Identifying the Dead Soldier

For some reason my thoughts have been on this all day and I'm a mess. I don't know why these things come up and I start thinking about them and I can't get them out of my mind.

I came on duty and was told that we had a soldier in the Morgue and that someone from his Unit would be in to identify the remains. I was told to take them in to identify the body. I was afraid and worried. It may sound strange, but I had been in the Morgue many times and bagged numerous bodies, but had never opened a bag I didn't know what to expect and afraid of what I'd see. I'm so embarrassed now about feeling that way and feel so sorry about my feelings being so self-centered.

Eventually two individuals came in from his Unit. One NCO and one Officer I believe. I took them to the Morgue that was basically a wooden structure outside the ER area. I unlocked the padlocked door and took them in. I took them to the bag located on a rack on a stretcher and pointed to it. I was told to "open it". Again, being afraid of what I'd see and it being something I could not be prepared for, I unzipped the bag and opened it in a way so that they could see this young man and identify him without me looking into the bag. I heard comments regarding his injuries and became very angry. They seemed to be more impressed about what they saw rather than really looking at a young GI who died and identifying him. My anger took over and I asked "is it him" and they said yes. I immediately closed the bag and got them out of the Morgue. As we were walking into the ER and A&D area I heard them talk about the wounds and how some of their comrades were coming over and they would take them to look at this young soldier wounds. There was no doubt this was just to look and ooh and aah about what they saw and could brag about to others.

My E-7 came in that night which was somewhat rare as he was days. I told him what had happened and I was so upset and angry and that I didn't want to do this again and how wrong it was. I told him they just wanted to see the wounds and that is all they cared about. I guess I was pretty crazy but he understood and I am so thankful he did. When the other men came in and joined the other two they said they wanted to go back to the Morgue to see this young man. My Sergeant said "No", you have already identified him and no one was going back in. I was so relieved. Not because I would have to go in again but that my Sergeant understood and respected this young man who died.

I am so sorry and pray to God for forgiveness for being so selfish and I pray for this young man and his family.