FINALLY, RESOLUTION - AT 9:45 A.M. ET:  From The New York Times:

WASHINGTON — Navy officials announced early Sunday that Marines in western Anbar Province, Iraq, had found remains that have been positively identified as those of an American fighter pilot shot down in the opening hours of the first Gulf War in 1991.

The Navy pilot, Michael Scott Speicher, was the only American missing in action from that war. Efforts to determine what happened to him after his F/A-18 Hornet was lost to ground fire on Jan. 17, 1991, had continued despite false rumors and scant information.

COMMENT:  This is important because it provides closure to the family, and demonstrates that we never stop looking for a missing member of our armed services.  It also puts to rest rumors that Capt. Speicher was still being held in Iraq.

The appropriate thing now, of course, would be a reburial at Arlington, or a cemetery chosen by the family.  The president should attend, or at least send a high-ranking representative, to show respect.

August 2, 2009