Honoring our Dead / Memorial Day in the US

[jone]

This evening, we watched the made for TV Movie, Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon.  The story highlights the return of Chance Phelps, as his body is escorted back to Wyoming.  It was a sensitive portrayal of the honor paid our KIAs.

I couldn't help but contrast this in my mind with the Russian KIAs in the Donbas and the continuous effort to cover up Russia's involvement, even to the extent of refusing to acknowledge the dead soldiers coming home and the contributions made by them.  I have read various articles that tell me that these soldier's families, young wives and children are not receiving any benefits from the government.

This is the largest insult a country can pay its war dead.

[AC]

This evening, we watched the made for TV Movie, Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon.  The story highlights the return of Chance Phelps, as his body is escorted back to Wyoming.  It was a sensitive portrayal of the honor paid our KIAs.

I couldn't help but contrast this in my mind with the Russian KIAs in the Donbas and the continuous effort to cover up Russia's involvement, even to the extent of refusing to acknowledge the dead soldiers coming home and the contributions made by them.  I have read various articles that tell me that these soldier's families, young wives and children are not receiving any benefits from the government.

This is the largest insult a country can pay its war dead.

Very good point, jone.  I have seen the movie you mentioned with Kevin Bacon and it was very profound and sad.

I cannot imagine being a soldier again, but this time knowing that if I am killed, my family might never know the truth about what really happened. 

That said, you may or may not be aware, that some MIA soldiers from the Vietnam era were actually sent from Vietnam to the FSU and died in captivity there.  Their families never got to close the chapter and give the soldier a proper burial. 

So this concept of disrespecting soldiers is not new for the FSU, but I believe it is new to do it to their own soldiers.

[BillyB]

I couldn't help but contrast this in my mind with the Russian KIAs in the Donbas and the continuous effort to cover up Russia's involvement, even to the extent of refusing to acknowledge the dead soldiers coming home and the contributions made by them.  I have read various articles that tell me that these soldier's families, young wives and children are not receiving any benefits from the government.

This is the largest insult a country can pay its war dead.

Putin's story hasn't changed. He said he didn't send soldiers to war in Ukraine. The soldiers followed their own hearts to fight in Ukraine. If Putin compensates the families of those soldiers, it's an admission he is responsible.

[AC]

Putin's story hasn't changed. He said he didn't send soldiers to war in Ukraine. The soldiers followed their own hearts to fight in Ukraine. If Putin compensates the families of those soldiers, it's an admission he is responsible.

Once this all comes to light I really hope the Russian people will put his head on a spike.  Or a war crimes tribunal with him sitting in a cage.

[BillyB]

Once this all comes to light I really hope the Russian people will put his head on a spike.  Or a war crimes tribunal with him sitting in a cage.

Most Russians believe the story and Putin's poll numbers are still very high. On the other hand, Ukraine president Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk's poll numbers are in the gutter. Even when people find out the truth, they will overlook the lie if they get something in return that brings pride to their nation, namely Ukraine.


http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2015/05/25/yats-to-washington-please-buy-ukraine/

[AC]

Most Russians believe the story and Putin's poll numbers are still very high. On the other hand, Ukraine president Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk's poll numbers are in the gutter. Even when people find out the truth, they will overlook the lie if they get something in return that brings pride to their nation, namely Ukraine.


http://www.forbes.com/sites/kenrapoza/2015/05/25/yats-to-washington-please-buy-ukraine/

They might be able to take some more pieces of Ukraine, but will they hold them?  I don't think so.

[AC]

Stark report details how Russia is hiding evidence of soldiers dying in Ukraine.


http://www.bloombergview.com/articles/2015-05-26/putin-burns-his-dead-to-hide-ukraine-aggression