The difference is whether the cremation is taking place at a licensed funeral home.
They were.
"Gary Wallick, funeral director at Torbert Funeral Chapel, said he and other staffers took military officials on a tour of the facility, showing them their procedures and answering questions.
'They seemed very satisfied with the way that we do things,' Wallick said."We should show dignity and make sure things are handled properly, instead of allowing corners to be cut.
They did.
"Pet cremations are conducted in a separate area of the building, away from human remains.
'We’re very sensitive and respectful of the military,” Wallick said. “We’re honored to play a part in that, and I hope that continues.'
The Pentagon also ordered a review of its cremation policies and practices. There have been no complaints or accusations that the funeral chapel mixed up or commingled human and animal remains."What really strikes me about it is that it wasn't noticed until someone went to a cremation. This implies to me that many of these men were forgotten.
What strikes
me is that the issue went so far up the chain of command before ANYone thought to ask around. The guy litorally saw a sign for pet cremations and complained.
The bodies were respectfully cremated AWAY from facilities used to cremate the remains of pets.
The issue was simply overblown.
This is not important to the fallen, they are gone. It is important to the rest of us. It was not them, but us who were denied dignity when this happened.
No one was denied anything.
