I have a question that is keeping me up tonight

[ribrepin]

I have a friend who's son was killed in Iraq. I heard a rumor today that he committed suicide while on duty in Iraq. The local paper said his death was ruled non-combat. He is buried at Arlington National cementary.

I am reluctant to believe this and really don't want to ask his mother about this. She seems very stressed and sad right now. Can someone be buried at Arlington if they have committed suicide while on duty in a war zone?

[Lasher]

1. Yes.

Any active duty member of the U.S. armed forces can be buried there.

[ribrepin]

2. Thanks Lasher

Not the answer I wanted to hear, but it was not something I wanted to ask his mother. She is still having a very hard time.

[Lasher]

3. Do a search on this soldier in Google.

You might find out what you want to know without having to discuss it with his mother.

[ribrepin]

4. I've already tried a google search and wasn't able to bring up anything about a suicide

except for somebody's blog. I don't consider that a good source. It was some girl who knew him in High School. Today I heard the rumor in person from a pretty good source.

I've known his mother for several years and we chat about her son, but the subject of how he died never comes up. I know she is in touch with two or three members of his platoon and has even gone to visit one of them.

[Mari333]

7. she will always have a hard time, i can assure you

it doesnt really get better.

[ribrepin]

8. He died over a year ago

His mother seems sadder today than a year ago. I guess the shock has worn off. I listen when she wants to talk about her boy. I was hoping to refute what I had taken to be a nasty rumor.

[Mari333]

9. been almost 3 yrs for me

just as bad as i was the day it happened. i miss the shock. it never gets better.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

5. I'd call him a casualty of war

whatever the circumstances of his death.

If Bush hadn't invaded Iraq, your friend's son would be alive.

Ignore the rumor, get some sleep.

:hi:

[ribrepin]

6. I was hoping to refute what I have taken to be a rumor

I have heard this rumor before, but I heard it from a pretty unimpeachable source yesterday.

Regardless of how he died, I am glad they were able to bury him @ Arlington. It seems to comfort the family that he was laid to rest at Arlington.

[roody]

10. Even if it looked like suicide, it could have been murder.

No consolation in that either.

[ribrepin]

11. No there's not much consolation in any of this

I had hoped to be able to refute this particular rumor.