- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
- Messages
- 51,718
- Reaction score
- 35,498
- Location
- Washington, DC
- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Conservative
Lt. gov. crashed Marine's funeral, kin say
Saturday, July 23, 2005
By Tom Barnes, Post-Gazette Harrisburg Bureau
The family of a Marine who was killed in Iraq is furious with Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll for showing up uninvited at his funeral this week, handing out her business card and then saying "our government" is against the war.
Catherine Baker Knoll
Rhonda Goodrich of Indiana, Pa., said yesterday that a funeral was held Tuesday at a church in Carnegie for her brother-in-law, Staff Sgt. Joseph Goodrich, 32.
She said he "died bravely and courageously in Iraq on July 10, serving his country."
In a phone interview, Goodrich said the funeral service was packed with people "who wanted to tell his family how Joe had impacted their lives."
Then, suddenly, "one uninvited guest made an appearance, Catherine Baker Knoll."
She sat down next to a Goodrich family member and, during the distribution of communion, said, "Who are you?" Then she handed the family member one of her business cards, which Goodrich said she still has.
"Knoll felt this was an appropriate time to campaign and impose her will on us," Goodrich said. "I am amazed and disgusted Knoll finds a Marine funeral a prime place to campaign."
Goodrich said she is positive that Knoll was not invited to the funeral, which was jammed with Marines in dress uniform and police officers, because the fallen Marine had been a policeman in McKeesport and Indiana County.
"Our family deserves an apology," Rhonda Goodrich said. "Here you have a soldier who was killed -- dying for his country -- in a church full of grieving family members and she shows up uninvited. It made a mockery of Joey's death."
What really upset the family, Goodrich said, is that Knoll said, 'I want you to know our government is against this war,' " Goodrich said.
She said she is going to seek an answer from Gov. Ed Rendell's administration if it opposes the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Knoll was traveling yesterday, away from the Capitol, and couldn't be reached. But an aide said she "extends condolences to all families who have lost loved ones" serving in the military.
Without having talked to her, the aide, who asked not to be named, said, "The family members of fallen soldiers are in our hearts and prayers. Our prayers go out to their loved ones in their hour of grief."
Asked to comment on Goodrich's complaints about Knoll's conduct at the funeral, the aide said that "would be inappropriate."
cnredd said:Usually, I'd throw out some snide remark about her and take a well deserved cheap shot...I'm not going to waste my brain...She doesn't deserve it. Here's my official position...
That's f'in sad.
So, it seems they now see the folly of it?Cnn.com said:Rendell, during an appearance in Pittsburgh on Sunday, said written apologies will be sent to the Goodrich family, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reported. Rendell said he hadn't spoken to Knoll about what happened.
ShamMol said:Very good point gordontravels. This was very slanted and may have been told in an exaggerated viewpoint due to their grief. I too would like to see a follow-up article to see her response because I want to know what the hell she was thinking showing up and campaigning. IF she had shown up to show her respects, fine, but seriously...campaign? That is low.
gordontravels said:Please post any follow up you may find on this. I would like to know where it goes. I would also be interested in her explanation and response. :duel
I posted that eight minutes before you, jeez. :2wave:Stinger said:POSTED: 11:44 am EDT July 25, 2005
UPDATED: 4:34 pm EDT July 25, 2005
PITTSBURGH -- After being criticized for attending a Marine's funeral, Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll sent a public, written apology to the man's widow on Monday.
cnredd said:She sat down next to a Goodrich family member and, during the distribution of communion, said, "Who are you?" Then she handed the family member one of her business cards, which Goodrich said she still has.
"Knoll felt this was an appropriate time to campaign and impose her will on us," Goodrich said. "I am amazed and disgusted Knoll finds a Marine funeral a prime place to campaign."
Goodrich said she is positive that Knoll was not invited to the funeral, which was jammed with Marines in dress uniform and police officers, because the fallen Marine had been a policeman in McKeesport and Indiana County.
"Our family deserves an apology," Rhonda Goodrich said. "Here you have a soldier who was killed -- dying for his country -- in a church full of grieving family members and she shows up uninvited. It made a mockery of Joey's death."
What really upset the family, Goodrich said, is that Knoll said, 'I want you to know our government is against this war,' " Goodrich said.
In reference to the bold statements above, I don't CARE what her response will be...Any twisting and spin is BS..."I want you to know our government is against this war" is a political statement at an f'in funeral.
She will, no doubt, say it was a "misunderstanding"...But a Lt. Gov. should never put themselves into a situation where a "minunderstanding" could take place.
gordontravels said:Campaigning or paying respects. It is still one article and I know how the media or someone with an agenda works. Maybe she had an agenda. Maybe she is the victim of exageration. Maybe she is a fool. I think we should have more information that's all. If you believe everything the media says you are the fool. I don't want to be a bigger one than I already am. :duel
Pacridge said:I think I pretty much agree with you here. I would still like to hear her side of it. Though I can't for the life of me think of anything she or any one else could say that would make me not think ill of her at this point.
Unless of course she didn't actual say what they claim she said... But honestly wouldn't she and the Governor have came out right away and said that? Just thinking out loud.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?