Offensive costume | The Salt Lake Tribune

This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2012, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Halloween is about dressing up as someone different. However, I was disheartened that some find it humorous to parade around as Iraqis with fake bombs strapped to their chests.

This disrespects and hurts veterans who have served and sacrificed in Iraq, and who perhaps witnessed unpleasant events involving this very "costume."

As an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran and a mental health professional serving veterans, I was saddened by the lack of respect and regard for our service members that this costume presented, even if it was Halloween. More disturbing, one individual wearing this costume represented a popular radio station.

Our returning veterans have made many sacrifices and continue to work to regain their lives that have been altered by service. They deserve to be supported and honored, not mocked by individuals who find offensive costumes comical.

Annika L. Smith

Salt Lake City