Howard Dean's non-military brother gets military honors???

[Col. Crackpot]

http://drudgereport.com/dean9.htm

XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED NOV 26, 2003 10:49:38 ET XXXXX

SOLDIERS ANGER OVER DEAN BROTHER 'MILITARY HONORS'

**Exclusive**

Active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are upset over being forced take part in a military repatriation ceremony today for remains believed to be those of the none-military brother of presidential candidate Howard Dean, the DRUDGE REPORT has learned.

"His brother will receive full military honors...flag over the coffin and all!" fumes one soldier, who asked not to be named.

Governor Dean is set to visit to the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC) and the repatriation of his brother to Hickam AFB, Hawaii.

The brother's remains were recovered in Laos by a JPAC recovery team this past month. JPAC's mission is to search, recover, and identify remains of US service members who were killed in previous wars.

During the Vietnam War, Dean's brother and an Australian friend treked into Laos as civilians -- and were captured by the Vietcong and killed.

JPAC was pressured to not only recover his brother's remains, but to bump Dean's recovery over numerous other MIA's who actually died fighting for their country, a well-placed military source tells the DRUDGE REPORT.

Additionally, JPAC is being pressured to push up Dean's brother's identification ahead of approximately a hundred other service members remains, it is claimed.

Says one source: "These service members were recovered from all US wars, whose families are waiting to finally get word that their loved one, who gave his life for his country has been identified and is finally coming home. It usually take 2 years plus for an identification. Apparently, this 'rush job' will be done in 4-6 months. That's not all, we are repatriating his Australian friend, with military honors, and pushing his identification ahead our service members also."

The military source continues: "We feel it is not only a slap in the face to the servicemembers who gave their lives for our great country, but also the men and women who are currently in harms way"

In the past, JPAC has recovered remains of civilians [specifically contract civilians working for the military], but never with military honors!

In fact, one time, JPAC team members conducting the recovery had to actually pay the postage to FEDEX the remains back to the family because the government would not pay for it.

Developing...

[Stofsk]

It takes 2 years to do a full identification? Wow. I can understand why US servicemen would be pissed off.

At the same time though, Dean's brother died by the enemy's hands. Granted they weren't fighting them, but shouldn't that count for something?

[Sea Skimmer]

It takes 2 years to do a full identification? Wow. I can understand why US servicemen would be pissed off.

At the same time though, Dean's brother died by the enemy's hands. Granted they weren't fighting them, but shouldn't that count for something?

Not a something enough to warrant this. They went into a war zone of there own free will and got killed. That is not deserving of honors reserved for military personal. We don't do it for embeeded reporters, it isn't done for civilians working for the military. It shouldn't be done for this.

I'd very much like to learn more, espically whoever is behind it all.

[Col. Crackpot]

For someone who bases his political campaign on rallying against the privileges of the wealthy and powerful, it is earth shatteringly hypocritical to use your wealth and power to gain a special unearned privilege.

[Howedar]

I withhold such accusations until I actually know what caused this. You should do the same.

[Andrew J.]

JPAC was pressured to not only recover his brother's remains, but to bump Dean's recovery over numerous other MIA's who actually died fighting for their country, a well-placed military source tells the DRUDGE REPORT.

Who put pressure on them? Dean personally? Or just beaurocrats who saw this and said, "Ooh, family of an important government official who might be president soon! Better hurry his recovery and give him a reward." You're jumping to an enormous conclusion if you assume Governor Dean has done this himself with such vague information in the article, Col. Crackpot.

[David]

It takes 2 years to do a full identification? Wow. I can understand why US servicemen would be pissed off.

At the same time though, Dean's brother died by the enemy's hands. Granted they weren't fighting them, but shouldn't that count for something?

Not a something enough to warrant this. They went into a war zone of there own free will and got killed. That is not deserving of honors reserved for military personal. We don't do it for embeeded reporters, it isn't done for civilians working for the military. It shouldn't be done for this.

I'd very much like to learn more, espically whoever is behind it all.

My thoughts exactly.

[EmperorSolo51]

Not a something enough to warrant this. They went into a war zone of there own free will and got killed. That is not deserving of honors reserved for military personal. We don't do it for embeeded reporters, it isn't done for civilians working for the military. It shouldn't be done for this.

I'd very much like to learn more, espically whoever is behind it all.

Nitpick, Threy were not in a warzone. They were captured by the Communist Government of Laos, tried, and executed for allegedly spying for the US government.

[Glocksman]

Nitpick, Threy were not in a warzone. They were captured by the Communist Government of Laos, tried, and executed for allegedly spying for the US government.

Perhaps they were spying for the US government, in which case honors would indeed be due.

[EmperorSolo51]

Perhaps they were spying for the US government, in which case honors would indeed be due.

However, both Howard Dean and the US government have been on the record, saying they were not there for spying.