Pentagon Scripted Fallen Soldiers Ceremonies

For years, the Pentagon staged arrival ceremonies that honored fallen soldiers but did not depict their actual return to U.S. soil. When questions arose, officials released a statement admitting that these were "pre-planned ceremonies" that were "symbolic in nature, with the purpose of honoring those Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice in support of our nation." The wording acknowledged that the events audiences watched were carefully scripted rituals rather than real-time homecomings.

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