heart and prayers go with you.
By Gene
February 22, 2006 07:59 AM | Link to this
I served as an Infantry Officer in Vietnam and the Middle East with 23 years of service and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. I understand that many people find it comforting to view the body of a loved one. I do not. No matter what morticians do, they cannot restore that person to life. I prefer to remember living images of loved ones. However,I value the memory of my father’s casket draped with the US Flag. He died of natural causes at the age of 88. That flag is in a glass case over my fireplace. That same flag will drape my casket when the time comes, then go back into the case for my children. For the most part, family members do not need to view the bodies of loved ones killed in combat, particularly those military personnel killed by high explosives. Put a photograph on the casket and recall a favorite living image of that brave person. Having attended a number of military funerals of close friends, my heart goes out to the family members of these young men and women who are dying on a daily basis. Their loss cannot be measured.
By Miss Mia
February 22, 2006 08:03 AM | Link to this
This is a very sad situation! What can be appreciated in this story, first and foremost is Sgt. Paul Saylor’s service to defend and protect the citizens of this country along with all of the other brave men and women who do so.
The fact that the Saylor family chooses not to make this a political issue, but rather is offering viable solutions through the proper channels to assure that this problem is resolved. I have, but to look at the family’s response to know that their concern is not a selfish one but extends to Sgt. Saylor’s comrades. I will do my part by adding my name to the 3,700 hundred at www.soldiersplea.com. Thank you for bringing this to our attention.
By Jerry Hildabridle
February 22, 2006 08:17 AM | Link to this
Haliburton has contracted for every other service in Iraq, other than the shooting part. It would appear that these casualities of war could be processed in country prior to shipment home.
By Anne
February 22, 2006 08:41 AM | Link to this
I agree…this isn’t a partisan issue. Hopefully our political representatives won’t try to make it one. The soldiers who care for the dead in Iraq are doing what they can with the resources they have available. However, America can, and should, do a better job of honoring our fallen heroes. This is unacceptable and should be immediately rectified. Mrs. Saylor, please accept my condolences for your loss.
By Mantuan
February 22, 2006 08:42 AM | Link to this
It may seem 3rd world to a person sitting in Bremen. But my guess is that it would be more than one site needed, and it is more people to provide force protection on behalf of, so operationally, while this may seem insensitive to the family who has to deal with the “indignity” (terrible choioce of words) of a closed casket funeral, having more people and equipment in a war zone has to be questioned …. especially from Bremen by a person with unclear combat zone credentials.
I can see a future article from the AJC focusing on how an embalmer was killed by a road side bomb and the article has a survivor questioning why he had to be there for only 2 % of the deaths.
Let’s be clear: sad and emotional. I don’t know that the proposed solution warrants the risk. My 24 year in the military judgement is that to let the people who have to provide the force protection decide what is appropriate, and we back here getting up under the canopy of freedom they provide not carp about it.
My read, and again, the situation is sad.
By Rosa Boster
February 22, 2006 08:51 AM | Link to this
God Bless you and your family thru this trying time. I am with you 100% and feel that the least we can do is bring our young people (whom have given soo much ) all the honor and repect we would any goverment official.
Rosa Boster
By Laura Wallace
February 22, 2006 08:59 AM | Link to this
Thank you for bringing this issue to my attention. My son is with the 48th, and I have often thought of the consequneces of him being in Iraq, and it is always on my mind, that he may not make it home alive. However, the reality of how he could return had never entered my mind. This has been an eye opener for me, and I am very much in support of a mortuary unit. Many people are always asking me how they can support our troops. Now I can tell them about the mortuary needed, and the funding that is needed, and perhaps it will take writing letters to our congressmen and senators. Let’s see how much support can be gathered to make this a reality.
By Sherri
February 22, 2006 09:01 AM | Link to this
It is so sad and the goverment should make better arrangements for the men and women who defend us. I know of another woman (in Atlanta) who’s son was killed in the war and his body was sent home “unviewable”- it was her only son and she was more than heartbroken.
By Ron
February 22, 2006 09:02 AM | Link to this
This is unexcusable, almost as bad as not giving troops proper armor. The pentagon dolts should be fired!
By by katie Grogan
February 22, 2006 09:04 AM | Link to this
I am very sorry that this is an issue in this country. The least, the United States military could do is send the bodies of these soliders home, so that there families could say their last good-bye. There should not be a wait. This is simply another shameful example of the lack of concern this country has for its own citizens. May God give all the family peace and joy in their time of sorrow. By the way I am a christian, but my God tells me not to let my heart be trouble , even because of the wicked deeds of men , not all chrisitans share the view of the Prez, some of us share the words of “God”.
By E. Lewis
February 22, 2006 09:07 AM | Link to this
Just goes to show that some of the people who publicly proclaim to support the troops are in fact doing little to help and honor those who have died doing what their leaders told them to do.
By BC
February 22, 2006 09:15 AM | Link to this
Such a sad situation! Our country MUST do better to honor the lives of our fallen soldiers
By soforeal
February 22, 2006 09:24 AM | Link to this
This was real heart wrenching to hear your family had to go through this. I definitely agree the government can do better. We have to honor and dignify these soldiers the same way when they are alive as when they pass away. I totally support your cause and wish you the best with your efforts. God bless your family.
By Lori B
February 22, 2006 09:35 AM | Link to this
What can I say that has not already been said? To the Saylor family, my heartfelt sympathy, thoughts and prayers are with you. This is a total disgrace and shameful, to say the very least. I’m sorry to say that this is probably not the first time this has happened, nor will it be the last. …
By Debb & Chelsey
February 22, 2006 09:36 AM | Link to this
My Daughter and i are very sorry for the loss of your son. But we would like to thank him for his bravery and service to his country,But we still feel that we also owe our fallen soldiers the dignity they deserve and trust me they are not getting it.These mother’s, father’s and girlfriends send there love ones to iraq and other places praying to god that nothen will ever happen to them and this is what they get in return it really upsets me that these folks are treated this way.Nothing is more heart breaking then burying a child. I have to agree with other’s on here this wonderful man was sent to servive his country and be treated with HONOR but all he got was DISHONOR and that just makes me SICK. WE NEED A MORTUARY IN THE MIDDLE EAST. So these familes can say there final good bye’s to there love ones. GOD BLESS THE SAYLOR FAMILY and all who is serving.May God bring u home safe.
By Jo
February 22, 2006 09:37 AM | Link to this
A disgrace! I’m filled with such shame that we live in a country that dishonours our servicepeople & veterans, yet rewards & enables the lowest scum!
By Jonny
February 22, 2006 10:17 AM | Link to this
This is war. War is an ugly business. Can the US do better with its war dead? Yes, of course. I barely had the stomach to read this story. I cannot imagine, even begin to imagine, what that family is going through. If I was barely able to read the story, I can’t imagine what that poor mother is going through.
But even if an embalming unit were to be put on the spot of these soldiers deaths there would still be far too many soldiers too mutilated and damaged to be viewed.
And that is war.
By Also Effected
February 22, 2006 10:18 AM | Link to this
Saylor family-I am so sorry for the pain you are experiencing. I fully understand how bad the pain is. I am also sorry that you weren’t able to see your son’s body. Yes,I did get to view my son, but I assure you it made no difference, as it didn’t look like him at all. The only thing recognizable was a mole on each jaw bone. Some said, his nose was right, but I didn’t see it. It just wasn’t my child, therefore, I do understand what you are saying about seeing him. That’s what I wanted more than anything. I viewed a body, but it wasn’t the body I knew. My friend, seeing isn’t alway believing. It’s still hard to wrap your heart and mind around it even when you do see them. All I saw was a stranger. I just want you to know that I understand how hard it is, under any circumstance. I still often think he’ll be home soon, even though I know it’s not true. Hold on to the last days you had with him while he was on R&R. I’d give anything if only I’d had some time with my son before he died. Treasure those days and hold the memories close to your heart. Let them and those of his life be what brings you comfort on the hard days. Thinking of you daily and praying for you more often than that.
By Steve
February 22, 2006 10:30 AM | Link to this
First let me say how sorry I fill for your family and let me thank you for your son’s life which I hope it was filled with love and joy for the little time you had him. He is one of many men and women who serve in our military. They give us there all and we must give them our all we they need us. We are free only because of them and we must never forget them. Thanks from a vet of the ARMY and GOD BLESS YOU AND OUR COUNTRY.
By army mom
February 22, 2006 10:42 AM | Link to this
I feel so sad for the Saylor family, I would have thought that the USA had something better in place for such things as important as our HEROES! They really deserve better and their families do also.I have a son in the Army, who just returned safely, thank God, from Afghanistan, I can’t even begin to say I know how Mrs. Saylor feels, but I do think something should be done to prevent this from happening again and again. Thank you for letting me get this off my chest.
By Sign The Petition
February 22, 2006 11:11 AM | Link to this
I am so sorry for your loss. This has made me angry that our heros could be treated so poorly!!
So I looked up the web site and signed the petition. I wish AJC had given a “live” link but they didnt….so I will!!! Soldiers Plea
PLEASE SIGN IT
By Deanna
February 22, 2006 11:25 AM | Link to this
My prayers are with all families who have suffered a loss of a fallen soldier. I am in total agreement that soldiers’ bodies should & must be preserved for viewing. I understand that injuries may cause significant disfigurement, but viewing the body gives provides finality. I just attended a funeral of a very close friend. I didn’t have to view the body but I needed to. Although I knew in my mind that my friend was gone, I had to see the body to add closure. God bless.
By Concerned Mother
February 22, 2006 11:36 AM | Link to this
After reading your story, I feel so numb. As a mother of an only child (Son), my heart goes out to you and your family. I totally agree with your feelings and also with you coming forward hopefully this can help someone else with their loss.To lose a child is one thing but to not be able to recognize your child after his/her death is another. I am so sorry and I will continue to pray for your family as well as others who have someone fighting for our country.
By still grieving
February 22, 2006 11:37 AM | Link to this
This is for Gene: You sir may not feel the need to view a body, but Mrs Saylor did. She wanted to see her son one more time and it was much different than attending the military funeral of a friend. You shouldn’t speak of that which you know nothing about. I lost an adult child more than 10 years ago and I am still grieving, I needed to see him and I’m glad that I did. I hold those last memories of him in my heart as well as those when he was alive. Mrs Saylor and family, I am so very sorry for your loss.
By rwh
February 22, 2006 11:56 AM | Link to this
The care and handling of deceased bodies are the most important to familes. Those of us who are trained and experienced in this field have not dealt with remains that are kepted in temperature such as that in Iraq. Ice melts quick, bodies change in stages and can’t last for the long flight back to Dover. Even in the belly of the plane, there is an effect on them. The funeral directed was correct when he stated that Embalming Machines cost 1,000 to 2,000 and embalming slows the rapid decompositon stage of bodies. All remains must move quickly back to a gathering point and debark to the flight lines immediately if no embalming is taking place. I agree that embalming can be done in a manner as to prevent the rapid stage of decomposition and perhaps, this will give many families some closure in the viewing process. A Mortuary in Iraq must be staffed with experienced Mortuary Technicians and an experience embalmer who can prepare the deceased for long flight back with the best embalming techniques.
By Gene
February 22, 2006 12:02 PM | Link to this
To still grieving: In my post, I stated that I understand that many people have a need to view the body of a loved one. I respect your view. Please respect my mine. There is a second issue here. If that loved one is disfigured by high explosives, viewing that body may not be a comfort at all. Finally, the military does not select the wars we are to fight. Politicians do that. Politicians also determine the composition of military forces to include mortuary services. Every aspect of the military is stretched very thin at the moment. Service members and their families are due great respect for their sacrifices, particularly those who make the ultimate sacrifice.
By Debbie
February 22, 2006 12:20 PM | Link to this
To the Saylor family, I deeply saddened by the loss of your son. I do agree with Gene, that seeing a body isn’t always possible. The temperatures there, were and are terrible in the summertime. There were those we lost on 9-11 that were never found to be buried. The time the see a loved one is when they are alive. I don’t know of anyone who feels the need to be seen when they’re gone. Most people don’t want to be seen that way. You son and others like him are serving their country proudly. They died serving their country and we shall always be grateful. Seeing to believe they’re gone is not always possible. I believe our country is doing all they can with what is available under severe heat conditions. I’m sure you son would want to be remembered how he looked when he was alive. Christians know this body will turn to dust, but those who believe in Christ know they will be resurected and will be whole again. Your son if he was a believer he will be seen again, he is only gone for a short while. Keep the hope, faith and strength. Time will heal your wounds. Again my heart goes out to you and your family. May God bless all who serve!
By William
February 22, 2006 12:21 PM | Link to this
What is missing from this article is the side of the brave men and women serving in the Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Navy that work as Mortuary Affairs Specialists around the clock to expedite the Angels (remains of our fallen brothers and sisters) home. The job is mentally and physically gruelling, but they do it with care and professionalism. They are deployed throughout the Combat Theater and place themselves in harms way in order to take care of their own. The goal is always to expedite them home while doing so with dignity and honor. These men and women take great care and pride in the service they provide. I know, because that was my job and I very proud of it.
By Peter
February 22, 2006 12:27 PM | Link to this
Gene:
I know you didn’t mean it as such but your answer seemed insensitive. A member of the Professional Officer Corps can’t mourn individually each KIA. To do so would be to court madness. The men who were killed on this day represented less than a 3% casualty rate for the battalion.
For the three families the rate was 100%. You might think that there’s no reason to view the bodies. At least for one family there’s a powerful reason. If we don’t honor not only their service but also the wishes of their survivors then what are we fighting for?
I KNOW what you were trying to say. This wasn’t an HE case because if it were ….
He gave all and I’m willing to go with the wishes of his family.