A number of families of fallen service members are upset with the use of the names and images of their deceased loved ones by anti-war groups. And some states are listening. Oklahoma and Louisiana have passed laws making it illegal to use the name or image of a fallen service member without the permission of their family. Texas, Florida and Arizona are all considering similar legislation. The constitutionality of these laws is already in question and there is no telling if these laws will stand up to judicial scrutiny, but it is a step in what many believe is the right direction.

The issue of the use of the names and pictures of deceased service members is frequently brought up when protests are staged by anti-war organizations. They use the names of fallen troops to illustrate the magnitude of the loss we have suffered in the war. They write the names of the dead troops on crosses or on placards or list them in newspaper ads. Some have argued that it is a way to honor the troops while also speaking out against the war. Others say it is nothing more than an exploitation of those who have died and it dishonors their memory.

Then there are others who are using the names of our fallen troops to make a profit as much as they are making a political statement. One such individual, and the object of much of the criticism by offended military families, is Dan Frazier. Frazier makes T- that list the names of 3,155 U.S. military personnel killed in Iraq. He uses the names to create slogans such as “Bush Lied — They Died” and “Support Our Remaining Troops — Bring the Rest Home Alive.” Frazier sells these shirts online and says he is doing it primarily to speak out against the war. But he doesn’t give them away for free and he does make a profit by selling the shirts. There are others who use the images and names of fallen service members on calling cards, body armor and other items.

Family members are understandably upset to see their loved ones used as commercial products. They are even more upset to see their loved ones used as a means to protest the very war that they gave their lives fighting. I personally have lost friends in Iraq and I know first hand that they would not have wanted their names to be used to protest a war their buddies are still fighting.