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WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
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13

Family Doesn't Believe Speicher Died in Crash

Grateful for return of body, but official line doesn't jibe with beliefs

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(Newser) – Scott Speicher’s family is thankful for the return of the missing pilot's remains, but isn't buying the military's conclusion that he died in a plane crash in Iraq on the opening night of the Gulf War, the Florida Times-Union reports. “We’re discrediting the rumor that he died in the crash,” the family’s lawyer said. “That’s just not accurate.” Speicher was initially declared dead; that was later changed to missing.

The family says the Pentagon theory doesn’t jibe with information they’ve collected in the 18 years since the crash, which variously indicates Speicher ejected successfully, was in an Iraqi prison, killed by Saddam Hussein, or an amnesiac wandering the desert. “The family’s been on such a roller coaster,” says one Desert Storm pilot. “No one would think it would turn into an 18-year ordeal.”

This image provided by the U.S. Navy Oct. 11, 2002 shows a photo of Navy Capt. Michael
This image provided by the U.S. Navy Oct. 11, 2002 shows a photo of Navy Capt. Michael "Scott" Speicher.   (AP Photo/US Navy Photo)
This a photo of Michael Scott Speicher made aboard the carrier USS Saratoga in June 18, 1990 when he was promoted to Lt. Commander.
This a photo of Michael Scott Speicher made aboard the carrier USS Saratoga in June 18, 1990 when he was promoted to Lt. Commander.   (AP Photo/Barry Hull, File)
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13 comments
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Timinator2K
Aug 3, 09 12:25 PM CDT
Nobody knew anything with any accuracy but, that never has stopped the Gov't from blithering endlessly with speculation. The indisputable fact is, he died and should be honored for his sacrifice and buried with honor. Shut the friggin' lawyers UP! They're only angling for a lawsuit for pain and suffering so that they can line their own pleasure & profiting pockets. Reply
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Mad
Aug 3, 09 12:31 PM CDT
I don't blame the family. The military has repeatedly shown they can and do lie about serviceman's deaths to suit their own dialog. Once, it was an honor to die for your country. Now, doing so creates a mystery Reply
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JonmarkP
Aug 3, 09 1:41 PM CDT
No one has "died for their country" since WWII. What American service people are dying for is to protect the investments of the mega-rich and to ensure the continued profitability of war profiteers. It's a shame, but if we don't care enough about our children to stop this insanity it will continue indefinitely. Our kids are like Dixie cups to the wealthy and powerful. Shame on us for not standing up to them.
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Combat_Grunt11b
Aug 3, 09 8:13 PM CDT
JonmarkP, you are an embarrassment. I oughta punch you in the jaw, since my freedom to do so coincides with your freedom to speak that way about the sacrifices of my brothers. What would you know of sacrifice, huh? I lost some of my best friends in this conflict, and I think they would say differently about your comment. God knows the guilt I felt coming back, realizing people like you say things like that. Why don't you take a walk through arlington and try saying that, or walk up to a group of grunts like myself and those who did make it back. Enough of your socialist, take it all for granted- babble. They died for what we felt was right, as we volunteered to go. They died for each other, and they died for people like you. And I'll gladly go back again and again and again until the wars end, I return in a box or all my boys come home. Because these boys are the future. The real men of this wasteful generation. And they deserve everything you take for granted. To my fallen brothers, that I carry tattooed on my skin- I think I can clearly speak for all of them when I say- "Unless you have been here, you have no room to talk." Reply
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IN RESPONSE:
Mad
Aug 3, 09 8:50 PM CDT
Methinks the 'grunt' doth protest too much. If you did, in fact, serve in IOF, and would gladly go back, I must ask, why aren't you still on active duty? (Oh, and btw, Newser tracts who you give thumbs up too, and so far, all three of your thumbs up are from yourself) (and all your thumbs down have been from me - so far)
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