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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2009
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Obama Visits Dover to Honor War Dead

Prez makes midnight trip to base as 18 bodies arrive

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(Newser) – President Obama made a surprise visit to Dover Air Force Base before dawn today to honor fallen American service members. The president arrived at the base shortly after a transport plane carrying 18 bodies landed. Obama and other officials boarded the plane and stood by as a chaplain prayed over each flag-draped casket before it was carried out, AP reports.

The 15 soldiers and three DEA agents arriving at Dover were among the 53 Americans killed so far this month in Afghanistan, making it the deadliest month of the 8-year-conflict for US forces. Obama, who met with family members of the dead before the ceremony, is still holding meetings to review the direction of Afghanistan strategy. A final decision can be expected within weeks, according to a White House officials.

President Barack Obama waits on the tarmac before an Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind.
President Barack Obama waits on the tarmac before an Army carry team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Obama is the last of the official party to walk off a military transport plane during the dignified transfer for Army Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind.
President Obama is the last of the official party to walk off a military transport plane during the dignified transfer for Army Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Obama salutes as an Army team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin during a dignified transfer event at Dover Air Force Base today.
President Obama salutes as an Army team carries the transfer case containing the remains of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin during a dignified transfer event at Dover Air Force Base today.   (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
President Barack Obama and others in the official party participate in the dignified transfer event for Army Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind.
President Barack Obama and others in the official party participate in the dignified transfer event for Army Sgt. Dale R. Griffin of Terre Haute, Ind.   (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
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President Obama honors the return of fallen soldiers at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware early this morning.   (AssociatedPress)

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15 comments
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lumina
Oct 29, 09 5:37 AM CDT
Damn I feel for those boys and girls giving their lives for that stupid, stupid war. I hope Obama thinks very carefully about how many more of our young people he puts in harm's way. He should read "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" by T. E. Lawrence before he makes a decision. Reply
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+3
Netstorm2k9
Oct 29, 09 7:13 AM CDT
Fuck the DEA. I've no sympathy for them. The soldiers, yes, but official government mercenaries can suck on it. Reply
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-6
IN RESPONSE:
Gallavant
Oct 29, 09 7:52 AM CDT
You should be ashamed of that comment.
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+2
IN RESPONSE:
Fondue
Oct 29, 09 7:54 AM CDT
They're still Americans and they are helping the soldiers you are so proud of. No sympathy? They have families you know. Did you get busted or something?
Vote up! Vote down!
+3
IN RESPONSE:
Netstorm2k9
Oct 29, 09 8:04 AM CDT
The DEA exists to extort money from the populace for the crime of choosing how to live. We should be ashamed that we consent to that by allowing our politicians to get away with their crimes.
Vote up! Vote down!
-2

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