CA: Mother of soldier killed in Iraq objects to memorial

AP on Monterey Herald ^ | 8/16/05 | AP - Santa Barbara

[NormsRevenge]

SANTA BARBARA - The mother of a Lompoc soldier killed in Iraq is demanding that her son's name be removed from what she considers anti-war memorials on the beach here and outside President Bush's Texas ranch.

Air Force Capt. Derek Argel's remains were buried with four of his comrades at Arlington National Cemetery last week. His mother, Debbie Argel Bastian, says the other memorials are an insult to his memory.

"I'm livid about it," Bastian said of the weekly beach display on Santa Barbara's West Beach and the smaller memorial in Texas, where the mother of another dead soldier has made headlines with a weeklong protest.

"Derek would not want to be remembered that way."

Argel, 28, was killed in a plane crash on Memorial Day during a training mission northwest of Baghdad.

Almost every weekend since Veteran's Day 2003, volunteers with the Santa Barbara chapter of Veterans for Peace have erected in the sand a display of crosses - now numbering more than 1,800 - representing U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. The memorial has received international attention and other towns around the nation have replicated it.

Organizers say the display is not an anti-war statement but is intended to "make the consequences of war real, and to allow people to express their grief, respect and thoughts." While the group will not remove Argel's cross, it may, out of deference to Bastian, move it out of the front row, said Lane Anderson, a Veterans for Peace member.

Cindy Sheehan of Vacaville, Calif., has attracted international attention for her vigil outside President Bush's ranch. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in April 2004.

Bastian said she thinks Sheehan's protest is inappropriate in a time of war.

[popdonnelly]

What makes these people think they can use a deceased serviceman or woman's name without the family's permission? I guess the answer is, they don't think.

[lormand]

I saw this coming.

[JRios1968]

Par for the course from the Moonbats.

[cambridge]

I don't understand why casualty figures have to be released to the press. Is it the law?

[wildwood]

they DO think about what they do...they just, as usual, think their priorities, morals and sensibilities are better than everyone else's. they are "enlightened, anointed" and when we come to our senses, we will figure that out.

they are vultures. poverty pimps. opportunists. grief mongers. malcontents.

[wideawake]

Uh-oh, moonbats.

The adults are getting angry.

[NormsRevenge]

For those who can hold their breath a lonnnUNGGGng time.. I haven't read it ...

Cindy Sheehan: Day Nine: 'Now I know how Mickey Mouse feels at Disneyland'...

link to HuffingtonComPost.com

Cindy Sheehan: Day Nine at Camp Casey

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/huffpost/20050815/cm_huffpost/005665_200508150328

[Shazolene]

"Cindy Sheehan: Day Nine: 'Now I know how Mickey Mouse feels at Disneyland'... "

No, Cindy, wrong character... You're just Goofy.

[Hi Heels]

That was my thought. In the words of my father, "Hello? Yer tryin' my patience......"

That would, of course, bring every one of my dad's 13 kids to an immediate attention with a eye on that big AF issue belt.

[MattMa]

Let's hope that more parents will start making a fuss about the markers.

In a related note; Casey Sheehans' mother reports that someone in Crawford, TX knock down many of the cross's with a pipe connected to a truck. The driver was taken to the LE offices.

[lowbridge]

bump

[colorado tanker]

What makes these people think they can use a deceased serviceman or woman's name without the family's permission? I guess the answer is, they don't think.

Because to liberals, the end justifies the means, any means, especially if the end is to express their white-hot hatred of President Bush.

Same reason the moonbat thinks its OK to use her deceased hero's name for political purposes in a way he almost certainly would have objected to.

[NormsRevenge]

FR threads FoR:



"Cindy Sheehan: Day Nine: 'Now I know how Mickey Mouse feels at Disneyland'... "

---

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1464057/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1464056/posts

[trebb]

While the group will not remove Argel's cross, it may, out of deference to Bastian, move it out of the front row, said Lane Anderson, a Veterans for Peace member.

How sick - deference would be to do the decent thing and remove it per her request. No shame, no morals, no . . . anything good, it would seem.

[Rabid Dog]

Ventura County Ping

[ZGuy]

Legally, I don't think the mother has a case unless she licenses her son's name -- Just like the family of any famous deceased person has to license that name to keep it from being used by others. However, even if it was licensed, the protesters would probably get away with using it by claiming that what they are doing is "art"

[DJ MacWoW]

This is the 2nd angry parent. I hope more speak up!

Parents Upset About Sheehan's Protest

[armymarinemom]

I'm glad to see this mother coming out. The MSM needs to know that it's sickening to see the left exploit everyone. When these guys use the names of all of our fallen troops they try to speak for everyone. It may not be illegal but it's wrong.

[BushisTheMan]

She and all mothers who respect their sons and daughers service should do a class action and sue...Ben & Jerry's first. Then move on to CodeSTink, and then Cindy Sheehan herself.

These mothers should have THAT RIGHT TO SPEAK UP as the presstitudes keep saying about Cindy Moonbat.