How do you feel about kids playing on top of Memorials?

HollyDays · ‎12-14-2014

A photographer named Matthew Munson took several photos during a recent visit to Washington, D.C., and one in particular is stirring up conversation about American history, parenting, and respect.

Munson shared his photos to Facebook and there's some standard DC fare—that obelisk called the Washington Monument, some military memorials.

But one of Munson's memorial photos speaks volumes without making a sound.

It's an image of the Vietnam Women's Memorial, which serves to honor the women who served during the U.S. war with Vietnam, from 1955 to 1975. Atop this statue is a young girl using it like playground equipment. On the ground, another young girl appears to be climbing up. All this as a military veteran in a wheelchair, presumably escorted by family members, goes by.

kids playing on vietnam statue © MatthewM.Art kids playing on vietnam statue The man pushing the veteran's wheelchair has a look of palpable disgust. The veteran himself has an unplaceable, one-of-a-kind look that hardly suggests pleasant thoughts. And Munson's Internet audience, chiming in with their comments on this particular photo, are similarly disappointed.

"Obviously, these kids have no veterans in their family, and their parents have absolutely NO IDEA what it means to sacrifice ALL for your country! Despicable on the parent's behalf."

"Holy hel! Maybe afterwards the parents could take their kids on a nice tomato throwing spree at a cathedral. Please understand, I'm not blaming the kids."

"There is no respect taught to children anymore? That is the shame on the parents."

Looks like Munson has captured the sort of singular, indelible image that any photographer would envy.

thisbe · ‎05-04-2010

My first thought was that some of the women who served in the Viet Nam war were mothers and that it probably would warm their hearts to have children playing there.

lulu2 · ‎03-09-2010

NM

Puzzle Piece · ‎06-29-2010

As children, we knew better than to do something like that. There were other things to play with and around.

Never Forget the Native American Indian Holocaust

traveler · ‎03-09-2010

I'm a veteran and a mother and that photo doesn't warm my heart.

bikerbabe · ‎03-09-2010

No heart warming here. It's disrespectful.

Suziepeach · ‎03-10-2010

It's disrespectful.

Go VOLS
Rocky Top you'll always be home sweet home to me.. Good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee... Rocky Top Tennessee

lovescats · ‎03-10-2010

I wouldn't post a picture of a regular person here on qvc forums. Other places have the picture up with the face blurred.

Shaunac · ‎09-22-2010

The same way I feel about people (adults or children) walking across cemetery plot markers. Disrespectful.

I was taught from a very early age to walk between the markers, not on them or across the part of the grass where one was laid to rest. I see people doing this all the time and it makes me cringe (and crazy).

HollyDays · ‎12-14-2014

On 3/25/2015 thisbe said:
My first thought was that some of the women who served in the Viet Nam war were mothers and that it probably would warm their hearts to have children playing there.

Interesting thought but I don't agree.