Posted on 08/17/2005 6:54:02 PM PDT by glocker23
The mother of a Lompoc soldier killed in Iraq wants her son's name removed from what she believes are anti-war memorials on a Santa Barbara beach 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, and the others were killed in a plane crash on Memorial Day during a training mission northwest of Baghdad.
Almost every weekend since Veterans 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.
While Veterans for Peace will not remove Argel's cross, it has decided to give Bastian the tag on the cross with his name on it, but only if she decides to visit the memorial, said Lane Anderson, a Veterans for Peace volunteer.
"We looking forward to greeting her, and if she would like the name tag we would give her the tag, no questions asked," Anderson said.
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."
Still, Anderson said, the memorial "will persist as long as American military personnel are dying in Iraq."
"If the American public are aware of the true cost of the Iraq War, they would insist the troops be brought home," Anderson said.
Cindy Sheehan, of Vacaville,
has attracted international attention for her vigil outside Bush's ranch. Sheehan's 24-year-old son, Casey, was killed in Iraq in April 2004.
Anderson accompanied Sheehan to Crawford and last spoke with her 10 days ago.
Anderson said Sheehan is a member of Veterans for Peace and had been visiting the Santa Barbara memorial.
Bastian said she thinks Sheehan's protest is inappropriate in a time of war.
Derek's life was a true testament to the American Serviceman. He graduated from the Air Force Academy and entered into the elite ranks of Air Force Special Forces. He spent much of the last two years in Afghanistan and Iraq, carrying out those missions that we never hear about in the news. He ultimately gave his life for his devotion to his country, for his dedication to protecting you and me.
This story reflects the emotions of what I believe is the vast majority of family members who have lost a loved one in the military. They despise those who would use their loved one's sacrifice to push their political agenda that is usually squarely at odds with the deceased believes.
As a proud freeper, my political leanings should be obvious. And in the next few years I'll complete my training and take to the field as a combat surgeon. With that comes risk, risk that I freely take to have a chance to help keep men like Derek Argel alive in their hour of need. And if answering our Nation's call should cost me my life, then so be it, but I would never want my actions to be desecrated by the likes of Michael Moore and the anti-military left.
Some people will never understand men like Derek Argel. They don't understand a life based on honor, integrity and truth. They don't understand how they can stand up and give their life so that we and others may live in freedom. But their lack of understanding is no excuse for their dishonoring of our heroes sacrifices and we must continue to make that known
how DARE THEY??
Do they put the names of Jewish soldiers on crosses, too? That sounds like a double pisser.
I would encourage all of you to go to a memorial website that has been set up for Derek...
http://rileyd.chs.lusd.org/Derek's%20Page/Derek%20Argel%20Information%20Page.htm
This website will make you laugh and mostly cry, but it will tell you about an amazing warrior. Derek left behind a wonderful wife, Wendy, who I have known since high school, and an adorable son Logan.
Take the time to look at this site and honor his memory. It's got great pics of Derek and his family and the memorial services in FL, CA and at Arlington.
Let us never forget...
Perhaps every Gold Star parent who disagrees with the anti-war people should go to Santa Barbara and ask for their loved ones' tags.
You know for a FACT the the sh*theads in the MSM will not report this.....
Beautify America....KICK the Snot out of a Reporter.
Over here, I think you have your first client.
Of course, I fear for his safety as any parent would. But I couldn't be more proud of him.
May God bless him, and your son should forever be proud of his affiliation with the Marines
What a hero. A little off topic, but Trace Atkins new song about Arlington is how these hero's should be remembered.
O M G! Unbelievable....
Nervy, huh? To demand that they visit the memorial? CS won't let HER son's name be used, but she is happy to use and abuse others.
Bunch of scum should be deported!
In all honesty this is a bigger and better story than Cindy MeMeMe Shehan.
Both cases of taking an honest man's name to accomplish others' goals in his absence.
A disgrace - the Left has no shame.
I wish more parents would demand that the anti-America crowd stop desecrating the memory of these heroes. These anti-war "memorials" are a disgrace and they trash the honor of these great warriors who fell in battle. There should be a law against maggots using the names of these soldiers just so they can make an anti-American political statement.
But their lack of understanding is no excuse for their dishonoring of our heroes sacrifices and we must continue to make that known
So very very well said. Sums it up perfectly. Thank you for your post
AMEN. GOD BLESS HER. THATS THE SPIRIT WE NEED. ATTACK THE LEFT, GIVE EM THEIR OWN MEDICINE.
UUUUUUURRRRRRRAHHHH SEMPER FI. OUTSTANDING
Can they use her son's image without permission? Can a person copyright an image? They should allow mother's or closest surviving relative to copyright their son's/daughter's pictures under such circumstances.
Ping!
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