The US once shipped thousands of mothers overseas to see their sons' graves

The US once shipped thousands of mothers overseas to see their sons' graves

Today, the loss of a service member comes with a $100,000 price tag. Known as a “death gratuity,” the tax-exempt payment covers up to three family members to witness the return of their fallen family member at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. This fee was first established in 1908 when military spouses or next of kin received six months of pay in the event of their service member’s death. In 1991, a flat rate was set at $6,000, which increased …