Thanks to some great investigative work by Michelle Malkin, we have a letter from the Pa. Lt. Gov. Catherine Knoll:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 25, 2005 COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA Office of the Lieutenant Governor Commonwealth News Bureau Room 200, Main Capitol Harrisburg, PA 17120 LT. GOVERNOR CATHERINE BAKER KNOLL LETTER OF APOLOGY HARRISBURG: July 25, 2005 Dear Mrs. Goodrich,
I am writing to further apologize and clarify what happened at the funeral of your beloved husband, Joseph. As a wife and mother, I can only imagine how difficult it must be to lose your spouse so suddenly. As an adored member of your family and one of Pennsylvanias sons serving with soldiers from across the commonwealth, SSGT Joseph Goodrich, is one of this nations heroes.
As I said in my phone message to Rhonda, after I learned through press reports that your family was offended by my attendance, I was incredibly upset. I wanted to assure you once again that my intention was not to add to what must be a tremendously, heartbreaking, difficult period.
The war on terror is an immensely personal conflict for the thousands of people whose families continue to serve with honor, and I have attended dozens of funerals to offer my sympathy and condolences to the families of soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice.
My heart and prayers are with your family, and to the families of all the men and women serving the cause of freedom in the fight against terror. I unfortunately, did not arrive at the church services for SSGT Goodrichs funeral in time to offer my personal condolences to you. As I also mentioned on Rhondas phone message, as I do with many Pennsylvanians I meet, I offered my business card so she could contact me, and as a sign of my willingness to help the family through this difficult time in any way I can. To do anything that was deemed insensitive was completely counter to my intent.
Sergeant Goodrichs service was beyond the call of duty. If my regard for his familys grief was seen another way, it is thoroughly regrettable. The fact that you have been offended deserves and receives my most profound apology.
I will continue to support our troops in my role as Lt. Governor and support our President as an American. That I somehow conveyed an impression that was interpreted as other than that will forever be saddening and upsetting to me.
Again, please accept my heartfelt apology and deepest sympathy.
Sincerely, Catherine Baker Knoll Lieutenant Governor
Michelle points out that the witch will not hold a press conference or in any way address this subject ever again. Apparently, Lt. Gov. Knoll will be busy for a few weeks selling building materials to hurricane victims in Florida.