[Ken Harbart]

More G.I. wives get hoax casualty calls
From the National Desk
Published 4/10/2003 10:18 PM


CAMP PENDLETON, Calif., April 10 (UPI) -- Wives of Camp Pendleton Marines involved in the war in Iraq have been receiving crank calls from individuals claiming to work for the Red Cross who regretfully, and falsely, inform them that their spouses had been killed in action.

In a statement, Camp Pendleton reminded military families that genuine casualty notifications are not made by telephone or by the Red Cross.

"Individuals falsely identifying themselves as Red Cross representatives have made prank calls to Camp Pendleton spouses claiming that their loved ones overseas have been killed," the Marine Corps said in a brief statement. "The Marine Corps does not utilize the Red Cross for casualty notification. Marine Corps and Navy representatives conduct all casualty notifications in person for Camp Pendleton."

Camp Pendleton is the home base of the 1st Marine Division, which battled its way into Baghdad and continues to engage Iraqi resisters.

"I honestly can't even fathom someone with that mentality," a Marine wife named "Julia" told The San Diego Union-Tribune Thursday. "I can't even go there in my mind."

"I would assume that a young spouse could believe that kind of call and her world could be shattered," she added.

The Red Cross said last week that families of service members in Michigan, Delaware and Alabama had reported receiving similar calls following the outbreak of the war.


Copyright © 2001-2003 United Press International

 

[Guest]

it just goes to show that there are all kinds of idiots in this world

 

[Guest]

Oh my gosh, those poor families. As if they don't have enough to worry about. It is hard for me to even imagine someone sinking that low. How aweful.

 

[Guest]

That is sick. That's really all that can be said about that. Who could actually hear someone break down on the other end of the phone and be able to live with themselves?

 

[Guest]

I just can't believe some one can be that low,,,!
A new low has just been reached,,,

 

[Guest]

I agree, that is a totally sick thing to do. I can't believe anyone would be that low.

I didn't see anything in that article that linked it to anti-war protestors/people/whatever people call it(not making claims of who it was, only that the title suggested anti-war people were the culprits). Whether they are pro war or anti war, that kind of behavior is downright SICK.

People like that should be strung up by their genitals and dipped into a vat of acid an inch at a time.

Disgusting...

 

[Guest]

I agree

Rob hit it on the head.

This is a new low and the people should be punished. However I see nothing that ties this to anti war protestors. Or scam artists or any other group. Just a bunch of sick people