|
'Pet crematorium' complaint leads to Pentagon change Jamie McIntyre Military cremation procedures have been changed after a soldier complained that his buddy's remains were taken to what appeared to be a "pet crematorium," the Pentagon announced Friday. The Pentagon says that the facility had separate incinerators for animals and humans but that the signage and location of the facility in a warehouse district near Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, did not show the appropriate respect due military personnel who have died while serving their country. "The mere fact that they are in a facility that also performs this same service for pets is, in the estimation of [Defense Secretary Robert Gates] and, I daresay, almost all the men and women you see walking around this building in uniform today, not appropriate for their service and sacrifice," Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said. The Torbert Funeral Home also displays a sign advertising the "Friends Forever" pet cremation service.
(Article continues below) "We have absolutely no evidence whatsoever at this point that any human remains were, at all, ever mistreated; were ever not cremated where they were supposed to be cremated," Morrell said. "That said, the secretary believes that it is inappropriate, even if though permissible under the rules and regulations, to cremate our fallen, our heroes in a facility that also cremates pets." All troops' remains arrive from the battlefield to the Dover Air Force Base Port Mortuary, which does not have its own crematorium. The Associated Press said Dover contracts with Torbert and Pippens Funeral Home for cremations. Pippens uses a crematorium at the funeral home that is used only for human remains, AP reported.
|
|
| PRISON
PLANET.com Copyright © 2002-2008 Alex Jones
All rights reserved.
|