Angels in our midst -- The Dover port mortuary

  • Published
  • By Col. Jim Kottkamp
  • Reserve medical forces advisor to the Air Force surgeon general
BOLLING AIR FORCE BASE, D.C. (AFPN) --  I recently had the privilege of visiting the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

This visit was an incredible education about the realities of war; the extensive lengths the services go through to work with the families of the fallen heroes; and a deeper understanding of the dedication to excellence of some very special staff members of the port mortuary team and associated volunteers.

There is so much that many of us don’t think about when seeing the coffin of one of our fallen heroes. The staff of the port mortuary, under the direction of Karen Giles, deals with the raw reality of military combat and transforms what the battlefield gives up into honored remains in an effort to support the families whose loved ones have given their all.

Ms. Giles and Lt. Col. Susan Hanshaw, an Air Force Reserve registered nurse, escorted a group of us from Air Force Medical Service headquarters through the mortuary. They introduced us to most of the eight full-time staff and many volunteers who provide assistance whenever needed.

When the fallen heroes arrive, the first and most important procedure is to begin the identification process. The majority of fallen heroes arrive with a presumed name, until irrefutable identification can been accomplished. The mortuary staff approaches this aspect with unfaltering dedication to detail, a no-stone-unturned approach to excellence. Once a case number is assigned to the remains, the next procedure is to perform a whole-body x-ray of the remains.

This is accomplished by explosive ordnance disposal people. The purpose of this X-ray is to be certain there is no unexploded ordnance on or in the remains. All such ordnance must be removed to prevent injury of the mortuary staff tasked with identification and burial preparations.

The next step in the journey is to provide a positive identification of the body. This is done with fingerprints, dental x-rays, or DNA.

This is accomplished by two FBI agents who voluntarily serve one-week tours of duty to conduct the fingerprinting identification. One agent does the research and the second agent reviews and certifies the identification.

If a fingerprint ID is made, dental X-rays are still made in order to cross reference the identification; again, no stone is left unturned. The dental X-rays are accomplished by volunteer members of the digital forensic technology team, a dedicated group whose motto is “dignity first.” If neither fingerprints nor dental X-rays can be used to provide identification, then DNA analysis must be used to positively identify our fallen heroes.

Complete body X-rays, in a specially designed machine, then help the staff to determine cause of death. This X-ray can also be used to double check identification.

Once positive identification is determined, an examiner from the Armed Forces medical examiners office conducts the autopsy.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attacks were a watershed for the services in dealing with the remains of our fallen heroes. Today, families are no longer satisfied with letters stating that their loved ones perished in line of duty to our country. Mothers, fathers and spouses want to know how their loved ones died. Was it friendly fire, fratricide? Most are seeking answers to their loved ones' last moments, and the forensic staff strive to answer all their questions and assist in gaining insight into the passing of those loved ones.

Immediately following the autopsy, the remains are embalmed and then proceed to the cosmetology and burial preparation area.

In this area, the professional staff strives to prepare the fallen heroes not just for their funeral, but, in many cases, for their final reunion with their families.

At the time of our visit, there were eight fallen heroes in this area, each in a service dress uniform minus the service dress jacket. The service dress jackets had already been fitted and were in the process of being tailored and having the correct ribbons, rank and insignia placed on them.

Excellence is evident throughout all areas of the mortuary, but none can compare with the loving attention to detail shown during this final step in preparation. Every badge, belt buckle, insignia, and ribbon attachment was shined and perfect -- no exceptions.

Another very striking example of the care taken by the Dover team was found in the uniform preparation area, where we couldn’t help but notice a large Rubbermaid trash container chock full of new Marine Corps uniforms. Ms. Giles told us a Marine master gunnery sergeant had gone through a new shipment of Marine uniforms and determined these uniforms had flaws in them and were not fit to be worn by his troops!

As our fallen heroes are being prepared for their family reunions, their personal effects are gathered and readied for inventory and presentation to the families. This is where the crushing blow of sacrifice is most evident.

Their watches were still set on Baghdad time, the photos of family and friends tell of the heart wrenching grief to be suffered. Among the heroes' personal effects, the single most prevalent items were the pre-paid phone cards, testaments to the heroes' desire to keep in touch with their loved ones. These calls would never be made.

The families select the type of casket for their loved ones. After a fallen hero is lovingly placed in the casket, another volunteer -- the military escort -- comes forward to be with these heroes every step of the way home to their final place of rest.

As I said earlier, the visit to the port mortuary was a privilege. It was humbling to meet the Dover team, to hear the ring of love, care and dedication to excellence in every corner of the facility.

To shake hands and look into the eyes of those who truly know the horror of war, yet find it within themselves to provide aid where most could not, was an awesome experience indeed.