Associated Press published some of his photos which were sensitive enough. The photo shows Lance Cpl. Joshua M. Bernard bleeding after being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade in a Taliban ambush Aug. 14.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard patrols on point through the bazaar in the village of Dahaneh in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Less than an hour later Bernard's squad was ambushed by Taliban fighters waiting in a pomegranate grove. Bernard was hit with a rocket propelled grenade and later died of his wounds.
Now the Associated Press is embroiled in controversy over their decision to publish the photos of Bernard's last moments of life. Bernard's father after seeing the image of his mortally wounded son said he opposed its publication, saying it was disrespectful to his son's memory.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote an impassioned plea to the AP asking them to respect the family's wishes saying:
Those photos not only keep open the wounds of war for the Bernard family, but it also increases the fear for the families of those who are still facing the reality of sudden death every day.
Lance Cpl. Joshua Bernard patrols on point through the bazaar in the village of Dahaneh in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan. Less than an hour later Bernard's squad was ambushed by Taliban fighters waiting in a pomegranate grove. Bernard was hit with a rocket propelled grenade and later died of his wounds.
Now the Associated Press is embroiled in controversy over their decision to publish the photos of Bernard's last moments of life. Bernard's father after seeing the image of his mortally wounded son said he opposed its publication, saying it was disrespectful to his son's memory.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates wrote an impassioned plea to the AP asking them to respect the family's wishes saying:
I cannot imagine the pain and suffering Lance Corporal Bernard's death has caused his family. Why your organization would purposefully defy the family's wishes knowing full well that it will lead to yet more anguish is beyond me. Your lack of compassion and common sense in choosing to put this image of their maimed and stricken child on the front page of multiple American newspapers is appalling. The issue here is not law, policy or constitutional right - but judgment and common decency."American Legion National Commander Clarence E. Hill, a retired Navy captain said:
The lack of compassion and common decency shown by the Associated Press in releasing this photograph is stunning. Lance Corporal Joshua Bernard is a hero who gave his life for his country. His family is understandably offended. I have asked the American Legion state commander in Maine to reach out to his family. Indeed everybody in The American Legion stands with his family.”
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