Transition in Military Death Notifications: Past and Present

Finally, the Department of Defense, with support and encouragement from Congress and the American public, has focused more on today’s military member and family as a unit, instead of the individual soldier, as was the case with the Vietnam veteran. Although a soldier, and sometimes a taxi driver at the height of the Vietnam War, would hand deliver a Western Union telegram notifying spouses and family members of their loved one’s death, it was still perceived by survivors as cold and lacking compassion (Hanna). According to the military, this was considered notification in person, which many family members found insulting (Hanna). In contrast, death notifications for today’s military forces are dealt with sensitively and respectfully, notified in person by a special Casualty Assistance Officer, and followed up with a chaplain if the family

desires it, as well as a benefits case officer who helps the family navigate benefits and make funeral arrangements (VA).

Families are no longer left to stare at an impersonal telegram and figure out where to go from there. During the Vietnam War, very few programs existed for the benefit or transition of the military spouse or children. Today, there are numerous programs specifically targeted for military families. One such program is an educational program called MyCAA geared towards military spouses (Webber). There are also career resources and job fairs for military spouses, as well as recent legislation called the Spouse Preference Program (Michel). Another program to help special needs military family members is the Exceptional Family Member Program. Additionally, the Department of Defense has provided over 800 child development centers as well as created Ombudsman positions to serve as communication links between family members and the military (Michel).
While similarities between the Vietnam and Afghanistan Wars exist, such as both wars being highly publicized, both suffering from scandals, and both having no clear front line or easily defined enemy, there are several differences. Whereas Vietnam veterans had few benefits and an

educational entitlement that lacked many of the attributes that even their predecessors of World War II had access to, today’s Afghanistan veterans have numerous programs and benefits available to them, as well as a generous educational entitlement. In contrast to Vietnam veterans, who were dehumanized and disrespected by their fellow countrymen upon returning to the United States, Afghanistan veterans are welcomed home by various organizations. Veterans’ organizations actively support the Afghanistan veteran and today’s veterans have representation in Congress. Additionally, the families of military members are supported by numerous programs, support groups, and family liaisons. The military family is treated as a unit, with all members having value to both the service member as well as the military community as a whole, in direct opposition to the Vietnam War era where families were considered burdens. Unlike the Vietnam War veterans, who were held down by political cronyism and the agenda of the previous war’s veterans, today’s veterans have been lifted up and carried on the shoulders of the Vietnam War veteran. Robert E. Lee once said, “What a cruel thing is war: to separate and destroy families and friends, and mar the purest joys and happiness God has granted us in this world; to fill our hearts with hatred instead of love for our neighbors, and to devastate the fair face of this beautiful world.” The true generational difference in war is that the Vietnam veteran has embraced today’s veterans as fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms, recognizing that though they may have fought in different lands, they fight the same war at home. They both struggle with reintegration, family issues, pain, political policies, and the knowledge that though they may have left the war, the war will never truly leave them.