Media coverage of fallen military members
April 27, 2009
A few weeks has passed since the Pentagon ended an 18-year ban on media coverage of fallen soldiers returning to the U.S. And most families have allowed the media into the very personal ceremony. 14 out of 19 to be exact. Some critics of the media being allowed in had warned that military families needed privacy and peace activists might exploit the images. Air Force Staff Sgt. Phillip A. Myers of Hopewell, Va., who died April 4 in Afghanistan, was the first combat casualty where the media was allowed to attend.
The ban on media coverage began in 1991, when President George H.W. Bush imposed it during the Persian Gulf War. It was meant to protect the privacy of grieving families. It’s still too early to tell whether military families favor the new policy.
Media interest has dwindled since the almost 40 reporters, photographers and camera operators turned out to document the arrival of Myers’ body. At some of the more recent casualty arrivals, the only media representative was a lone photographer from The Associated Press. Even if the media is not present, the Department of Defense films each casualty arrival for which consent is given and presents a recording to the family. Christie Woods initially declined media coverage of the return of her husband, Staff Sgt. Gary L. Woods Jr., of Lebanon Junction, Ky., who was killed along with Jason Pautsch. She changed her mind so family members who couldn’t travel to Dover would have the video, according to casualty assistance officer Sgt. Joseph Chapman.
While survivors are asked whether they consent to media coverage and want to travel to Dover, a policy memo issued by Defense Secretary Robert Gates states that media contact with family members will be allowed “only if specifically requested” by the family.
AP
HIV POSITIVE after VA clinic mistake
April 9, 2009
The VA is looking into whether there’s a connection between a patient’s positive HIV test and unsterilized equipment that may have exposed thousands of veterans to infectious diseases.
This was the first positive reported test since the VA warned vets treated at three clinics that there might be a risk.
The VA did report that hepatitis was found in 16 patients. But then stated that it isn’t certain that the patients got the illnesses because of unsterilized equipment at a VA clinic. According to the Associated Press, the VA is looking into the possible relationship between the two.
Earlier this year, the VA warned thousands of vets to get blood tests because they could have been exposed to contamination while getting colonoscopies in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and Miami.
The endoscopic equipment in question was also used at an ear, nose and throat facility in Augusta, Ga. All three sites failed to properly sterilize the equipment between treatments.
The VA has said it does not yet know if veterans who were treated with the same kind of equipment at its other 150 hospitals may have been exposed to the same mistake. The VA has now instituted a nationwide safety training campaign.
To date, less than a third — 3,174 — have been notified of their test results.
In all, at least five veterans have tested positive for hepatitis B and 11 for hepatitis C, which is potentially life-threatening.
These are our veterans. The heroes of our nation. Yet, they receive medical treatment at subpar facilities who aren’t focused on top notch care. Going to fight for our country and returning to a facility where you contract an infectious disease is appalling and unacceptable. If the Obama administration wants to take a look at changing our health care system, how about starting with our veterans health care?
Vietnam Vet finally receives Silver Star
April 3, 2009
He was a lance corporal in April 1967 during the first battle at Khe Sanh, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. When his platoon was attacked, Calhoun continued to fire back with a machine gun and an M-16 and to throw grenades.
A Silver Star citation signed by Navy Secretary Donald Winter says Calhoun displayed “resolute determination, selfless sacrifice and unwavering dedication to duty.”
A report on Calhoun’s actions never reached the appropriate office during the war.
