A White House-distributed photo showing President Barack Obama saluting on the Dover Air Force Base tarmac during a Tuesday ceremony on the return of the remains of 30 American troops killed in a weekend helicopter crash in Afghanistan, came as a surprise to the Pentagon, notes Grumpy Editor.
The photo, with others standing by the president, was shot in silhouette mode by a White House photographer.
It was distributed despite the Pentagon’s claim that any public depiction of the event would violate wishes of the bereaved families, Associated Press reported.
Under a Pentagon policy set two years ago, media coverage of returning military dead at Dover is allowed only when family members approve.
Because 19 of the 30 families of the deceased had objected to media coverage of the remains coming off a plane at Dover, the Pentagon said no images could be taken.
The Pentagon did not know the White House photographer was present and had no idea a photo of the event was being released until it became public, said Doug Wilson, head of public affairs at the Pentagon, AP pointed out.
Wilson said photographers who routinely travel with the defense secretary and the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff were not allowed to go to the event and no official Pentagon photos were taken or released.
Nevertheless, in addition to wide distribution, the White House Web site posted the image as “Photo of the Day.”
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