Soldiers clowning around empty casket sparks furor
MILWAUKEE (AP) — A photograph showing soldiers clowning around an empty, flag-draped casket has sparked a furor online, with people saying it's disrespectful of veterans and those killed in action.
The Wisconsin National Guard responded Tuesday by announcing it had suspended honor guard duties of the soldier who apparently posted the photograph on Instagram.
The photograph was taken at a guard training facility in Arkansas and shows about a dozen soldiers around the casket. Several hug playfully hug, one flashes a peace sign and another is pointing off in the distance.
The caption reads, "We put the FUN in funeral -- your fearless honor guard from various states."
The photograph was posted from an account belonging to Spc. Terry Harrison. That account has since been closed. Attempts to reach Harrison were unsuccessful.
