Father Who Believes Son is in 'Coffin' Photo Thanks 'Seattle Times' for Running It

By: Greg Mitchell The father of a U.S. Army soldier killed in Iraq earlier this month, who believes his son was in one of the caskets shown in the now famous Tami Silicio photograph, has written a letter to The Seattle Times thanking the newspaper for publishing the picture that broke a Pentagon ban.

"Hiding the death and destruction of this war does not make it easier on anyone except those who want to keep the truth away from the people," the father, Bill Mitchell, wrote yesterday. The letter has not yet been published.

In a postcript to the letter, he added: "I would be willing to help that poor woman in Kuwait [Silicio] who lost her job over the picture which she felt needed to be seen. Possibly even with enough press coverage, the other parents who lost children on the same day as my son would also feel that she did a service for us."

E&P received a copy of the April 27 letter from Mitchell, father of SSG Michael W. Mitchell, 25, who was killed on April 4.

Publication of the photo in the Seattle Times (the image now appears on the homepage of E&P Online) sparked controversy, with many newspapers endorsing the move but some public officials, including President Bush, and military leaders arguing against showing the caskets without permission of the families. The Pentagon has re-affirmed its ban on such photos, also citing concerns about the families.

But the father of Michael Mitchell has stepped forward to offer his approval, believing his son's casket may be in the photo. Mike Mitchell had served in Iraq for 11 months as part of the 1st Armored Division.

Bill Mitchell, who lives in Atascadero, Calif., had first contacted E&P last week after Editor Greg Mitchell (no relation) mentioned Mike Mitchell by name in the April 8 "Pressing Issues" Web column.

The text of his letter to Hal Bernton, the Seattle Times reporter who wrote the story that accompanied the Silicio photo, follows:

Dear Hal --

I read with great interest your article regarding the woman who was fired for taking the pictures of the flag-draped coffins on 4/7/04. My son, SSG Michael W. Mitchell, was killed on 4/4/04 in the first day of the Shiite uprising in Sadr City. He was one of eight soldiers killed that day in that attack. I am quite positive that he was inside one of those coffins in the picture.

I am happy that you ran the story and showed the picture. I would like everyone to know the devastation that this event has brought upon Mike's family and friends. In fact, Mike's grandpa at 86 says that this is the worst thing that has happened in his entire life -- that says a lot right there!!!

Hiding the death and destruction of this war does not make it easier on anyone except those who want to keep the truth away from the people. I know that the current government policy has the bodies being flown in under the cloak of darkness. I also know that photographers are barred from the area so that pictures such as the one you ran in your newspaper cannot be shown to the people. Pictures such as these alter peoples' perception and awareness and they have to admit the reality of the situation that young men and women are being killed.

I do believe our government learned this lesson from the war in Vietnam and that was one of the influential factors in bringing about its end.

Things are getting worse in Iraq and if there is anything that I can do so that other parents can be spared the pain that is happening in my life, I will do it.

In fact, I would be willing to furnish you a picture of my son in his casket if you would like to run it in your paper. Sort of a follow-up story that would just take it one step further than the picture shown inside the airplane with a bunch of anonymous flag-draped coffins. I don't think I can be fired, as I do not have a job!!! I am currently in Germany taking care of my son's fiancee because officially, she is not recognized by the U.S. Army even though she was the reason that he re-enlisted twice; the last time being just 3 weeks prior to his death.

Hal -- I am just full of stories and if you and your newspaper are interested, just let me know.

Sincerely,

Bill Mitchell
Atascadero, CA


Mitchell also notes that donations in his son's memory can be sent to the Mike Mitchell Memorial Fund c/o Santa Lucia Bank, 7480 el Camino Real, Atascadero, CA 93422.

The soldier was scheduled to be married in August. In a flyer for the Memorial Fund, his father writes: "Mike had a heart the size of a basketball and he so much loved to spend time with his family and friends. He ate healthy, ran daily (he even went for a run on the morning of his death), did not drink, smoke or do drugs. Mike was a serious fisherman and enjoyed camping, hiking, and backpacking. Of those that love Mike so, our world has been turned upside-down."