When a soldier serving in Iraq hears about the protests at funerals of dead soldiers?
486490
I do alot of posting on http://www.military.com....\n\nhere is link to that topic and the reactions to protestors at military members funerals....\nthey got a lot to say about that.\nlink is to military.com forums.\nmilitary people...active, retired, vets etc address the same question.\n\nhttp://forums.military.com/groupee/forums?a=search&reqWords=protestors+at+soldiers+funeral&exactPhrase=&optWords=&notWords=&f=all&subjectOnly=N&afterDate=&beforeDate=&authorName=&exactAuthor=Y&sortType=0&ptyp_poll=Y&ptyp_album=Y&ptyp_msg=Y&ptyp_count=3&x_display_post_details=1&groupType=1&search=Search\n\n\nwhen one of these protestors gets shot by distraught parents or brothers or friends...will it be Ok for a bunch of soldiers to celebrate at deceased protestors funeral?\n\nI say...THROW A KEGGER!!!\n\nnote: and ..the protestors are so called "CHRISTIANS" from the WESTBORO BAPTIST CHURCH !!!\nhttp://www.military.com/NewsContent/0,13319,87269,00.html
263026
They are trying to pass a law in Topeka, KS that you cannot picket a funeral.  The problem with Phelps was that he was a civil rights lawyer and he knows the ins and outs of what he can and can't do.  Believe me, I think he's the worst thing in Kansas right now.  But at least there are people who go to the funerals and hold up flags to honor the fallen soldiers and their families.  Don't worry, he had about 10 or 15 protesters there Sat, the 4th.  But the people keeping him out of the funeral were about 500 strong.
344269
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.\n\n \n\n            Pfc. Patrick A. Tinnell, 25, of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., died in As Siniyah, Iraq, on April 19, when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device detonated during a dismounted combat patrol.  Tinnell was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.
807566
People who believe this is freedom of speech have disregarded the families right to privacy, especially to cereminiously honor there loved ones that have died.  If racial remarks were said outside of a minority's funeral or hateful remarks to homosexuals funeral, it wouldn't be tolerated.  It shouldn't be tolerated for a soldier's funeral either.
1119988
Reading the news on what happened to the two soldiers have saddened me deeply. It's horrible to hear how some people, people without regards for morals or sympathy, would do something as terrible as this to two young soldiers. Its disheartening to hear something like this because they are young citizens, a human being like you and me, taken away from this world by means of extreme violence. These soldiers have family and friends who will have to suffer from their loss. These soldiers will no longer have the ability to live life further than they have lived it. Its disheartnening to hear about something like this. May they rest in peace.\nI commend the two soldiers who have died serving our country, and to all members of the armed services who have, had, and will defend our country.
1016193
HIstory will be the judge of what we've done, but we won't know until long after we're gone. \nHow can you know something after you're dead?????\nAnother would be "Bring 'em on" They did, and hundreds of soldiers died. He apologized for that one though, about 3 weeks ago with Tony Blair by his side. Dumb.
1175503
If you served with the armed forces, then you have the right to be buried in uniform, apart from your medals, which will be presented to your family.\n\nThis right is a funeral with full military honours and will also include the establishment flags and ensign to be flown at half mast, your coffin to be flag drapped and a 3 volley salute fired by an armed guard.  \n\nYou also have the last post played as a mark of respect to all fallen comardes.
430334
I feel that in a given situation what started as good intent has turned bad.  Our soldiers went to Iraq on a mission for our leaders, a mission disguised as Democracy.  You cannot blame the soldiers.  When this mission did not turn in favor of our leaders bad things began to happen, soldiers in confusion, some of them young and very ignorant or unknowledgable of the Iraqi culture, or any respect of other cultures, some just the a-holes that we interact with on any given day back here in the USA, those who are high strung or have a superior than you attitude. Some, terrified young men and woman just out of high school who have yet to experience  anything of the world. Some very honorable and moral human beings-our soldiers are as diverse in humanity as any civilian on our streets-good and bad people. They are thrown into a seemingly hopeless and confusing situation.  Yes, it has turned bad, horrifically bad.  My cousin returned from his tour just 6 months ago and the heinous crimes he witnessed by his fellow soldiers against Iraqis was mentally trying and heartwrenching for him (I wish I could say more of his proof that he has, it is visual and graphically distburing)..but he feared for his own safety and feared to report some the callous acts of these soldiers as threats were made against him when he confronted them. One went as far as to make a comment of "Friendly Fire" and how dishonorable that it is to go home in a coffin from an "accident" instead of courageous battle.  There are bad people and yes some are our own, the best thing for us to do is leave Iraq.  I have said it before its not losing a war but admitting an error.  I have heard of the atrocities our soldiers are doing to civilians, and the lack of hesitation towards anyone as if they are all enemies from a soldier, an honorable person, my cousin. A man who beloves strongly in God and Faith and is terrified to speak out on what he has seen ...I hope he finds the courage to speak out and our government to admit the mistakes that they have made.\nHope this gives you insight to how some of us feel about what you mentioned.  I love and respect all cultures and all religions even if I do not understand them or agree with them, that is why the world is the world we live in the joy of diversity , the abiltiy to learn something new from someone, from ones culture.
855354
I think pride does not come into the equasion.How can it when thousands of innocent iraqi men women and children have perished.British soldiers were sent to a war that was based on lies and propaganda.The casualties of war are but a name and number to the heads of government.They can never feel the pain and suffering of the families that are left grieving.They might as well say "we lied, and for that you died"How can they possibly be proud of that.Ashamed is what they should feel...but somehow i doubt that they do.
1028873
As a soldier in Iraq, I watch the news and realize there are two wars.  The one that I am living every day with my fellow soldiers, and the one on CNN.  The two are very different.  The news version rarely focuses on the good things that soldiers are doing for this country and for it's people.  I have seen people that have had little access to medical care get treated.  I have seen family's get help feeding and clothing their family's.  I have watched a county start to rebuild itself.  Germany did not rebuild itself over night, and neither will Iraq.\nI used to get mad when I would see the daily violence on TV, but realized that I am defending their right to free speech.  I don't always agree with what they say, but I will defend the right for them to say it.
1142354
I'm with Tcat on this one.  Maybe he shouldn't be given a burial in accordance with Muslim Law (Jordan won't even take his body), but he definitely shouldn't be desecrated.  What kind of message does that send to Iraqis about their "liberators"?
1006059
It is a shame that people are dying.  But the soldiers are in Iraq to try to better the lives of the Iraqi people as a whole.  I don't agree with war, but I also don't agree with oppression or dictatorships.  So it has me upset in more ways than one.  I do not want anymore people to get hurt, but what about all those that died under Hussein's regime?  One of those soldiers were from close to where I live...he was from Springfield, MA.  It does feel like it is never going to end.  I support the soldiers, for I know that they are doing their job, and it must be hell for them.  So I am a torn soul when it comes to this war.  I hope that the people involved are safe and no more harm comes to them...I can HOPE.
795219
I'm not jumping on the democratic mind frame. However I am having some serious questions about just how much the Iraqis them self want change. I know people that are in Iraq right now. During Ramadan the Iraqi soldiers did not get paid. So they just packed up and left the base. Leaving our guys to have a skeleton crew trying to hold the base down. This makes me wonder if our guys are giving their lives for Iraqis that are only in it for the money. Well than maybe I do need to take another look.
1083076
I have heard about and it is absolutley appalling!  On a brighter note, there is a  national group of motorcycle- riding activists and veterans  called "Patriot  Guard Riders"out there that has been going to many of these same funerals, they however are doing a wonderful thing. They are either running interference between the protesters and the family, shielding the families from these ridiculos intruders, or simply showing up to show support for the fallen heros and their families.
1092698
I came back from Iraq and went to Mass. After the Mass the Priest said during the announcements, "Oh he doesn't know it yet but, there's a soldier who just came back from Iraq. In the back room we're having a big dinner for him." I cried my eyes out.
673772
My husband is in the military as well. Have you ever noticed that the people protesting are the same people that would never lift a finger to serve anything but themselves? Yet they have the audacity to criticize and question those who do, they should just say thank you, or not. \nThese people wouldn't dream of serving our nation even if it were deemed a "Just Cause" They are talkers, They make me sick. Most wars aren't popular, they suck in general. Thank you for serving.
1071140
I agree with the protest of funerals..but I dint see it in person, the worst thing I saw in person was a group of haitian migrants trying to come illegally to FL, their boat sank, when we arrived on seen they were mostly eaten by sharks already