Sen. Clinton wants Army to investigate casket mishandling

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Mike Sheehan
Published: Thursday November 30, 2006

Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) is calling on the U.S. Army to investigate an alleged case of mishandling a soldier's casket, RAW STORY has learned.

Several witnesses at a Rochester, N.Y. airport last month saw what appeared to be the American flag-draped casket of a dead soldier transported down an airline conveyer belt and onto a baggage-toting vehicle. According to a report by a local TV news station, the remains are "believed to be [those] of Army Sgt. First Class Tony Knier, who was killed in Iraq on October 21." The casket was apparently escorted by a lone soldier, standing at attention.

In a statement released today by Clinton's office, the junior senator from New York urged an immediate investigation into the alleged mishandling and also requested "a clarification from the Department of Defense and the Army of their policy and procedures regarding the transport home of service members who have died while serving our country."

Clinton made her plea in a letter to the Army's Chief of Staff and to the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

"This reported incident is deeply offensive," say Clinton. "Those who have sacrificed their lives in the service of our country deserve nothing less than our utmost respect.

"I am calling on the Department of the Army to immediately begin an investigation of this episode," she continues. "The Pentagon and the Army must take all appropriate measures to ensure that the returning remains of soldiers are treated with the respect that they deserve."

The full release and accompanying letters will be made available at the Senator's website.