WASHINGTON, 29 March 2003 — The remains of 18 US soldiers killed in Iraq returned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware this week via military transport, an official said yesterday.
“We received the first two sets of remains Tuesday and 16 sets yesterday (Thursday),” said Lt. Dustin Hart, a spokesman at the northeastern US air force base. The solemn transfer of the remains was carried out far from television cameras, in accordance with Defense Department policy.
The bodies, placed in temporary coffins draped with the US flag, were received by a top officer at the base, a chaplain and an Honor Guard. They were taken to the morgue, where they will be placed in their actual coffins before being buried.
