WWII Crash memorial without permanent home

[babylonsister]

Crash memorial without permanent home

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer Tue Sep 25, 3:17 AM ET

WASHINGTON - It's a war memorial without a home.

When 40 U.S. soldiers died during World War II in a plane crash in Australia, even their families weren't told what happened. It took decades for them to find out.

Now, a memorial to their mission sits on the grounds of the Australian Embassy in Washington, waiting for someone to give it a permanent home.

The Senate is expected to vote on a measure this week pushed by Pennsylvania Sens. Arlen Specter and Bob Casey that would direct the Army to move the memorial from the embassy — considered foreign soil — to Arlington National Cemetery. Six of the victims were from Pennsylvania. The rest came from 22 other states.

Putting it at Arlington would bring long-needed closure to the victims' families, said Bob Cutler, executive director of the Bakers Creek Memorial Association.

"In today's world where military families are constantly being reminded by the military that we haven't forgotten you and we will return everything that's yours at the right time, this is unfinished business from World War II," said Cutler, whose late father helped direct the loading of passengers on the plane.

more...

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070925/ap_on_go_co/war_memorial_australia