US History Name: Autumn Goldenberg Sophomore Team 2 Day/Block: D2B3 The Protesting of Military Funerals Grieving is a long and tumultuous process. Being harassed by people about your passed loved one doesn’t help. That’s exactly what happens at the protesting of military funerals. Signs and banners are created to “get a point across”, when in actuality, they are making the grieving process harder than it needs to be. Not just general signs, but signs that say things like, “Thank God For Dead Soldiers”, and “Pray For More Dead Soldiers”. What military funeral protests really seem to be are just blatant disregards for the emotions of other human beings. A military funeral is a funeral given to a soldier who died during active duty or the Selected Reserve (Hartley). These protests can happen near the funeral site, around or at the time of the burial. Socially accepted or not, based on our Constitution, people should be allowed to protest military funerals. …show more content…
In August of 2012, President Obama signed a bill into law regarding regulations on the protests. These new regulations require the protest of military funerals to be held 300 feet away from the procession, and can not be held within the two hours before or after the service and funeral (Wing). This bill was put into legislation after the Supreme Court’s decision on the Snyder v. Phelps case. Snyder v. Phelps 8 to 1 vote ruled military funeral protests to be constitutional, as long as they are addressing public issues (“Free Speech at Military Funerals”). These regulations greatly helped the numbers of hecklers at the funerals, but the aftershocks of all protests are still felt by the families. This being said, you can not stop these “peaceful” protests, as it is the protester’s utilizing their constitutional
Americans from all walks of life watch, tears clouding the eyes as a young Boy Scout lays a red, white and blue wreath at the foot of the tomb. The soldier stopped and announced that all in attendance were to stand in silence, with their hand laid across their hearts. All Veterans or current military personnel are encouraged to salute. I was fascinated by the young family beside me who were visiting from France. As they all placed their hands over their hearts, I realized that American soldiers don’t just fight for America, they fight for the world.
Tragic events occur not only in the United States, but also all over the world. From these tragic events communities, families, and the government decide to place memorials for people that were lost and as a thank you for people protecting the citizens of the country. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, The Wall, in Washington D.C. is one of these cases. However, what exactly was the purpose of this memorial? The purpose of putting up the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was not only to thank the veterans for their bravery, but to remind future generations about happened during the Vietnam War. Also, the memorial is important to help people and the veterans to accept the fact that the war actually
I saw that soldier’s faces were lit eerily in the dim light. The sculptures apparel seemed fitting due to the light rain that was falling at the memorial site. I noticed the wall glimmering as the raindrops slid down the glassy surface and fall into the wilting flowers while the images illuminated from the glare of rain and light. I felt this morbid and realistic presence of the soldiers and for a mere second felt the gloom and menace of the war they were in. I walked around the site to gather more information on what the memorial was dedicated to. I walked past the mural wall and as I did I paid particular attention to the various images of people and equipment on the wall. All of the facial expressions of the people on the wall gave the memorial a very real presence to it. I continued walking down the granite walk and I read it was the Korean War Veterans Memorial and immediately got the message the artists were trying to convey. It was very clear that they were showing the public that freedom is not free. The memorial symbolizes the soldiers that have fought for the freedom of others and it recognizes the importance of these actions and
Snyder v. Phelps (2010) was a United States Supreme Court case in which the Westboro Baptist Church had a protest during a late marine’s, Matthew Snyder, funeral. The church’s members are blunt in their actions and have very strong, prejudice opinions focusing on America. For example, they have absolutely no tolerance for the LGBTQ community, Jews and even Catholics; they also regularly hold protests in front of high schools and even military funerals. Matthew’s father, Albert Snyder, sued the leader of Westboro Baptist Church’s protests, Fred Phelps, on account that Phelps caused emotional and physical distress, invaded private property, and used, “fighting words,” which are considered unconstitutional. The question that arose from
Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 433 (2011), was a United States Supreme Court case in which the court held that speech on a public sidewalk about a public issue cannot be liable for tort or emotional distress, even if the speech is found to be offensive.
If something isn’t right, there is a way to fix it. Violence of course is never the answer therefore, non-violent protests were started. Non-Violent protesting had a slow start then it spread around the world when it hit media attention. Non-violent protest also had more effectiveness than violent protests. Non-Violent protests may have taken a while, but the results were successful.
... people have an absolute right to voice their opinions and protest as long as it is done without trampling upon the legal rights of others. However, when any one, or group, attempts to violate the legal rights of others the government not only has the duty but has the Constitutional responsibility to intervene
Welch, Michael Flag Burning: Moral Panic and the Criminalization of Protest (Social Problems and Social Issues).
"The soldier is the Army. No army is better than its soldiers. The Soldier is also a citizen. In fact, the highest obligation and privilege of citizenship is that of bearing arms for one’s country” (-General George S. Patton Jr). Here within our borders we are the lucky ones, we have been blessed with the pleasure of so many brave men and women; to volunteer in the world's greatest military; and put their lives on the line for something that they believe is a moral obligation. But, think of some other countries, that have conscription (the practice of ordering people by law to serve in the armed forces) laws. We as a nation have some laws on conscription, and if you are male and above the age of 18 you have already signed the slip of paper stating that in the time of war; if our great nation re-instated the draft then there is a great chance you will be serving on the frontline of the next Great War. This brings me to my first topic of this page, is it ethical to have a draft? My second topic that I will discuss will be on if it is morally acceptable to "draft dodge". What I mean on the second topic is if you have a right; that morally allows you to not go fight in the war.
The U.S. military is a strong force and body that protects and serves the American people. Many people support the military and some even disagree with it. What people forget is that without a military the U.S. would be totally over run by foreign countries claiming ground. The military also helps with the nation’s economy boosting the balance of money in the works. Families have trouble with members who serve since there is always chance that they never return but it is because of their service that we are still a free country. Even though the military causes pain to families when a loved one is lost, the U.S. needs a military because with a military the economy increases and that without a military we would be invaded by a dictator or foreign
Originating on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month, 1918, the cessation of fighting at the end of World War I would come to be known as Veterans Day. This hallowed day, was thought to be the end to wars, and was reflected upon by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 as representative of the solemn pride to honor those who died in service of their country. (VA.gov)
The United States of America possess a major complication, which is the high amount of suicides in the military. Most people are unaware of the risks from being in the military until it is too late to assist them. Serving in the military can cause PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), which then leads to complications with family situations, financial issues, and depression. Without proper therapy, many soldiers are at high risk of committing suicide. According to researchers, suicide is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. military, with rates ranging between 9 to 15 deaths per 100,000 service members (Bryan, et al. 1). Typically, Caucasian male service members are more at risk of suicides than any females (****). This affects multiple civilians that have family or friends who are serving in the military. Furthermore, this matter is important because not only are they civilians who commit suicides, but they are the leaders who stepped up to protect and defend our country. America needs to aid its troops for the sake of the nation’s defense. In order to reduce the amount of suicides during and after being deployed from the military, the military must require soldiers to know of ways to help themselves and others in need of assistance. A few ways to aid soldiers are suicide hotlines, counseling
In today’s time frame the term disrespect can be defined by many different things. The dictionary defines disrespect as the lack of respect or courtesy. In the military disrespect can be show as not only talking back, but hand gestures, body language, the emphasis of your voice when responding to a command, or even not acknowledging one command. Out of all the possible signs of disrespect I think personally that talking back, body language and the emphasis of your voice are the major ones that can get you in trouble. Even not going to the authorize position of parade rest is a sign of disrespect, because as Non Commissioned Officer if you out rank the subordinate the person who is receiving information, criticism, or a command should be at
To veterans throughout American history, the Stars and Stripes have served as a symbol of their service, and as a continuing testimony that the service was worthwhile. During a military funeral, the flag draping the casket embraces the service man or woman who devoted their life.
This paper will examine the first amendment’s right to free speech based on three different Supreme Court cases and how there are varying examples of free speech. In the case of Snyder v. Phelps, Snyder sued Phelps, the Westboro Baptist Church, for intentional infliction of emotional distress, invasion of privacy by intrusion upon seclusion, and conspiracy because the church set-up protest outside of his military son’s funeral service (Chen et al., 2010). Another side of free speech involves a case which allow schools to restrict speech that is promoting illegal drug use. To examine this view this paper will look at the case of Morse v. Frederick. Lastly, this paper will look into the case of Texas v. Johnson. At the end of a protesting march Johnson burned an American flag. The research for this paper will allow the reader to examine some of the different ways that free speech can be expressed, to what extent it may or may not be expressed and possibly where free speech may or may not be prohibited.