Military Probes Death Notice Hoax

From Newsday
February 23, 2005

SAVANNAH, Ga. - Military police are investigating a cruel hoax in which a man
wearing an Army dress uniform falsely told the wife of a soldier that her husband had been killed in Iraq.

Investigators are trying to determine why the man delivered the false death notice and whether he was a soldier, or a civilian wearing a military uniform.

This is really bad. I have had more than one occasion to brief Casualty Notification and Assistance Officers on the procedures for providing this vital and sensitive service. The Army is VERY serious about how death notices are conducted. These family members go through enough anguish and worry on a daily basis not to have it compounded by the likes of this individual. I really hope whoever did this is caught and punished severely.


Signing Off. Until next time, I'll see ya on the Blog! drh.