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Tuesday, April 28, 2009

A Joke I Made Up!

***** WARNING!!! *****

This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

What an amazing time we live in!

Did you ever dream you would live to see the day when Hell freezes over and pigs fly?

Well, I don't know if Hell ever actually froze over, but,

SWINE FLU !!!

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Sunday, April 26, 2009

Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland

From Left to Right: John Robert Mallernee, Mike Henderson, Tommy Porter

Click on the pictures for a larger view.

***** WARNING!!! *****

This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

On Saturday 25 April 2009, I attended the annual Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering of Southern Maryland.

This festival is ALWAYS held on the last Saturday in April, regardless of weather, and it is ALWAYS held at Jefferson Patterson State Park and Museum, on the banks of the Patuxent River, in Calvert County, between Prince Frederick and Saint Leonard.

I arrived very early, and thanks to Mike Henderson's generosity, I had a free pass, so I didn't have to pay any admission fee.

Clan Henderson's alloted area was situated between Clan MacDougall and Clan Johnston, which was nice, because Clan Johnston was also our neighbor at last year's Anne Arundel Scottish Festival.

Since Mike Henderson was our convener, and he hadn't arrived, I helped Clan Johnston and Clan MacDougall set up their tents.

At the Anne Arundel Scottish Festival, Clan Johnston's convener and I had enjoyed singing,THUNDER ROAD, together, and this time, as we were working together, I told him about the two Confederate generals named Johnston, which he hadn't known about.

Albert Sidney Johnston was killed in the Battle of Shiloh, but Joseph E. Johnston surrendered in North Carolina more than two weeks after Robert E. Lee surrendered, and my ancestor, Corporal Jonathan Trueblood, who served in the North Carolina Seventh Regiment, Confederate Senior Reserves, was present at that surrender, after having fought at the Battle of Bentonville.

Mike Henderson then showed up, and we went to work setting everything up.

He was a lifesaver, for he brought a great huge ice chest full of cold bottled water and cokes, which all of us were going to need plenty of.

Tommy Porter, who lives in North Carolina, drove in from Alexandria, where he was visiting relatives.

Clan Henderson's tent was, as were all the other clan tents, set up facing the athletic field, so we had an excellent view of the Scottish games.

In the field between the clan tents and the river, there were rugby games.

One of the things I like about attending this festival is the constant sound of bagpipes throughout the day, as various groups or individuals are continually tuning up or rehearsing.

The skirl of war pipes really gets me into the spirit of the moment!

One thing that probably affected everybody physically was the sudden change in the weather, for it was a shock to our systems.

It had been rainy, windy, and colder than normal for the past few weeks.

But, on Saturday, all of a sudden, it was clear, sunny, and blazing HOT!!!

We saw the ambulance cart somebody away.

I wasn't doing too well, either, and wondered if I'd last through the day.

But, those cold drinks supplied by Mike Henderson really helped, and I spent most of the day just sitting in the shade of the tent, strumming my guitar and singing, until I had to quit, because my vocal chords became strained.

When it came time to march in the big parade, all three of us walked over there, while Clan MacDougall volunteered to guard our property, and also guard Clan Johnston's property while he participated.

Tommy Porter and I both had swords, so we carried the Clan Henderson banner, with him holding the banner in his right hand, and his sword in his left hand, while I held the banner in my left hand, and carried my sword with my right, as Mike Henderson walked behind us, centered on the banner.

Having recently studied the United States Marine Corps Sword Drill Manual, which I downloaded from the Internet, I now knew a little more about how to properly march and salute, which knowledge I shared with Tommy Porter.

Russell Henderson told me Clan Henderson uses the British Army Sword Drill Manual, but I haven't been able to find that on the Internet.

It's always impressive to see the massed pipe bands marching stately back and forth, finally halting in front of the reviewing stand.

When using our swords at the festival, we had to be very careful, and make sure nobody was too close to us.

Fortunately, after we were in position, the area around us opened up a little more, so I had sufficient room to perform a proper salute during the National Anthem.

Since I was on the right hand side, and Tommy Porter had his sword in his left hand, I rendered the honors with my sword, while Tommy Porter kept his sword in the "Order Arms" position.

When the National Anthem was over, and the speeches began, Tommy Porter and I assumed the "At Ease" position, due to the unusual heat, and not knowing how long we'd have to stand there.

Fortunately, the chaplain's prayer, and subsequent speeches, didn't take too much time, although I couldn't hear a lot of what was being said.

It seemed like the festival was bigger this year, because more space was needed to accommodate everybody.

However, it also seemed as though all of the clans had fewer participants, for when the clan names were called out, their responses were far more muted than I remember, for there were obviously fewer voices.

The lusty enthusiasm of previous years just wasn't there.

When the massed pipe bands marched away, then each of the clans simply dispersed, without any marching formation, returning to their respective tents.

As the day went on, occasional visitors dropped by, including a couple of Hendersons.

Mike said he signed up Suzie Henderson, and one of the athletes competing in the games was Jeff Henderson, who with his wife, had come from New Jersey.

Jeff won at least one of the competitions (was it stone throwing?), and came close to winning a couple of others.

Since I was wearing my military decorations, I was able to meet several other military veterans, and we compared our experiences and memories of Germany, Korea, and Viet Nam.

A gal who was in charge of the festival (I can't remember the name) visited our tent, and Mike asked her to listen to me sing, THE CELTIC FESTIVAL, which I'd composed.

I think she liked the song.

Among the songs I sang during the day, were BOTH SIDES THE TWEED, WILD MOUNTAIN THYME, LOCH LOMOND, SCOTS WHA HAE, PRETTY IRISH GIRL, JOHNNY REB, MOON RIVER, THE LAST FAREWELL, SEATTLE, THAT'S HOW I GOT TO MEMPHIS, FOUR STRONG WINDS, THUNDER ROAD, and THE CELTIC FESTIVAL.

A group of youngsters gathered behind Clan Johnston's tent, and began practicing their folk songs and playing instruments.

Clan Johnston wondered if that bothered me, and I said no, for I had already strained my voice, and I was so exhausted, and in so much pain, I'd already put my guitar back in my pickup truck, for I just couldn't do any more.

In the past, I would stay to participate in the ceilidh, and go home late at night, but I wasn't going to be able to do that this year.

During the afternoon, Mike and I did enjoy some cooling breezes, which helped a lot.

Being in position to watch the games, we witnessed incredible feats of strength, not only by males, but even FEMALES (Wow! Can you believe it?) would toss the caber, toss the sheaf, throw the hammer, and throw the stone!!!

I particularly enjoyed seeing folks walking around with their dogs, and I even petted a couple of them.

It was also a real treat watching all the young'uns running around playing.

Two little girls, with their mother, stopped to watch the games, and those two little girls were having the time of their lives dancing around and around, so full of joyous energy.

Unfortunately, the day was marred by violence and terror, as we heard the sounds of multiple gunshots emanating from among the crowd.

Yes, it was only historic reenactors, but I kind of had you going when you read that last sentence, huh?

Eventually, Mike noticed other clans starting to pack up, so he and I began taking down the tent and loading up his truck.

We also assisted Clan MacDougall with their tent.

Afterwards, we bid each other goodbye, and I headed out to my pickup truck, although I felt like I could barely walk.

But, once I was seated in the cab, cooled off by the air conditioning, and drinking bottled water (which by that time, was WARM bottled water), I began to feel much better, and headed out to the highway.

Back in the District of Columbia, I topped off my fuel tank, hauled my belongings up to my room, and parked my truck.

Boy, you should have seen the bodacious downpour, accompanied by brilliant bolts of blue lightning!

Once I was in my room, and I could get comfortable again, I ordered a pizza, got a hot shower, took a bunch of pills, and relaxed in front of my television until the medicine could take effect.

What a day it was!

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

TOSSING THE CABER

Tossing the caber, a traditional Scottish competitive athletic event, at the Celtic Festival and Highland Gathering of Southern Maryland on Saturday 25 April 2009

BULL INVADES IRISH SUPERMARKET!

Here's an amusing video that should inspire some original humor!

Saturday, April 18, 2009

THE OATH KEEPERS

***** WARNING!!! *****

This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Are you familiar with the organization, OATH KEEPERS?

They are a group of active duty military personnel, police officers, and military veterans who say they will be true to their sworn oath to uphold and defend the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

They have published a list of ten (10) orders they will NOT obey.

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1. We will NOT obey orders to disarm the American people.

2. We will NOT obey orders to conduct warrantless searches of the American people.

3. We will NOT obey orders to detain American citizens as "unlawful enemy combatants" or to subject them to military tribunal.

4. We will NOT obey orders to impose martial law or a "state of emergency" on a state.

5. We will NOT obey orders to invade and subjugate any state that asserts its sovereignty.

6. We will NOT obey any order to blockade American cities, thus turning them into giant concentration camps.

7. We will NOT obey any order to force American citizens into any form of detention camps under any pretext.

8. We will NOT obey orders to assist or support the use of any foreign troops on U.S. soil against the American people to "keep the peace" or to "maintain control."

9. We will NOT obey any orders to confiscate the property of the American people, including food and other essential supplies.

10.We will NOT obey any orders which infringe on the right of the people to free speech, to peaceably assemble, and to petition their government for a redress of grievances.


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Their motto is, "Not on MY watch!"

So, visit their web site and see what you think about it.

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Oath Keepers

Ten orders we will NOT obey!

A Special Event On 19 April 2009

OATH KEEPERS, an organization of military and police personnel who vow to keep their sworn oath to uphold and defend the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, will meet on the Green at Lexington, Massachusetts, on Sunday 19 April 2009, to renew their vows, and affirm that they will not obey orders which are in violation of the CONSTITUTION.

Here is where it all began, two hundred and thirty-four years ago, with the "shot heard 'round the world".

On 19 April 1775, seventy-seven men and boys stood on the Green at Lexington, Massachusetts, in defiance of the largest and most powerful army in the entire World.

The local militia had gathered there because they had been warned that the regular army was coming to take away their firearms and ammunition.

A Very Special Date

***** WARNING!!! *****

This dangerously illegal and immoral subversive underground resistance message is being surreptitiously monitored by the Beaming Internet Government Broadband Radio Oscillation Telecommunications Hearing Electronic Reconnaissance (i.e., B.I.G. B.R.O.T.H.E.R.) as part of a coordinated official clandestine domestic surveillance investigation, in cooperation with the National Administration of Zealous Interrogation (i.e., N.A.Z.I.) and the Commission On Message Monitoring Investigative Electronics (i.e., C.O.M.M.I.E.).

Serious felony criminal charges are pending, with extreme penalties yet to be determined!

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Tomorrow is Sunday 19 April 2009.

It was on this date, in 1775, two hundred and thirty-four years ago, that seventy-seven men and boys stood on the green at Lexington and dared to confront the most powerful army in the entire World.

The local militia were responding because they had been warned that the regular army was there to seize their firearms and ammunition.

To this day, no one knows who fired "the shot heard 'round the World", but thus began the American Revolutionary War.

The Nineteenth of April really should be observed and celebrated as a patriotic national holiday.

I wonder why it isn't?

Maybe we should organize a nationwide grassroots effort to have the Nineteenth of April officially designated a national holiday.

Since tomorrow is also Sunday, it would be (in my opinion) sacrilegious to have a parade, fireworks, or any sort of boisterous party.

But, it is appropriate for military veterans to wear their medals on their civilian suits, and for Boy Scouts to wear their uniforms.

When people ask why the old men are wearing medals on their suits, then the veterans can explain about the significance of the Nineteenth of April.

Certainly, discussion of 19 April 1775 would be an appropriate topic in any church service.

Families could get together after church for picnics and singing.

Appropriate films for family viewing would be, APRIL MORNING, starring Tommy Lee Jones, or the classic Walt Disney movie, JOHNNY TREMAIN.

A fine book to read would be THE MAKING OF AMERICA, by Dr. W. Cleon Skousen.

Do you have any other ideas for appropriately observing tomorrow's historic date?

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Television Journalist Arrested!

Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Here's video of an incident that should arouse anger in every American.

I'm glad I wasn't at this event, or I would have been arrested, or even shot, for interfering with the police.

There's no excuse for this gross violation of the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, and of inalienable rights.

Has everyone forgotten what the definition, and origin, of "inalienable rights" is?

Those police officers should be criminally prosecuted for false arrest and they should also be subject to civil litigation.

I wonder why all those other folks were just idly standing around and not getting involved?

Why weren't they physically attacking the police officers?

After all, it definitely is justified in this instance.

Not only that, but use of weapons is justified, for the police officers are armed.

Contrary to what the police officer said, this was not on private property, for the University of Southern California is a public state institution.

As far as I'm concerned, this demonstrates only one more instance of why our nation is overdue for a violent bloody revolt, and deservedly so.

I've also linked this to my FACEBOOK account.

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

PART 1 ---- GOVERNOR OF TEXAS SUPPORTS STATE SOVEREIGNTY!!!

http://governor.state.tx.us/news/press-release/12227/

PART 2 ---- GOVERNOR OF TEXAS SUPPORTS STATE SOVEREIGNTY!!!

TEXT OF RESOLUTION

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81R5789 MMS-F

By: Creighton H.C.R. No. 50


CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the
United States reads as follows: "The powers not delegated to the
United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the
States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people";
and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment defines the total scope of
federal power as being that specifically granted by the
Constitution of the United States and no more; and
WHEREAS, The scope of power defined by the Tenth Amendment
means that the federal government was created by the states
specifically to be an agent of the states; and
WHEREAS, Today, in 2009, the states are demonstrably treated
as agents of the federal government; and
WHEREAS, Many federal laws are directly in violation of the
Tenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States; and
WHEREAS, The Tenth Amendment assures that we, the people of
the United States of America and each sovereign state in the Union
of States, now have, and have always had, rights the federal
government may not usurp; and
WHEREAS, Section 4, Article IV, of the Constitution says,
"The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a
Republican Form of Government," and the Ninth Amendment states that
"The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not
be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people";
and
WHEREAS, The United States Supreme Court has ruled in New
York v. United States, 112 S. Ct. 2408 (1992), that congress may not
simply commandeer the legislative and regulatory processes of the
states; and
WHEREAS, A number of proposals from previous administrations
and some now pending from the present administration and from
congress may further violate the Constitution of the United States;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 81st Legislature of the State of Texas
hereby claim sovereignty under the Tenth Amendment to the
Constitution of the United States over all powers not otherwise
enumerated and granted to the federal government by the
Constitution of the United States; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That this serve as notice and demand to the federal
government, as our agent, to cease and desist, effective
immediately, mandates that are beyond the scope of these
constitutionally delegated powers; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That all compulsory federal legislation that
directs states to comply under threat of civil or criminal
penalties or sanctions or that requires states to pass legislation
or lose federal funding be prohibited or repealed; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That the Texas secretary of state forward official
copies of this resolution to the president of the United States, to
the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the
senate of the United States Congress, and to all the members of the
Texas delegation to the congress with the request that this
resolution be officially entered in the Congressional Record as a
memorial to the Congress of the United States of America.

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Saturday, April 11, 2009

Astronomy Meeting

University of Maryland Observatory

University of Maryland Telescope

Rachel Osten

John Mallernee

George Brunner and Elizabeth Warner

George Brunner

Elizabeth Warner

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

On Saturday 11 April 2009, I attended the regular meeting of the National Capital Astronomers at the University of Maryland Observatory lecture hall.

The lecture was THE USES OF STELLAR FLARES, presented by Rachel Osten.

To see a larger view, click on each of the photographs.
Hmmm - - - ?

I know about parachute flares, and star cluster flares, and highway flares, and railroad flares.

The first thing I learned was how terribly ignorant I am, as I observed the room full of highly educated mathematical and astrophysical geniuses.

It was a large audience, and I think just about everyone in the room was a renowned scientist, and I'm willing to bet most of them would have qualified to be members of Mensa.

Still, it was a good lecture, for as unlearned as I am, I was still able to grasp some of what was being presented.

Over time, if I continue to attend these lectures, maybe I'll gain some bits of their advanced knowledge by osmosis.

Just at this lecture, I learned some new terms I didn't know before.

All I have to do is keep my mouth shut and listen, huh?

Unfortunately, as part of her lecture, Rachel Osten gave away the plot of a movie I haven't yet seen, KNOWING, starring Nicholas Gage.

Mox nix.

I still want to see that movie.

Three (03) of us were members of the Washington Area Astronomy Meetup group, and you can see us in the photographs included with this message.

Elizabeth Warner, who is in charge of the University of Maryland Observatory, is the gal wearing a blue jacket and blue sweater.

The guy is George Brunner, a student at George Washington University, in Paul Butterworth's "ASTRONOMY 1" class.

Rachel Osten is the gal wearing a green blouse.

After the lecture, Elizabeth Warner treated George Brunner and me to a tour of the University of Maryland Observatory, and photographs of those telescopes are included with this message.

Unfortunately, due to today's inclement weather, we were unable to do any observing with the telescopes.

When attending events at the University of Maryland Observatory, it's best to arrive early, as parking space is very limited.

Apparently, there are quite a few opportunities to participate in astronomy activities in this area, and I'm definitely looking forward to learning to use my telescope and attending local star parties.

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Wednesday, April 08, 2009

Illegal Immigrant AFRH Employees?

Mr.Tim Cox, and Staff:

How many employees of the Armed Forces Retirement Home are in this country illegally?

How many contractor or subcontractor employees are here illegally?

How many employees are there who speak English as their second language, or whose speech may be difficult to understand?

(At least three employees, in critical positions, immediately come to mind.)

How many employees were hired because of racial preferences or quotas?

How many employees received educational diplomas and/or training certification based on racial preferences or quotas?

Under such conditions, isn't it only logical that the quality of medical care at this facility would be suspect?

Whether or not these conditions actually exist, the fact remains that they APPEAR to exist, and that effect can be just as deleterious.

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."

Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Military Veteran Abuse By Local Mortuaries

Robert Ranghelli, Mortuary Employee

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Greetings and Salutations to All my Kith and Kin and All the Ships in Outer Space:

Here's a news article from the Tuesday 07 April 2009 edition of the WASHINGTON POST newspaper that is of particular interest to those of us residing in Washington, D.C. at the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

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FAMILY ASKS FAIRFAX PROSECUTOR TO INVESTIGATE FUNERAL HOME

By Josh White
Washington Post Staff Writer

The family of a deceased U.S. Army veteran whose body was stored for months in a Falls Church funeral home's unrefrigerated garage is asking Fairfax County prosecutors to investigate the case as a crime.

Richard Morgan Jr., a Harrisonburg, Va., criminal defense attorney, hand-delivered a letter to Commonwealth's Attorney Raymond F. Morrogh's office yesterday arguing that the actions of National Funeral Home and its parent company, Houston-based Service Corporation International, amount to felonies. Morgan said his father's body was "defiled" because it was left to rot on a garage rack, a possible felony under a Virginia law regulating the treatment of corpses.

The body of Maj. Richard Morgan was left from November to February in a light oak coffin in the garage at SCI's central care facility, located in the same building as National Funeral Home, according to current and former employees who saw the coffin and the body inside. Morgan's family identified photographs of his remains -- dressed in a dark green suit, white shirt and red tie -- that were taken by former funeral home employee Steven Napper on Dec. 12 as he catalogued problems he felt the company was ignoring.

Napper, an embalmer and former Maryland state trooper, reported unsanitary and unethical conditions to the Virginia Board of Funeral Directors and Embalmers before resigning in February. His accounts were bolstered by other employees -- including one who came forward publicly yesterday -- and a client who stumbled upon the conditions in the garage and a walk-in cooler at the funeral home. The building serves as a central clearinghouse for bodies coming from five area SCI funeral homes.

Napper said as many as half a dozen bodies destined for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, including Morgan's, were left on the unrefrigerated racks because coolers were full and his supervisors said the company did not want to spend more money.

"This is going to keep happening unless and until people feel the oppressive weight of government and the possibility that they could be thrown in jail," Morgan said yesterday in an interview after he left the letter for Morrogh. "This should not be considered a cost of business. We need to make an example of this."

Morrogh, who was out of town yesterday and had not yet received the letter, said he could not comment on what he might do. State officials declined to comment. SCI officials have said they take the allegations seriously and are investigating, but they said they have yet to substantiate them.

The Washington Post reported Sunday that current and former SCI employees and a customer alleged unsanitary and unethical conditions at SCI's regional central care facility.

They said the facility stored as many as 200 bodies in unrefrigerated areas, including the garage, and that the bodies, sometimes fully exposed, leaked fluids on the floor.

Morgan, 41, said he felt betrayed by what happened to his father's body. He said he was told it would be refrigerated from the time of the death in November until his burial with full military honors Feb. 6 at Arlington. Morgan said he and his family members -- including a sister in Montgomery County and another sister who is deployed to Afghanistan with the Virginia National Guard -- were distraught after learning that their father's body was instead left on a storage rack to decompose.

"Somebody willfully and intentionally put my father's corpse on that rack," said Morgan, whose father served 20 years in the Army before working for it as a civilian for 26 more years. He left in 1994. "Those are the people I'd like to see punished."

Morgan, who was quoted anonymously in Sunday's Post report, said an SCI official contacted him over the weekend and denied the allegations, although he said he received no explanation for Napper's photographs, which showed bodies stored in the unrefrigerated garage. Morgan said the SCI official agreed to refund the $14,111.65 the family paid for funeral services.

"Our investigation is ongoing, and it would be inappropriate for us to comment upon it at this time or to discuss the substance of any conversations with client families," J. Scott Young, president of SCI Virginia Funeral Services, said in a statement. "In the event that any regulators or law enforcement authorities decide to investigate or make any sort of inquiry, they would have our full cooperation."

The family of retired Army Col. Andrew DeGraff, whose body was also left in a coffin on the garage rack next to Morgan's, said they would support a criminal investigation.
"My ultimate goal when I heard about this whole incident is that they lose their license and they are no longer allowed to do this business," said Grace Wozniak, DeGraff's granddaughter.

Another current SCI employee blew the whistle yesterday to decry what he has seen at their central facility in Falls Church. Robert Ranghelli, 19, of Manassas Park said the operation there is "a disgrace."

In addition to dressing bodies and making them up for viewings, Ranghelli handles "removals," or picking up the dead to take them to National Funeral Home. He said he has worked there since January and has seen numerous bodies stored in the garage, including as many as a dozen veterans on the racks waiting for burial at Arlington. He took photographs of coffins, some of which he said contained bodies, on the racks and of blood stains on the floor.

He said supervisors have asked him to store bodies on the racks and have skipped parts of the cleaning process in order to save money, even if families are charged for it.
"It's a death factory," said Ranghelli, who is also a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician. "I've had a lot of sleepless nights. I just don't feel right having to do things like place people's loved ones on racks in the garage."

Ranghelli said that he saw a state board investigator taking photographs and going through files at the funeral home last month and that she visited again yesterday. He said yesterday that supervisors there were scrambling to clean the facility over the weekend, when The Post first exposed the allegations. He said that employees bleached the cooler to remove stains and that some of the SCI funeral homes came to retrieve bodies stored there.

Numerous clients said yesterday that they called area SCI funeral homes and were told that the company is looking into the situation.

John Mastal, 37, said his father, retired Air Force Col. Jerome Mastal, died June 29 and was buried Sept. 28 at Arlington. He said employees of Demaine Funeral Home in Alexandria -- an SCI property -- told his family that the body would be refrigerated at their central facility.

"It was comforting at the time, but now I have lots of questions," Mastal said.

"Today, they say the bad conditions did not exist. Hopefully, this didn't happen to my father, but how am I ever going to know?"

Staff writer Tom Jackman contributed to this report


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Here is an accompanying VIDEO.

My concern is how are bodies from the Armed Forces Retirement Home being treated?

Shouldn't someone from the Armed Forces Retirement Home be investigating the local contractor funeral homes, especially in light of mistakes that have been made here?

In the past few years, on at least two (02) occasions, bodies from the Armed Forces Retirement Home have been misplaced or completely lost.

In an effort to save money, the Armed Forces Retirement Home closed down its own mortuary service, and our current state of chaotic confusion is a direct result of that decision.

I've only seen a couple of local funeral homes, and only from a distance, while passing by.

But, typical of businesses and neighborhoods in Washington, D.C., which resemble Third World war zones, the local funeral homes appeared rather cheap and decrepit.

I have another major concern about part of an earlier version of this breaking news report.

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VIRGINIA FUNERAL HOME ACCUSED OF ATROCIOUS CONDITIONS


Ronald Federici saw a lukewarm cooler overflowing with exposed bodies when his Army colonel father's body was taken to National in December.

"The stench was disgusting," Federici of Clifton, Va., told The Associated Press Sunday. He described seeing about 1 to 2 inches of feces and urine on the floor.

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At the moment of death, the sphincter muscles relax, and the body releases all of its waste matter.

So, were some of these people STILL ALIVE when they were placed in that cooler?

This news report should definitely have us asking some hard questions.

Thank you.

John Robert Mallernee, KB3KWS
Official Bard of Clan Henderson
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Washington, D.C. 20011-8400

NOTE: "My unpopular and controversial personal opinions are independent of my Scottish clan."