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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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Army Sends 'John Doe' Letter to Slain Soldiers' Kin

Gen. Casey writes apology to 7,000

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(Newser) – The Army had good intentions in mind when it sent a letter to families of soldiers killed in Iraq to inform them of available services. Problem is, the letters to ease the most personal of sacrifices all began the same way: "Dear John Doe." Now Army chief of staff Gen. George Casey is sending a personal note of apology to 7,000 family members for the oversight, the Military Times reports.

The Army says a contractor made the mistake when it mailed the letters late last month. “There are no words to adequately apologize for this mistake or for the hurt it may have caused,” said Brig. Gen. Reuben Jones, Army adjutant general. Casey's letter will note that he lost his own father in Vietnam.

Gen. George W. Casey Jr. pins the Purple Heart on Spc. Robert Winegar Jr., right, during a ceremony at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Nov. 17, 2008.
Gen. George W. Casey Jr. pins the Purple Heart on Spc. Robert Winegar Jr., right, during a ceremony at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Nov. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, talks with members of the media during a visit to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008.
Gen. George W. Casey Jr., Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army, talks with members of the media during a visit to Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Monday, Nov. 17, 2008.   (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
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Newser001
Jan 8, 09 7:03 AM CST
The Army uses a contractor to send letters… how absolutely pathetic. Reply
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Shannonals
Jan 8, 09 4:11 PM CST
Field grade officers don't care about the loss of human lives, nor the impact on the families. Reply
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Newser001
Jan 8, 09 5:59 PM CST
The military term for such action 'cluster-f*ck.'; The absolute inexcusable, clearly incompetent, those responsible MUST be removed. Where is the dignity in serving YOUR/OUR nation? Why risk your life for a country who doesn't even have the decency to see it's done the right way, in the first place...? Subcontracting...? I'm a VET, and D*MN pissed! Dishonoring those that sacrificed their lives - FOR WHAT? GW's wet dream? Reply
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