The Silver Star Families of America has one mission: To remember, honor and assist the wounded, ill and dying of our armed forces from all wars.
The decision of the Associated Press to release a photograph of the last moments in the life of Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard, especially after his family objected, is contemptible.
In a special meeting of the Board of Directors they issued this statement:
“We join with Secretary Gates in condemning the release of this photograph and we extend our heart felt sympathy to the Bernard family.
We reject the explanation of the A.P. for publishing this photograph when they stated: “We believe that this image is a part of the history of this war.” While the A.P. is protected by the very Constitution that our men and women are dying for, they showed a total lack of respect and common decency.
We would recommend to the Secretary that the protocols for embedding be changed to prevent such outrages in the future.”
The mission of the Silver Star Families of America is to remember, honor and assist the wounded of our Armed Forces
