This hits home

I am posting this for family friends.


Please read the following article taken from Stars & Stripes

Airman killed in auto accident near Aviano
Stars and Stripes
European edition, Tuesday, September 1, 2009
A U.S. airman and two Italians were killed in a three-vehicle accident Friday afternoon, according to a 31st Fighter Wing news release.

The accident occurred about 4:50 p.m. near the town of Giais, a few miles northeast of Aviano Air Base, Italy. Authorities declined to release the name of the airman until verification that family members have been notified.

The airman was medically evacuated to a hospital in Udine where he was pronounced dead, according to the release.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.


What you don't know and what I would like to bring to your attention is this:

After flying to Italy, SSgt Dos Reis' parents viewed their deceased son on Saturday & were told to return Monday to officially id him in the prescense of Italian Authorities. Upon their return they were shocked & horrified at the state of decomposition of h is remains due to improper temperature maintenance.

Conversations with officials, both on base & attached to the military funeral corps, indicated Italians do not meet American standard of funeral preservations & were told the the American officials were powerless to assist or intercede in the "civil" matter. The parents recognize the local gov't maintains legal authority regarding these investigations, this is not in the dispute. However, they do not agree w/ the lack of oversight by our gov't while a dead airman's remains are in the hands of foriegn civil authority.


I am writing this to urge you to write your Congressman & plea for help in lodging a formal protest w/ the US Air Force & the gov't of Italy. The formal protest is due to the lack of preservation & handling of their son's remains. He was 22 yo's & served for 3 1/2 years when he was involved in the fatal auto accident while on his way to report for duty.


Thank you for reading
&
If you need addresses for Congressman let me know!