and their families who rely on these benefits. but maybe even more acutely, the secretary of defense is headed to dover to meet these remains. this is very unusual. can you put that in context for me, barbara? >> reporter: well, there are a few times in the past when secretaries of defense have tramped to dover. the president of the united states has traveled to dover to pay their respects to the families of the fallen. but i think, it's fair to say, make no mistake, chuck hagel went today to send a message to washington and bring this matter to public attention. this is very much worth remembering that chuck hagel is a highly decorated, wounded veteran of very heavy combat in the vietnam war himself. these men, despite the politics, feel these issues very deeply about the wounded. and to make clear here, the -- for centuries, the u.s. government has had a compact with those who serve.