Families of the Fallen center opens at Dover

Gen. Norton Schwartz was on hand for the opening of the Center for the Families of the Fallen at Dover Air Force Base, Del.


Families of the Fallen center opens at Dover
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Thursday Jan 7, 2010 6:52:02 EST

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. — Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz on Wednesday helped open the Center for the Families of the Fallen, where families await the remains of their loved ones' return to American soil.

Fallen service members first arrive at Dover’s Port Mortuary and the Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations Center. A “dignified transfer” takes place in which a carry team from the respective service transfers a service member’s coffin off the plane to a waiting vehicle.

The center, located near the flightline, opened 60 days after construction started. It features separate rooms where families can meet privately, a children’s room, a kitchen and a meditation room.

Families had met with their casualty assistant officers and chaplains at the Dover’s chapel and spiritual operations center.

“For many of us this dedication marks a bittersweet event. The center is emblematic of our general gratitude to the families of our fallen servicemen. It is the result of the hard work of all those who are dedicated to expressing that respect,” Schwartz said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2010/01/airforce_dover_center_010610w/

So sad, so necessary for the families. I am recommending this, with the hope that readers are sensitive to the real lives involved.