Massachusetts Representative Defends Comment on Florida Air Force Suicide

Freshman state representative's comments about military suicides, police shootings spark backlash
By State House News Service
March 17, 2015

"If that controversy starts a discussion that will get the media to pay attention to the onslaught of veterans suicides then I say that's a good thing. So if this ends up being a conversation starter, then that's a good thing. People always have a right to disagree with me, but I feel very strongly about this issue," Whelan said.

BOSTON - A social media post authored by a freshman representative from Cape Cod about military suicides and police shootings drew criticism for being racist on Tuesday as the lawmaker defended himself by putting the focus on the media's handling of both issues.

Brewster Rep. Timothy Whelan's Tuesday morning Facebook post shared a photo originally posted by the veterans advocacy website Americanstrong.com and featured Capt. Jamie Ann Brunette, a 30-year-old Floridian and 11-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force, who reportedly committed suicide Feb. 9, according to online obituaries.

The full post reads as follows:

"Know her name. Know it, and honor this woman who suffered mental wounds that you cannot see while serving our Nation with honor. The media has made sure you know Trayvon Martin's and Michael Brown's name, and they represent the worst our society has to offer. Instead, know the name of a hero like Captain Brunette. Thank you, Ma'am, for your honorable service defending our freedoms."

Whelan's post was later edited to remove the entire sentence which referred to Brown and Martin.
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