RIP Marine Cpl. Robert Richards

[dbackjon]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/chec ... ound-dead/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Marine Cpl. Robert Richards, a medically retired combat veteran who was badly wounded in Afghanistan and later appeared in a controversial video urinating on dead Taliban insurgents, was found dead Wednesday night in his home in North Carolina. He was 28.

The death was confirmed Thursday by Guy Womack, a lawyer who represented Richards in his long legal battle with the Marine Corps after the video was published anonymously on YouTube in January 2012 and erupted into an international scandal. Womack said the death does not appear to have been a suicide, and the cause will not be known until an autopsy and toxicology tests are completed. His funeral will likely be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Womack said. The news was first reported by Marine Corps Times.

Richards’s life stands as an example of both the immense personal sacrifice and controversial nature of the Afghanistan war. He deployed there three times between 2008 and 2011, and was nearly killed by an improvised explosive device while on a foot patrol on March 19, 2010, in the district of Marjah in Helmand province. He sustained shrapnel wounds to his legs, arms, groin and throat, the latter of which required at least six surgeries to fix.

“Rob was a tenacious warrior who endured three combat deployments, losing brothers in all, and nearly giving his own life on one,” said former Capt. James Clement, who deployed with him in 2011 and also was disciplined as a result of the video’s release. “Despite grievous physical and emotional wounds, Rob never fled, and never surrendered.”

[andy7171]

Not playing a role here: I can't imagine what happens in a war zone in heavy combat. And thank god for that. But you have to look at the enemy as not human to survive. God knows I tried to seriously injure MFers on the field. Especially in high school lacrosse. Regardless. War HAS to effect you mentally. And seeing his pissing video can't help reconciling for those events looking back.
God bless our troops and those fighting against us.

[JohnStOnge]

I never saw the video but I have no problem with him pissing on dead Taliban insurgents. It'd be even better, though, if he'd pissed on a copy of the Koran. Show as much disrespect for Islam and those who are willing to kill other people for it as possible as far as I'm concerned. It's what it and they deserve.

[houndawg]

I never saw the video but I have no problem with him pissing on dead Taliban insurgents. It'd be even better, though, if he'd pissed on a copy of the Koran. Show as much disrespect for Islam and those who are willing to kill other people for it as possible as far as I'm concerned. It's what it and they deserve.

Ever the hate filled crusader...

[DSUrocks07]

It'd be even better, though, if he'd pissed on a copy of the Koran. Show as much disrespect for Islam and those who are willing to kill other people for it as possible as far as I'm concerned. It's what it and they deserve.

And how many jimmies would be rustled if it were the Holy Bible?

[mainejeff]

I never saw the video but I have no problem with him pissing on dead Taliban insurgents. It'd be even better, though, if he'd pissed on a copy of the Koran.

Amen!!!

In fact......I say piss on every religious book out there.

[Ivytalk]

I agree that we should honor the memory of Corporal Richards by doing more to assist the mental and physical rehabilitation of our injured troops when they return home. Our firm donated to the Wounded Warrior project last year.

[CAA Flagship]

I never saw the video but I have no problem with him pissing on dead Taliban insurgents. It'd be even better, though, if he'd pissed on a copy of the Koran.

Amen!!!

In fact......I say piss on every religious book out there.

Wait. I thought you were on the side that is against "burning" books. But it is OK to piss on them?

[Pwns]

Waiting for Spanos' youtube video before I make up my mind.

[Ibanez]

I agree that we should honor the memory of Corporal Richards by doing more to assist the mental and physical rehabilitation of our injured troops when they return home. Our firm donated to the Wounded Warrior project last year.

This. I'm sure we all know someone that is deeply troubled by war. I know I have several friends that are a wreck. One buddy was sent back to Iraq as a contractor, and never made it off the plane. He was an Army Ranger and just couldn't cope with it like he thought. Our society has to seriously do away with this notion that Mental Illness needs to be swept under the rug or avoided. It needs to be discussed and dealt with. We owe it to all those men and women that have suffered and died to take care of the ones that have lived (and are trying to survive.)


And Wounded Warrior is a good one. I help organize a bi-annual golf tourney. This year, for the first time in 3 years, the Golf Course donated the course, carts, drinks, etc.... It really allowed us to give so much more than usual.

[Grizalltheway]

Amen!!!

In fact......I say piss on every religious book out there.

Wait. I thought you were on the side that is against "burning" books. But it is OK to piss on them?

You can still read it after it's been pissed on.

[Ibanez]

Wait. I thought you were on the side that is against "burning" books. But it is OK to piss on them?

You can still read it after it's been pissed on.

Yeah but, yellow journalism isn't trustworthy.

[89Hen]

a controversial video urinating on dead Taliban insurgents

I don't recall this one.

[Ibanez]

a controversial video urinating on dead Taliban insurgents

I don't recall this one.

I vaguely recall the video.

[YoUDeeMan]

Remind me again, why are we still in Afghanistan?

And why did we just send troops back into Iraq?

Obama...CHANGE.