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Obama Visits Dover to Honor War Dead

Prez makes midnight trip to base as 18 bodies arrive

By Rob Quinn, Newser Staff

Posted Oct 29, 2009 5:09 AM CDT

(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.

[Images (4)]

[Videos (1)]

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. (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. (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. (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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Obama Visits Dover to Honor War Dead