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[0:05] ..." a first time visit to the military mortuary. And chapel at Dover Air Force Base is the remains of eighteen Americans. Most of them service members were returned after a bloody week in Afghanistan he BC White House correspondent company joins us from the White House. And typically use the president's travels are announced in advance. But they wanted to keep this one pretty quiet."...
[0:38] ..." usual big Marine One victim mop in the total darkness on the White House South Lawn. And -- him a hundred miles up the coast to Dover. And he went first to the base chapel where"...
[2:31] ..." he's we we do know that tomorrow he meets with achieve their Joint Chiefs of Staff -- of the military officers from each services can say. Okay Mr. President if this is going to be your policy here's"...
[3:05] ..." public announcement will come after the voting is done in Afghanistan ABC White House correspondent Ann Compton and thank you thank you --"...
[0:00]" It was the middle of the night it was not announced in advance and it was the commander in chief making a first time visit to the military mortuary. And chapel at Dover Air Force Base is the remains of eighteen Americans. Most of them service members were returned after a bloody week in Afghanistan he BC White House correspondent company joins us from the White House. And typically use the president's travels are announced in advance. But they wanted to keep this one pretty quiet."
[0:28]" Well this -- has to be such a powerful moment for the commander in chief was deciding. How many more Americans to put in harm's way and a small helicopter not as usual big Marine One victim mop in the total darkness on the White House South Lawn. And -- him a hundred miles up the coast to Dover. And he went first to the base chapel where he met with the families who had gathered in the middle of the night -- this plane arriving. And then we're told that at one point he and his military aid. Went aboard this cavernous C seventeen. Cargo plane and that the two of them just stood alone with the eighteen flag draped cases. It must be a very powerful. Reminder to any commander in chief western decide is his responsibility. To decide whether men and women are sent into combat."
[1:18]" The pictures of the eventual the president. Standing firmly and attention and hold the sort of military salute that they teach sailors in the blue jacket Manuel. He looked very grave and very serious and."
[1:30]" Oh yeah he did I think that was the most dramatic scene we saw from Dover overnight only one family that of sergeant dale Griffin. I'll vote terra haute Indiana decided they didn't want media coverage. And it's an -- so dramatic. As the case. The now bearing the remains covered by an American -- is carried down the ramp from the plane. President Obama the army officers the attorney general Eric Holder and all the dignitaries standing in line. Slowly in unison to raise their right arm into a salute and hold it staring straight ahead. As the case passes. AM a very meticulous military maneuver. They are they take this kind of repatriation. Ritual very very seriously."
[2:17]" The president's at a Press Secretary says the toughest part of mr. Obama -- days signing those. Condolence letters wind and do we expect him to make the announcement about how many if any more troops he'll be sent into Afghanistan."
[2:29]" Well he's not quite there yet we're told he's we we do know that tomorrow he meets with achieve their Joint Chiefs of Staff -- of the military officers from each services can say. Okay Mr. President if this is going to be your policy here's how many troops we would need and here's where we would get them so this as a kind of a nuts and bolts meeting I would expect. So it would be another week or so before he's ready to announce -- but -- The president is reluctant to. Say how many troops -- consent and before the scheduled presidential runoff elections November 7 he may make the decision. The gears may begin to turn at the Pentagon. But we think the public announcement will come after the voting is done in Afghanistan ABC White House correspondent Ann Compton and thank you thank you --"













