Family of Beheaded U.S. Man Releases Statement

yahoo news ^ | 5 11 04 | reuters

[freepatriot32]

frame grab taken from web site video footage May 11, 2004, shows a man, who identified himself as Nick Berg of Philadelphia (C) seated in front of his five masked captors moments before he was executed. Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq beheaded an American civilian and vowed more killings in revenge for the abuse of Iraqi prisoners, an Islamist Web site said on Tuesday. After one of the masked men read out a statement, they pushed Berg to the floor and shouted 'God is greatest' above his screams as one of them sawed his head off with a large knife then held it aloft for the camera. (Reuters Tv/Reuters)

WEST CHESTER, Pa. (Reuters) - The family of Nick Berg, the 26-year-old American civilian beheaded in Iraq (news - web sites), said on Tuesday they were devastated by his death.

In a statement read on the lawn of the Berg family's home in West Chester, Pennsylvania, 15 miles west of Philadelphia, neighbor and friend John Hauser described Nick Berg as "a great kid."

"The Berg family is devastated by this loss," the statement said. "They want to extend their sympathy to other families who have also suffered. They are asking the army to expedite the release of Nick's body so they can make arrangements and put this behind them."

Al Qaeda's leader in Iraq beheaded Berg and vowed more killings in revenge for the "Satanic degradation" of Iraqi prisoners at the hands of U.S. troops, an Islamist Web site said on Tuesday.

[MamaB]

I've got news for them. They can not simply put this behind them for a very long time, if ever. As someone who recently lost a beloved daughter, the pain seems to last forever. I think of her when I wake up and she is my last thought before I go to bed. I could not go to church Sunday because I could not face all the special events on that day. My whole family is grieving and her many friends are too. Jan touched so many lives in her too short lifetime. I am bawling as I write this. It hurts so much.

[Irene Adler]

"Note the family wants to "put this behind them." A very odd statement indeed."

Sure was. It struck me, too.

[Mogollon]

The ragheads have learned to play the liberal media like a stradivarius.

[Spunky]

"Was this man an independent contractor?"

That is the way I understand it. He took it upon himself to go over there and do what he could in helping to rebuild.

I don't blame the Military at all for questioning who he was and what his purpose over there was.

[miss marmelstein]

Thanks New Jersey for saying it so succinctly. We have a dopey girl leading a muscular, obviously well-fed male prisoner around on a leash like a poodle and the entire West crumbles. But a man has his HEAD SAWN OFF PUBLICLY and all we can muster is a feeling of regret.

By the way, can someone tell me who these prisoners really are? Am I supposed to believe they're just a bunch of shoplifters?

[MamaB]

You joined just to be critical of our leaders!

[Freedom2specul8]

The islamists over there....treat humans worse than animals..they are savages...period.

[Skyfreak]

Where is the out rage by our Congress, Media, and better yet, the UN?

[TheBigB]

There are too many idiots on this post.

Well, ONE at least.

[livius]

You're not a bad person, just maybe not very bright.

[Howlin]

Why don't you take that crap somewhere else.

[Spunky]

"Knowing the DemonRats, they'll probably say that al Qaeda entered Iraq because of our invasion."

I think I have already heard that said.

[aliquis]

I could never understand this prisoner thing - just don't take any prisoners (this will also ensure that no prisoners are abused). I'm not gonna comment the "put this behind them" bit.

[weegee]

SeeBS owes it to America to at least play the audio of this man's blood curling scream as his head is sawed off even if they only show a graphic of his seated before the Islamofascists.

I watched this video. I know what I am asking.

[Deb]

The Bergs can thank CNN and the Democrat party. The bullet intended for the president has hit their son and will no doubt take out other innocents. Carl Levin, Margaret Carlson and Wolf Blitzer...take a bow.

[Sacajaweau]

I believe that I read that there were Iraqis working at the prison. Is there a missing piece?

[onyx]

You hear our guys hit and destroyed a mosque?

[txrangerette]

It was and is being pursued. Get
your timelines straight on that.
Rumsfeld isn't to blame; it was
at the Brigade Command level down;
so says the Army Maj. Gen. whose
report opened all this up. Sworn
testimony under oath.