Posted on 08/25/2004 2:53:39 PM PDT by ambrose
Posted on Wed, Aug. 25, 2004
Man Burns Marine Van After GI Son's Death
Associated Press
HOLLYWOOD, Fla. - A man set fire to a Marine Corps van and suffered severe burns Wednesday after he was told his Marine son had been killed in Iraq, police said.
Marines went to the house in Hollywood to tell the parents of a 20-year-old private first class that their son died Tuesday in Najaf, police said in a statement.
The man, whose name was not immediately released, then walked out of the house with a torch and what appeared to be a container of flammable liquid.
The Marines tried to stop him from starting the fire, but he set himself on fire in the process and was inside the burning van when the Marines pulled him out and put out the flames, police said.
The man was taken to a hospital but his condition was not immediately available.
This is not something to mock. This is a man so full or grief. This is one of the saddest stories I have read in a long time.
ping
The Marine Lance Corporal son of a close friend of mine was one of the earliest killed in the 'insurgency' in Najaf.
Though devasted, this family honored our country, God and their son in every detail throughout their time of grieving.
But I'm willing to cut this devastated father a whole lot of slack. Everyone reacts to tragedy differently. Some people snap.
He and the rest of this family are in my prayers.
Any normal person feels the pain of the father of the fallen marine but your language is not helping.
This is not something to mock. This is a man so full or grief. This is one of the saddest stories I have read in a long time.
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The Bible says to love your neighbor in his time of grief.
My farming neigbhors put out a hand in time of need, not slap it.
Sorry guys and gals.
This needs our arms, our shoulders to cry on, not a kick in the rear.
Time will heal the van and the material things can be repaired, but his life and his heart is broken forever.
Tears
I agree, what a sad, sad story.
God bless the hero son and and grieving father.
duh hmmmm still cannot find on the DOD site marine Pvt KIA this week from Florida
willfully destroyed government property
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These are very strong words, you and do not know of the mental state of the man at the time of the fire. Do you have first hand knowledge you would like to share with the readers?
Well said. And count me as one of CHICAGOFARMER's 12 who thought this was wrong.
I'm sure the media will make Ameica out to be that bad guy for an irrational response from a family.
Please pass on my thanks to your brave children for serving our country during these dangerous times!
Have you lost a child? Do you know what you would do in that circumstance? Have you ever known real grief?
You judgemental types are such a pain.
It sounds like the Marines were able to handle this with real professionalism and grace, which comes as no surprise.
Thanks for saying what you said.
+ peace +
I dont think any of know how we would handle the loss of a child. Having your sons and/or daughters serving in a war zone is stressful enough. Most of deal with it by surrounding ourselves with others who are in the same position and will support us emotionally day and night. That is not always an easy thing to do,but most of us handle it rationally.
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