Guard soldiers prepare the dead in Iraq

[Barrett808]

Guard soldiers prepare the dead in Iraq
By REBECCA SANTANA, Associated Press Writer

CAMP ANACONDA, Iraq - In a small, quiet corner of this huge base, a soft-spoken group of National Guard soldiers sees to one of war's most gruesome tasks: preparing the bodies of American troops who have died in combat to return home.

The six-member team, from the 311th Quartermaster Company in Puerto Rico, is one of five mortuary teams at bases across Iraq. These soldiers have prepared more than 100 bodies of American troops to be sent home.

They've also prepared about 200 bodies of Iraqi civilians, detainees, police, soldiers and civilian contractors.

"We treat all human remains with the same respect," said Sgt. Carlos Colon, 25. "Everywhere we carry them, they go feet first as if they were walking."

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060809/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_mortuary_team_lh1