Rob Richards, who left the military in 2013 under a cloud of controversy after video circulated of him and members of his platoon urinating on dead Taliban terrorists in Afghanistan, had his cremated remains buried with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia this month.
NY Daily News “He served with honor … gave so much … and bled for our freedom,” a Navy chaplain said at the somber proceeding, as Richards’ mom, wife and grandfather, a veteran himself, looked on, the Washington Post reported. “Today we lay him to rest in a fitting place.”
Richards died last August of an accidental prescription drug overdose. He was 28 and survived three tours of duty in Afghanistan as a Marine sniper.
His wife, Raechel, found his body on the floor of their home in Camp Lejeune, N.C., after he struggled for months with opiate abuse, she told the Washington Post.
The couple planned to move to Orlando, Fla., where they would get a new start, away from the 2013 court martial that ended with Richards given a plea deal that reduced his rank to corporal and an honorable discharge from the military.
Despite his decorated career and dedication to his country, Richards’ time abroad was judged — and vilified — on the nearly 40 second video, released anonymously on YouTube in January 2012.
Richards and three comrades were filmed peeing on Taliban soldiers they had just shot dead. The killings, as well as the desecration of the bodies, were in retaliation for a Marine killed by the Taliban who had a limb severed and hung from a tree, according to former Sgt. Edward Deptola, who was Richards’s platoon sergeant.
Deptola was also court martialed in the incident and demoted one rank for his role.
“Someone said, ‘Piss on these guys?’, ” a Marine told the Washington Post while recalling what had happened years earlier in Afghanistan the night before the funeral. “And someone else was like, ‘Yeah, you know what, let’s piss on them.’ ”
“Because killing them wasn’t enough,” Deptola said. “That wasn’t enough justice.”
Most of the Marines involved in the incident have spoken out, saying they have no regrets about what they did that day.
Roberts, who didn’t publicly condone or condemn his actions, had shown symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder stemming from his tours but had “finally come to terms with” the fact that the video would follow him the rest of his life.
He felt backed into a corner,” his wife Raechel told the Washington Post. “He always said, ‘It’s all I’ll ever be known for.’ ”
She thought the couple had turned a corner and was prepared for a different life in Florida when tragedy struck. They’d briefly separated and he had gone to drug counseling for his pill addiction.
Her husband’s remains were buried in a canister bearing a favorite Ernest Hemingway quote: “There is no hunting like the hunting of man, and those who have hunted armed men long enough and liked it, never care for anything else thereafter.”
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sad still is that the drug overdose was due to bad meds from the VA that he could not process, and not that he took a bunch of drugs to get high. They just built up a toxic level in his system and the docs did jack to monitor his liver. How many more of our boys will the va kill?
How long till we have to piss on them here, because we’re finally having to fight them here? Or maybe it’s just my paranoia kicking in.
Bonni: That image of Arlington is something special; yo chose that?
There are THREE Jewish graves in the foreground!
There are many more, but I don’t know if there is another grouping like that, and with a clear picture.
If HE sees that it will burn his American hating stomach.
It was one of the photos I found with this story.
A damned shame! My heartfelt condolences to his family and comrades.
All in the name of “pc”. O’shitbag must be pleased…..
How demoralizing this must be to those heroes that protect our freedom.
God rest his soul. And if he was killed by our slimeball led government, may they boil in hell forever.
So it is ok fir a muslim to disrespect a fallen american by cutting his limbs off ands strunging him up like sausage but it is not ok for a marine to doa “No 1” on dead taliban?? Politically. correct assholes and humanitarians are full of shit and are more blind than a bat with no eyes and ears.
The US military is going to need bigger guns because if they aren’t allowed to piss on a few pislamic wankers then they should be allowed to turn them into a massive cloud of pink mists!
RIP digger, you and your service will never be forgotten.
BNI! This is not strictly related to islam, rather our traitor pig President. Apparently by executive order he is trying to get bullets for AK-15s banned. He is spitting on our laws and freedoms AGAIN that people like Rob died for! Damn him!
I don’t know if you post info like this
Yes, it is relevant. He will do as much damage as he possibly can in his remaining term. He should be in jail on trial for treason. But what the hell is our Congress for? They can stop this crap by impeaching the POS posing as CIC.
FYI: Anything re: Obama is relevant because he is a muslim.
God bless you and give you peace Rob.
What a loss. America needs him, and all men like him, more than ever. I wish he’d known that.
It’s an inexcusable atrocity that he was persecuted by his own Marine Corps, by a politically correct commandant under the Obama regime.
RIP Rob Richards, with Love and Respect from an Average American who values Valiant, Brave men like you, who slay the the evil monsters in this world. When they are dead, they can’t hurt anyone again. You did good Marine. Semper Fi.
P.S. Piss on Obama.
That was beautiful BNF. Rob would love that.
Get the muslim slime out of OUR white house!! I wish Boehner the bonehead and old Mitch McConnell were out of their positions and the old sewer rats that have been there over three terms were removed from the white house, senators and congress people! All the old career political leeches should all be removed after 3 terms for the good of the nation and every person elected born and American citizen!
Muzz maggots crucify, behead, hang and burn people alive. Some times they do more than one. Remember the images of the crucified infidels who were then beheaded and the heads left at the feet of the crucified? Gruesome. Inhumane.
However, common place in islam.
What these Marines did were not wrong. I find no problem with it and am disgusted with the military being so subservient to Islam. Our troops have their hands tied when on patrol, they are not allowed to have their weapons with them on bases and they have to be dhimmis to the local muzz who openly marry little girls, rape dancing boys and honor kill or disfigure women in front of them.
Worse is the way our soldiers have to be “oh so respectful” if izlam at prisons. Even wearing white gloves when handling the korHAM.
Meanwhile… when veterans come home they are ignored and are denied benefits and even medals they should get. After all America is to busy catering to islam filth within our borders.
This Marine did NOTHING WRONG. He was a true hero. Hey, he urinated on a murderous terrorist. Yet Bowie Bergdahl deserted and aided the enemy… and Bowie the Bitch of the imans gets back pay! His parents are honored guests at the White House and his daddy speaks at a press conference in arabic.
The White House continues to destroy our military and America.
Well said! Amazing isn’t it how so many people in America just don’t (won’t) get it about the White Mosque and it’s illegal impostor.
Listening to FOX news is a lesson in frustration–they’re all running around like hens with their heads chopped off, wondering why obama doesn’t seem to ‘understand’ the war against isis, and trying to reconcile his actions with his ‘Christian’ faith, when if they only realized he’s not, and never has been a Christian.
obama’s actions are, and have been since day one, entirely consistent with his sunni muslim faith.
it is sad that Bob Richards was treated badly by the Marines especially after what he saw and experienced there
Because of the Liberal lies and a president who hates this country, it’s citizens and its military, our military personel are being subjected to psychological “hell”, that is abandoning them and killing them.
This man is a hero and should have been treated with respect and honor.
God Bless Rob Richards, a fellow Marine, Proud American, and most of all a Human Being! It is a damn shame what’s happening to our Military, and Country. The Socialist Left Wing Nut Case in the White House, and his Liberal Clones are destroying everything myself, Rob Richards and every Proud American that has served this Great Country has fought and died for. Instead of keeping a Strong and Proud Military. They would rather use the money to give some more Muzies and illegals a free ride! I am a proud Italian American, and my Grandparents did not get a penny when they came here and they loved this Country. These Scum take our handouts and dont hide the fact that they hate this Country. What the F?ck is going on? I love this Country, but im ready to take a permanent vacation to Australia, at least Tony Abbott has some Balls! And Thanks BNI for also having the Balls to keep giving us the Truth about these Sick Bastards!
If I was his soldier buddy, I would piss on a muslim corpse too.
It’s considered a myth but the General “Black Jack” Pershing method of Muslim corpse desecration would also be appropriate. It’s not too late to get it right though!
“General Pershing declared that in order to help bring the Muslim Moros to heel, he buried those killed fighting against him with pork or dead pigs. Bullets drenched in pig blood and fat, and used in a mass execution of terrorists, who were then buried in a large grave full of pig entrails. One Muslim is allowed to go in order to tell other fanatics what fate awaits them if they are captured or killed by the Americans. Afterwards there is no need to kill any more fanatics, because after Pershing’s actions, there were no terrorist attacks for half a century. Being killed and buried in the midst of pig remains, it is said, would keep devout Muslims from reaching Paradise.”
I would say I’m surprised this hasn’t happened at least once or twice in either Iraq or Afghanistan during the wars but people in the military today know how the PC leadership will always roll. Today a service member would probably get life in Leavenworth for this under BHO. And then we’d probably hand over a few billion in reparations.
I’m sure liberals are running around, wetting their little pink panties in multicultural glee.
obama the drug dealer … veterans are not treated with healing care under obamas watch they are handed a mixed concoction of mind altering drugs to the point of addiction… This Marine was cheated out of the life and world he fought to protect .. he did not need a bottle full of drugs he only wanted peace and quiet love and understanding … how say you you may ask … I seen this place his mind was in when he came back … will say no more .. Rest in Gods care Marine
RIP Corporal Richards. Thank you for your service.
Semper Fi.
Rest in Peace, Our Hero.
Thousands tortured, raped,murdered, beheaded and burned alive and the world yawns, the United States sends john kerry and susane rice to lie to the masses, a few US Marines piss on garbage and our government goes ballistic? ???? Bunch of low life Hypocrites . Semper Fi Marine. …
Extremely tragic. I’m grieved over his despicable treatment and death.
Muslims must be laughing at the weak, Islam appeasing American government that persecutes U.S. military for urinating on DEAD muslim terrorists whilst Muslims perpetrate unspeakable horrors and satanic atrocities on innocents.
Dear Rob, Thank you for your courageous service. You are a HERO, a real man, a man of honor and a warrior. You fought against terrible evil not just for America but for the entire non-muslim world. Rob, Rest in eternal peace with the angels.
It was an American thing to do–what he did. I’m proud of him. Always will be. It was an inspiring moment.The enemy had cut off their fellow soldier’s leg and hung his body from a tree–probably while the guy was still alive. Those Marines were right–death wasn’t quite enough.
Very sad that this good American fighter didn’t realize that while the event WOULD follow him for life, that was NOT a bad thing. Not at all. It was a heroic thing because it spoke truth to insanity. Like I said, I’m proud of him. But I think the handling of the whole thing was meant to deconstruct and demoralize our fighting force–to cause our soldiers to hesitate, to doubt themselves–like the incident about a accidentally throwing away a koran. So it looks like the Left under the puke at the WH won this time.
But while obama is busy causing personal grief for our soldiers over a non-incident, isn’t it amazing that he does not condemn or stop the beheadings, maimings, torturings, rapes, kidnappings, savagery, slavery going on? No. He’s fussing about a few Marines showing the world the truth about the jihadis–that their barbarism and sadism is trash. I appreciated the Marines for that at the time, and more so now that the ugly mask of Islam is everywhere.
I gotta wonder, though, if his death wasnt just another op designed to make people scared. Maybe not, but we’re getting quite a line up: SealTeam6, Benghazi, Chris Kyle, Joan Rivers… those Chicago love boys of obama. I have no idea, really, but either way, obama defends Islam and his own power, and his soros-directed agenda above everything else. And he hates America.
Bill, the first thing Mr BNI said was, “they killed him.”
Such a shame, and its no wonder these kids come back with mental illness they know they were fighting and dying for NOTHING….. all their lives they were raised with the idea that military are heroes because they help us stay free and then they come home and find out all the fighting and dying was for nothing…..
This rag head was more important to the US than he was he thought and was, why wouldn’t he want to die….BLESS HIS HEART… God have mercy on his soul….. what a shame our legislators are letting this happen….. God Help us all….
RIP Dearest Corporal Richards. Thank you for being such a brave, incredible soldier protecting your citizens. Australians salute you! You did nothing wrong mate, Nothing! You are a STAR *
He’s a hero who was destroyed by hate. May he rest in peace after fighting to defend our freedoms. Condolences to his wife and family. Thank goodness his sacrifices were recognized at his burial. Thanks to him and to the other Marines involved in the incident for protecting our freedoms.
They gave their all. We never learn how to welcome back the combattants who put their life on the line for this nation. We judge those who dealt with barbarism against standards that exist only in the society that they have protected. When will we ever learn that those who return need to heal rather than be whipped. Only politically correct criminal libertarians would lack that compassion.
so true
Such an incredibly sad, hopeless story. Our hearts should go out to Raechel. This is the stuff of life. (and yes. Life is a bitch, sometimes)
Rip corporal Richards Semper FI
Thank you for your service to this country
May you rest in peace, Rob. God bless you and your family.
Corporal Richards, for your three tours in the hell of the muslum hell holes of the middle east, we thank you Rob and we are thankful for you. Given who the heroes are we need to let them know that they are supported regardless of what the cowards and fools like odumbo, in this government say, who do not support our heroes. I will remember Corporal Richards as a hero. God bless Rob and his family.
What was his previous rank prior to demotion and discharge? Sergeant?
Either way, this truly is as EVIL a tale as any, and Obama plus the ENTIRE “Democrat” party plus ALL RINOs need to be held responsible for it!!!
What the hell was wrong with pis**ng on some dead SOB that was trying to
kill you ? The wimpy press and the scared, Lilly livered cowards in command who were afraid of offending ragheads are at fault for this man’s death and his problems leading to it.
If I had my way, all those dead taliban and isis, and el queda would be bathed in pig urine before being buried head down in more pig doo-doo.
If they find it offensive……………. they can be offended !
I’m sure the leftard progressives are celebrating.
RIP, Rob Richards.
This is very sad…….
This tragedy should give the muslim marxist motherf**ker illegally occupying the White House a laugh.
Rest in Peace, Corporal Richards. Semper Fi
You deserved better.
What is sad is how the military has kowtowed to isLAMe!