I'm sure these guys would agree with you.
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.
It's just one terrible situation from start to finish. Very tragic. I really feel for the mother, husband in the hospital, son dead.
Antone here ever gone through that? I hope I never have to.
Thnak you for sharing from your experience. I am very sorry for your loss.
Sometimes we just don't know what our fellow Freepers have gone through.
If it happens, you will learn first-hand the deep grief of King David at the loss of his son Absalom. Fortunately, King David left me hope as well. As David said, my son cannot come back to me but I can go to him. I'm counting on it and that has made the difference. My son was a Christian and so am I. We will reunite.
What hope is there in the world without faith?
Sorry this is not a crime.
Last time I looked, setting fire to a military vehicle was a crime. Attempted suicide is also a crime in all states.
Grief is not an excuse to commit a crime. It may be a reason, but it is not an excuse.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
HERE IS THE ANSWER YOU ARE MISSING
I cannot imagine the loss of my son. I've lost two great friends within the last 9 months. Both were horrific, out of the blue tragedies. It breaks my heart to hear of this father's grief and his reaction to it. God help me if I ever become as cold and jaded as some of the responses i've read on this thread. This isn't about politics or liberals or conservatives. This is about human life. The man lost his son.
By the way suicide is not a crime it is a mendical problem. People seldom go to prision for an suicide attempt. You are watching too much MTV.
79 posted on 08/25/2004 9:27:29 PM CDT by Liberty Valance (Keep a simple manner for a happy life :o)
Can we separate the various issues here? That would make for a better discussion.
Regarding the loss of the son: yes, that is unspeakably tragic, and I sympathize with the gentleman. No one will hear any flippant comments from me in this regard.
Regarding the burning of the van: this action is irresponsible (I am judging the ACTION, not the PERSON).
Can a person hold both of these views at the same time? I believe so.
That's what I heard in two accounts. In one the three marines had to drag him out of the burning van. I can't imagine the grief this man is going through. He is definitly in my prayers.
An attempted suicide prompted by unimaginable pain was the first thing that came to mind. Prayers for this family in their sorrow and pain.
I have three grown children. They didn't get to adulthood without the grace of God. I know well what you mean about being in prayer for your children. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
I commend you for your faith in the fact that we shall see our loved ones again, thanks to our Lord's work on the Cross. Your son still lives,in His presence now, and what a day of rejoicing that will be when we are reunited!
Without faith, we would would be the most hopeless of men. Your faith helps you to deal with the pain. And it is not in vain.
God bless you and yours today,my friend.
Very, very sad.
I don't see how anyone can read so much into this. Nobody KNOWS for sure how they will act at moments like this. Shock can do some amazing things. The man had just learned his son had died. I'm guessing he loved his son much and took it rather hard. Not something to be made fun of.
I'll keep my private pain to myself, thanks. People used to face grief in a manly, stoical fashion.
I know two preteens who suddenly lost their beloved father on 9/11. They managed to comfort their mother rather than start fires and put people's lives in danger.
The only mitigating thing I can say about this disgusting display is that maybe he had a legitimate, clinical psychotic episode.
You judgemental types are such a pain.
Yeah, you're right. There should be no rules and everyone should just do whatever comes into their heads, you know, like animals do.
Maybe we should work out a list of acceptable excuses for violent crimes. "Officer, that man just put a shotgun slug in my door!" "Sorry, ma'am, there's nothing we can do. His grandma died of cancer yesterday - we have to let him go."
I assume they won't charge him, since no one seems to have been seriously injured.
The guy probably needs a psych evaluation anyway, the more I read about the incident.
I'm sure these guys would agree with you.
Manigualts S.C. Artillery(my g.g. grandfather)
Battery White(SCV)
Deo Vindice!
regards,
Van
People often use the phrase, "There, but for the grace of God, go I." The problem with that phrase is, if it is true, neither me, my wife, my daughter (who was driving the car in which our son, her brother, was fatally injured), or my dead son are living under the grace of God. In other words, if your children live long lives and mine don't, do I, my wife and children have no claim to the grace of God?
The answer is not that God grants you grace and withholds it from me in some cruel game of divine reward and punishment. The answer is the sinful world is flawed and unfair. It is not a perfect world and, because of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden, we all face such things as pain and sickness and murder and war and accident and so many other dangers in the world.
The good news is the world cannot deal us an unhappy ending if we cling to the cross of Christ because no matter the lousy hand we are dealt here, we are promised a happy ending and can trust in it.
Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Well stated points about grace.It reminds me of the following verse:
2 Corinthians 12:9 And He said to me, " My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore, most gladly, I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me."
We both rest in His grace.
I hope you will be able to help others who have had a similar experience to yours.What you have learned cannot be learned from a book. It is born of walking with Him.
To all those cruel posters who said this man was a criminal. I think this story tells all. Passion, Love Caring.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1201263/posts
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