Patty Murray: “Properly laying a fallen Marine to rest is one of the final tributes that the Marine Corps can render to our own. This…”

“Properly laying a fallen Marine to rest is one of the final tributes that the Marine Corps can render to our own. This service provides comfort to grieving families and demonstrates our wholehearted and enduring commitment to those who have earned the title Marine. Unfortunately, I continue to receive letters and E-mails from family members, disappointed that the Marine Corps failed to support them during their hours of need. I am appalled, dismayed and outraged that I continue to receive these letters. Failing to provide funeral support to a Marine, for whatever reason, is completely contradictory to our ethos and diminishes the value of our fallen comrades' service. General Krulak goes on to say: I want my intent and guidance to ring loud and clear concerning funeral support to families of Marines and former Marines--it is our duty and we would have it not other way! Anything less is unacceptable. These are very powerful words and I commend General Krulak and the Marine Corps for making this a priority issue. General Krulak has taken our objective from the very beginning of this effort and turned it into Marine practice each and every day. Is it really too much to ask of our country that we do a better job remembering those who answered the call to duty, risked the ultimate sacrifice, and paved the way to the peace and prosperity we all enjoy today? Until very recently, I doubted the DOD's sincerity in this effort.”