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Send loved ones to Dover

Family members who lost loved ones overseas have always been allowed to attend the “dignified transfer” ceremonies at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

But they had to pay their own way — an expense that kept many who lived far off from making the trip.

Five months ago, the Defense Department started paying the travel costs for up to three relatives of each fallen airman, sailor, soldier and Marine. Since then, the number of families coming to Dover has increased from 5 percent to 72 percent.

Covering the travel expenses is the honorable thing to do. But the policy doesn’t go quite far enough.

Instead of limiting the travel reimbursement to an arbitrary three family members, the Defense Department should pay the airfare, lodging and meals for all immediate family members — spouse, children, parents and siblings. The loss of a loved one is difficult enough without family members going into debt to make the trip or even worse — having to decide among themselves who goes and who doesn’t.

Whatever the expense, it can’t compare to the loss of a son or daughter, husband or wife, brother or sister.

When Defense Secretary Robert Gates lifted the ban on media coverage at Dover earlier this year, he said he had also asked a working group to explore “ways in which we might further assist the families of those who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country.”

Paying the way for all immediate family members is one way the U.S. can show how much it cares for service members and their loved ones.