Wisconsin National Guard’s funeral detail
I guess no one has learned that the reach of social media can make you a villain in moments. Last night, a photo circulated around the inter-stuff with a photo of a member of the Wisconsin National Guard complaining about being on funeral detail in the winter in that icy wonderland, followed by a picture of an entire detail horsing around a flag-draped coffin. The aforementioned Guardsman wrote that they put the “fun” in funeral. Of course, it sparked an outrage. By the time we went to bed, it was news;
WISN 12 News has learned the casket shown in the photo was empty, but some online are upset at the caption at the bottom saying, “We put the ‘fun’ in funeral.”
A spokesman for the Wisconsin National Guard confirmed for WISN 12 News that the woman is a member in Milwaukee.
WISN 12 News reporter Christina Palladino reached the specialist by phone Monday evening. She told Palladino she was contacted by the National Guard Monday, but she would not comment any further on the photo controversy.
I posted the pictures on our Facebook fan page, because I think visitors to this blog didn’t need to have their senses assaulted by the image – for some reason, the pictures have been removed on Facebook now. But if you’re interested, they’re at this news story;
News 3 talked with Maj. Paul Rickert, the director of public affairs for the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs. He said the guard just learned of the news via social media on Monday and are looking into the matter.
Outraged Facebook users say the guard member is Teresa Harrison. Rickert could only confirm that there is a Teresa Harrison in the Honor Guard, but he could not confirm that Harrison posted the pictures.
“We are currently looking into this matter,” Rickert said. “We just found out about this just this afternoon, so we’re just starting to look into it.” Rickert added that the Honor Guard takes the job of honoring fallen soldiers very seriously.
According to the Wisconsin National Guard, the coffin in the picture was empty and the picture was taken during their training for their job as funeral detail.
I say once again; don’t act a fool, and certainly, don’t take pictures of it and post it to the internet, FFS.
Category: Shitbags
There were soldiers in that Photo from all over the US. The one with the coffin. One of them I believe was at a funeral I attended and is in the MAANG. Will say that she and her partner there did an outstanding job…
Honestly, that photo of them goofing around the “training aid” was an incredibly bad idea on their part, and the NCOIC should have their clock cleaned for thinking it was a good idea.
The other photos, and comments made by the one individual who is apparently also in the Wisconsin Guard… No class, disrespectful bitch! Hope she enjoys standing in front of her Commander and explaining her absolute disrespectful attitude, and understands why they will toss her ass on out of the military.
Saying that “somebody is getting a jacked up flag” was so incredibly out of line.
Wall to wall counseling until my arms get tired
The jacked up flag comment was just obscene.
Someone needs a wake up call
I guess bad taste and lack of common decency are marks of tow full generations of children who are now adults.
They and their ‘feel good’ parents needs some lessons in what is and is not appropriatae behavior.
This silly bitch just put herself right down in that hole with Lindsey Stone and that chairforce chick tonguing the POW/MIA flag. Shunning might teach them a lesson.
Reading this post, I was prepared to defend the team. Then I read the article and saw the pics.
We used to use the term “we put the ‘fun’ in funeral in TOG, to the extent that our Fires team put it on tshirts. We also had old caskets for training. When they came out work got serious and play time was over. I won’t say that they were never used for other things (made for good pt with a profile inside) but if a flag came out we treated it as though it were a funeral. We’d never think of posting inappropriate comments online or in public.
Funerals place a lot of stress on TOG Soldiers, and my team never had a refold, which is a big deal. There is no way a good NCOIC is going to accept a “jacked up flag” to present the NOK.
In March of last year I buried my father in WI. It was 12 degrees and I had traveled from VA to attend the funeral and was wearing my blues. I was freezing my ass off and it did not appear that his burial detail was even slightly cold. I believe that this behavior is the exception and not the norm. But the punishment should be swift and harsh.
After seeing this article I am blessed that they did not send the piece of filth to provide honors…..
And they had to refold…….
When my father-in-law died last year, he rated a military funeral as he had served in the 82nd during WWII. In addition to a group from the local VFW to play taps and do the rifle salute, there were 3 very young, very professional soldiers from the Missouri National Guard that handled the flag. It was damn cold and raining that day and they didn’t flinch and didn’t bitch. All three were very humble when I thanked them and actually said they wished they could have thanked my father-in-law. Perhaps the Wisconsin kids could use a lesson in humility from their Southern neighbors..
Fucking Nasty Girl POGS….
Same as the comments. Horsing around an empty coffin I might have let slide with a little “Don’t ever fucking do that again” counseling. A flag draped coffin? Bust a rank and teach her a lesson but I don’t think I’d throw her and the others out.
Have I ever made a tastless joke before? Sure. But I sure never recorded it for posterity and then posted it for the world to see. What is it with people who record their less-than-finest moments, and then distribute them publicly like they’re proud of them?
I was on my Battalion’s Funeral detail before Oregon posted a permanent Funeral Detail assignment. I did funerals for seven of my brothers who fell in Iraq and I can’t even recall the number of veteran funerals I assisted with. There is nothing funny about this. It isn’t some kind of joke or some kind of extra detail that you complain about. It is funeral honors. The last bit of respect we pay to those who wear the uniform in the Earthly realm. All of these so-called soldiers should be charged to the fullest extent of the UCMJ.
Seeing those photos yesterday I WENT FULL TILT WEAPONS GRADE PISSED OFF! I posted messages all over them. As well as at the 11B Facebook Page. I also sent the photos and my thoughts in an email to General Dempsey. In one of the exchanges I read the comments of the little darling who took and posted the photos (Twitter name twaarr) NCO, one, LUIS JIMENEZ, who came to there defense, if that is possible, “as blowing off steam and meaning nothing”. I left Jimenez a nice message on her Facebook page, stating in short that as their NCO, she is responsible for their training AND behavior. And if that was the best she had done then maybe she should rethink her status as an NCO supervising troops and especially the Funeral Honor Guard. I told her that “gallows humor” may be okay in the civilian funeral business but NOT EVER in regards to a fallen serviceman or servicewoman. From the look of the photos of “twaarr” as well as the NCO, Jimenez and the group they are all the typical “POW/MIA sign licker types. No regards except for themselves. Millinials who have no sense of common decency, much less military honor and integrity. Honor and integrity for the Army, the uniform they wear, their country and especially for a fallen comrade. None of them have been deployed. But even still the recent funeral I attended had an Honor Guard made up of non deployed soldiers. They were so very respectful of their duty and by their conduct they considered it a privilege and honor to be there. Each one told me they were “proud and honored to be there and do what they were doing”. Top drawer troops all of them. I was RED HOT when I saw those photos. Having just recently attended the funeral of a young man I knew, killed in Afghanistan. I watched closely as the Honor Guard in steady 25 MPH winds, gusting to 35 never flinch. Never blink. They were in a world of their own and it was all about the respect… Read more »
I saw this last night, it pissed me off enough to break my no Facebook stance. These fuckers need to be put on the first bus out. They don’t deserve the uniform. The twat that said someone is getting a jacked up flag needs to burn in hell.
Fuck them, they have brought disgrace to themselves. To the twat, yep it’s cold big fucking deal. It’s cold in Afghanistan. It was cold in Korea, it was cold at the battle of the bulge. At it was cold at valley forge. So fuck you you useless twat
I am honored to say that every single funeral detail that I was a part of all the Soldiers acted like complete profesionals.
No suprise here.
Dishonor Guard.
I spent along time doing this is in ANC and other places.
Screw this bitch.
Drop the hammer.
I learned as far back as the late 80’s-early 90’s, while stationed in the Philippines, that the camera is *NOT* your friend, especially when you’re dicking around doing something incredibly stupid and incredibly offensive.
I believe Major Rickert (FMANG spokesperson) meant to say “could only confirm that there (is) WAS a Teresa Harrison in the Honor.
Thankfully I only had to pull this sad detail twice. It is ill advised action like this that detracts from the absolutely great job other details, such as our proud Arkansas Army National Guard, and the Little Rock AFB Honor Guard, perform. Or as the saying goes, one aw shit erases all of the atta-boys. In this case, I hope it only reflects on those involved.
I said F the NG and sent an email to the WI VA. Here is the response that I got:
Mr. Kottmer,
Thank you for your concern on this matter. It is our understanding that the Wisconsin Army National Guard has an investigation underway at this time. If you have any further questions regarding this matter you can contact the WI National Guard at 1-800-335-5147.
Gary Dierks
Gallows humor has its place, and the funeral Honor Guard ain’t it. These individuals have no excuse for not knowing better. You’d think that anybody who’s ever been around even one funeral would be better than this.
I’ve never seen anything but exemplary respectful conduct from Honor Guard details at the funerals of family and friends. Case in point: my uncle, a Vietnam Marine vet, died when I was 14. He was the kind of all-around good guy who was friends with everybody he ever met. I come from a VERY large and close-knit Irish family. Between family and friends it was standing room only in a very large church. It was also 104 degrees outside that day and the A/C was not keeping up very well. His Marine Honor Guard stood outside in their dress blues. It was Africa-hot, South Pacific-humid, and they were visibly dumping sweat. And they were 100% respectful and professional. They had to be absolutely miserable, but not a one of them let it show.
Sad, i spent time 8n the guard and never once did this hit happen. Also spent time active and no issues. But i am going ro say that if you wish ro jump ths shit of the guard then you better include all branches. Currently the AF has 3 Airmen in seriuos tdou le for disrespectful acts towards the POW symbol and other pics that arw unbecoming yet to be put out. The Army has been under investigation for commisary fraud,pay fraud and promotion fraud….the Marines have sexual harrassment…ths Navy….oh the Navy…..
So in short show some respect for the units in all branches and bash the units that are causing issues. If not then you are obviously the POG.When i was in thee Guard, not once was I sitting behind the wire…spent several long tours in actual combat….lots of CQB…EFPs….raids…on and on…..never fuckin open your POD mouth and bash the comabat units who habe died right along side active..you are making yourself a POG.
Because I am making an effort to keep my melt downs to a minimum for a while, I will keep my comments to myself about this.
And that’s all I’ve got to say about that.
Our Buddy, Aunty Brat, talks to some Gold Star families about this whole thing.
@22.
Who are you calling a POG?
Get a clue and learn to spell.
I spent my last tour as a Decedent Affairs Officer at a Naval Hospital – and briefed the escorts before they left with the deceased. If this had happened and I caught wind of it, there would have been a bulkhead counseling session from Hell, with the Marine/Sailor and his or her CPO or SNCO present. I took the job seriously and expected the escort(s) to do the same.
Green Thumb just thinks that the world revolves around AD and is scared of the outside world. He can’t make a post without trashing the NG and Reserves.
I used to do funeral honors and it is a hard job. There are a couple things here I am not comfortable with, but I am going to concentrate on the conduct of the Honors Team. I don’t necessarily agree with it but I understand it. Going to funerals over and over is rough. I know a lot of people who can’t stand hearing taps played. Imagine hearing that day in and day out. Like it or not you have to become a bit detached or it will grind on you. I still have individual funerals that grind on me, and I don’t remember the names of the soldiers I buried. Yeah, having gallows humor does numb the pain a bit. Knowing that no matter what you say or do you are going to go out and perform your duty, because the funeral isn’t about you it is about the family and the Veteran. I don’t think they should have taken the pictures, but there is more to that than this individual issue in and of itself. I think that some people were in a hurry to snap to judgement that rather than Hanlon’s razor. Everyone was ready to attribute a cruel joke than a stupid one. How hard is it to fold a cold wet flag perfectly? But it is easier to be outraged and angry because anger is an easier emotion than taking a moment to understand. Trust me anyone who has done funeral honors standard for folding a flag are way higher than anyone else’s.
But hey it is easier to be pissed.
@27.
I have not trashed anyone, yet.
And what part of ANC in my comment did you miss?
Time to check in.
@27.
Disrespect, incompetence and arrogance translate the same in any language or branch.
@27 Just Plain Jason Sorry to have to say this but…well thank the hell out of you for being the only other person besides this Honor Guard’s own NCO to come to their defense! Angry? You bet your ass. Is it rough duty, cold, hot, windy, raining? I am sure, though not as rough, hot, cold, windy, raining and miserable as the dead combat veteran had it when deployed, whom they are laying to rest. Gallows Humor? Leave that shit for the civilian morticians and funeral directors who do it several times a day (I also think they are crass as well if they partake of such.) Not though and I say again not…in a military Funeral Honor Guard. If you need relief, to lighten things up, there are myriad ways to do that without taking photos like those, making comments like those and then being a big enough ass hole to put them out there for the world to see. Thus giving all those who already hold the military in the lowest regard, yet another reason to think the worst of us and have a great laugh at yet again, the military in general. If they think it such rough duty? Ask to be transferred off the detail for whatever reason they choose or can come up with. I have seen that happen more than once. Folding a flag on a cold day? Don’t give a shit if it is so cold the flag will stand up by itself, you do your job and that comes, first and foremost with a proper, respectful attitude going into what your detail? NG or Reserves? Again, don’t give a damned if they are NG, Reserves or AD. The same respect, honor and integrity is required, nay…demanded, from all of them. To end Jason I will say to you, thank you for your service on funeral details. I am sure you performed your duties to the highest standards. I served as a member of an Honor Guard for 10 funerals. I didn’t like the detail but I had way more respect for the… Read more »
Aaaaaaaand that’s a 278th ACR patch on the left sleeve of the one at the top right. (TN National Guard) Our SGM was up in arms on Facebook asking us to ID the guy. I see some wall to wall councelling followed by “If you ever do something like that again, I’ll…”
The current group of servicemembers have things different in that they were A. Bought up in a time where the media, entertainment and society in general figure nothing is sacred and anything can be used as a prop for a laugh B. Acts of stupidity can be documented and put on the internet within seconds.
We all get it. It’s cold out. It’s not comfortable, You would rather be doing something else. Many other service members put up with that or much worse, while getting shot at.
They need to give a social media and the uniform code of military justice class as part of initial training.
I can see Bn NJP for every asshole in that photo, and a bad fit-rep for anyone who gets them.
BTDT, Nam as a helo gunner and crew chief. Return to CONUS to a reserve Base. Check in required a set of Dress Blues. The Sarge Sgt. Majors informed me as my Blues were ready,tailored inspected and pass his inspection. I was assigned to the Color Guard and Funeral Detail. All this good detail to go with my regular duities too. I cannot speak for all the services, but. I stood taller and my movements were sharper.Color guard, Blues off and at NCO club grabass and jokes,same for Funerals. Heads would roll otherwise. Joe
Looks like a serious leadership problem.
@34.
That, and a lack of disciple, composure, compassion and situational awareness.
But yet people want to point fingers when called on their low sets of standards and benchmarks.
@32 – Just an Old Dog hit it pretty well. The difference between having brain-farts and being one is the fact that one uses technology to show it off to everyone looking to extend a cheap thrill. Yeah, we’ve all done stupid shit, but for most of us, once the hang-over wore off, we didn’t talk about it anymore, let alone show the whole world, and we sure as hell disn’t disrepect those who had gone before us. And I don’t think that just the Guard and Reserves hold the only “Dumb-Ass” key either, they just happened to be the next ones to walk in front of the WTF cannon.
Update on the WIARNG specialist – http://www.armytimes.com/article/20140218/NEWS/302180009/Soldier-suspended-funeral-guard-photo-flap-investigation-launched
@37.
That picture is worth a 1000 words.
I love the lack of combat patches.
Tells the story….
Green Thumb, I was thinking the same thing.
I see shit like that, and then I see this, which is the more accurate depiction of honorable duty:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5UNWGgLoWs&feature=share
Christ, I think I had a rage stroke. I only served on a ship in the Persian Gulf. My utmost respect goes to those who served on the ground over there.
A friend of mine served in the Army and briefly talked about having to go, um, pick up the pieces… after an IED once.
If these buttnuggets had to discover for themselves that the phrase, “Going to pick up my friends” takes on a whole new meaning, then their attitude would be a whole lot more humble during a funeral detail.
Their punishment should include going to Arlington and apologizing for their fuckery to every tombstone.
Looks like that unit made the front page of MSN’s news today.
http://news.msn.com/us/online-photo-of-soldiers-casket-sparks-furor
These children in adult bodies had better grow the f!#$#$!k up real quickly, if they expect to get, keep, and advance in any kind of job. Anywhere.
I am soo pissed- I was all apoplectic and my SAP Button was going a mile a second. My poor daughters- I never have done that in their presence. My Wife was equally dismayed- she rolled her eyes saying girls like that give women in the service a bad name.
Daffy tart volunteered for that privilege. I led one funeral detail: and I was humbled beyond words. The family was soo grateful by our attendance. We all know someone who was KIA or died due to injuries or By God was allowed to die in peace at home after spending time in hell. We care for our own- we don’t let them be buried alone.
Id have whole damn team ruck in silence and do a 50 mile forced march in full kit with plate steel plates. Then like a penitent of old be told tales of those that came before and what honor and duty demands every 2.5 miles
@41
“Their punishment should include going to Arlington and apologizing for their fuckery to every tombstone.”
Your damn right.
And make them do it in a wheelchair.
And if they think that is hard, I have something else for them.
Everyone has the right to be stupid, but those troops have ABUSED THE PRIVILEGE, and now it’s time for them to pay the price! The internet is a great way for one to literally send proof of their stupidity worldwide at light speed, and we all know that the internet is forever, SO…. I say UCMJ action for all that are in that pic, first for the disrespect to the flag-draped coffin, then for the flag comment, then for the black eye they gave their unit and the NG. I have done Funeral Details myself, and I’d LOVE to wall-to-wall- counsel those little pukes about their insensitivity! Young cream puffs like them try and tell older Vets like me how we need to be “sensitive” and then they pull shit like this and expect to be let off easy? MY ASS! Put me in charge of them, I’d love to see just how quickly I could make those cream puffs run crying to their mommies and the IG!
To me, gallows humor is for the friends of the deceased as they celebrate their friend’s departure, before the funeral. If you weren’t “there”, STFU and respect the dead.
I have a better way to punish them. Split them up and transfer them to an AD unit, send the word ahead to their lead NCO that they misbehaved this badly, and that they should be shunned socially by everyone, and only spoken to when giving orders is needed. And NO happy hours for any of them. Period.
Ostracizing someone is extremely effective.