Manner of Death Determining Memorial Spot
Manner of Death Determining Memorial Spot Save Email Print
HAMPTON, Va. (AP)
Posted: 3:00 AM Nov 20, 2008
Last Updated: 5:28 PM Nov 19, 2008


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Marine Lance Cpl. Darrell Schumann fought bloody door-to-door battles for three months in Fallujah in late 2004. A few weeks later, he boarded a helicopter for the first leg of his trip home.

The helicopter, carrying the 25-year-old Schumann and 30 comrades, flew into a sandstorm and crashed in the Iraqi desert, killing everyone on board.

President Bush praised Schumann by name for his valor. But his name will not be found on the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond.

State officials have deemed that only the names of service members killed in hostile combat in the Middle East will be added to the stone-and-glass walls, which bear the names of 11,600 Virginians killed since World War II.

Recent veterans who died under other circumstances are excluded.

The policy has changed since the memorial was erected, and the names of many service members who were killed in accidents are found on the wall.

Darrell's father, Rick Schumann, wants the policy changed again.

Del. Vivian Watts says it's time to consider changing the memorial policy, even if it means passing new legislation.

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