There is a difference between showing a soldier with a weapon in combat outside on patrol, and posing with a weapon in a tent, especially since one of the marines had no shirt. No, not appropriate for a school bulletin board – sorry. I’m wondering if all marines had been fully clothed would the photo have had the same impact? I saw the bare chest before I saw the gun. This is not a typical picture of a Marine at work in a war zone.

I’ve received many photos and letters from the squad our school adopted, and in the letter accompanying these photos the soldier has always asked I screen them first to make sure they were appropriate to show my students. I’ve shown all correspondences during a lesson and answered questions about the photo or letter as best I could. I’ve tried to give a little background information before posting anything to the board

When this photo was taken, I don’t think it was ever intended for a school bulletin board, but that’s just a guess on my part, the sister of the marine simply made a bad choice in photos. I’m sure there are numerous others she could have chosen to honor her brother and those he serves with.

Update – So it was the shirt(or lack of I should say) after all – Free Republic

Via – Malkin and Marine corps mom