Images from a funeral posted to Instagram by a member of the Wisconsin Army National Guard went viral Monday leading to furious comments from users on social media.
A group of soldiers posing around a coffin covered with an American flag are portrayed in one of the photos, many of who were smiling and making humorous gestures.
The caption of the photo read: “We put the FUN in funeral – your fearless honor guard from various states.”
One of the soldiers pictured was recently trained to become a member of the Funeral Honor Guard unit, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
The Wisconsin National Guard announced an investigation into the photo via social media Tuesday afternoon.
Facebook users have also taken to the Wisconsin Army National Guard Recruit Sustainment Program Facebook page to express how disrespectful and offensive the behavior is to fallen soldiers and their feelings of disgust toward the photo.
According to a statement from the Wisconsin Department of Military Affairs, the photo was taken in North Little Rock, Ark. at the Professional Education Center and posted to an Instagram account belonging to Spc. Terry Harrison.
The statement said Harrison has been suspended from the funeral honors detail and measures have been taken to guarantee the safety of the soldier in response to the threats received through social media.
Update: According to a report from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, a second National Guard member, Sgt. Luis Jimenez, was removed from funeral honors duties Wednesday for defending the photo on social media.
[Photo by WXOW 19, LaCrosse, WI]