JUSTIN SHARRATT- MY SON

The Heart | 2/12/2007 | Darryl Sharratt

[darrylsharratt]

I am the father of L/Cpl Justin Sharratt. On August16th, 2003 the dreams of a little boy became reality. My son Justin enlisted in the United States Marine Corps after high school graduation. Since the age of six, Justin dreamed of a military career. The combat boots, camouflage fatigues and helmet he wore as a child would soon become his uniform of the day as a United States Marine. To serve and protect the United States of America from all enemies both domestic and foreign; a duty he did not take lightly.

Justin’s first combat tour of duty was the city of Fallujah, Iraq. It was here, in the heat of the Iraqi desert, a boy became a man. Sharratt, Stone, Mitchell, Stevens and Wolf soon became ‘brothers by different mothers.’ In a battle known as “Hell House” they fought toe to toe with Iraqi insurgents bent on the destruction of U. S. Marines. They formed a bond forged in the furnace of combat; a bond that will last a lifetime. Semper Fidelis.

Upon his return from Iraq Justin joined us while on leave. He was transformed into the man all fathers dream and hope they will be. While on leave, Justin broke his ankle and was put on medical leave. It was at this time I realized what it meant to him to be an infantry rifleman, a grunt. He stared me in the eyes and said “Dad, all I want to do is get my ankle healed. I have to return to Iraq with 3-1 Kilo Company. The guys are counting on me to cover their six and I will never let them down.” Discussion ended—my son the warrior.

The city of Haditha, Iraq was the destination of 3-1 Kilo Company on Justin’s second deployment. Known to be a hot bed of Iraqi insurgency, the Marines of 3-1 Kilo Company could only envision what to expect. Seasoned from their tour in Fallujah, most of the Marines were on their second Operation Iraqi Freedom deployment, many their third. They were experienced combat veterans, drilled on the Rules of Engagement yet sensitive to their alien environment and the Iraqi populace.

On November 19, 2005, a convoy of four Marine humvees was ambushed on a city street in Haditha. A massive IED explosion ripped the fourth humvee in the column apart. One Marine was killed and two were seriously wounded. 3rd platoon, 3-1 Kilo Company, my son’s unit, was now in a firefight for their lives. There was no time for rage or revenge. Justin needed to apply his Marine Corps training and experience to preserve the lives of his fellow Marines. All the Marines in 3rd platoon responded in like manner- to preserve the lives of fellow Marines. Reinforcements were called in and an ambulance was needed to attend the wounded. Marines were positioned to defend their precarious position and a comm link was established to FOB Sparta. All done in the best of Marine Corps tradition and training while taking enemy fire.

In the aftermath of this engagement, 24 Iraqis were killed. A U.S. Congressman has called these Marines murderers. Time magazine has enlisted the propaganda of foreign journalists to sell its political agenda. Iraqi civilians have been schooled in making false statements. An Iraqi girl missed a day of school because she was afraid the bomb blast would injure her. Interesting reading, but I truly believe the American people can see through this barrage of media conjecture. I ask you not to prejudge my son, not to prejudge these Marines. They have served this country with honor, truth and diligence. I say unto you. the Few, the Proud, the Marines………..

War is a tragic thing. The enemy we are fighting has had centuries to prepare. They wear no uniforms, fight by no Rules of Engagement or follow the Geneva Convention. Using civilians as human shields is a common practice and their hatred for non-Islamic cultures is endemic.

The United States government has taken 12 months and spent millions of dollars and countless man-hours investigating the Haditha engagement. On December 21st, 2006, four NCOs and four officers were charged with violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. My son, LCpl Justin Sharratt faces three counts of unpremeditated murder. This is not the forum to discuss these charges but my son stands strong in the fact he followed the Rules of Engagement, protected his fellow Marines and did nothing wrong. All of these men are innocent of these charges. In the aftermath of 9-11, these men have risen to honorably serve their country. Some have given a lifetime of dedicated service, others were just beginning. They have demonstrated to the world there is “No better friend, No worse enemy” than a U.S. Marine.

For now, the handshakes will be tighter, the hugs will be longer and the tears sliding down my face are not a sign of weakness- they affirm a father’s love for his Marine son.

Darryl Sharratt Canonsburg, Pa.

www.justinsharratt.com

[RedRover]

In my morning's mailbag, pinkpanther111 sends comments for the family appearing on blogs referenced at post 155 and at post 156.

Barb // Feb 13th 2007 at 10:20 pm (edit)

Will be praying for your son and the other Marines to be found not guilty. I think it is sad that these men/women are sent off to war to do a job, and when they do, they are then called murderers! What were they supposed to do - just let their fellow soldiers die without doing anything? Or perhaps run? Our government needs to wake up.

Wayne // Feb 14th 2007 at 7:56 pm (edit)

In no way should your son or any Marine be on trial. They are doing there duty to protect us at home. Let the military fight the war not the politicians. I truly believe your son is innocent with all my heart. We need a government that stands by there men 100% . Please let me know if somehow I can help you and your family.

Note: We're sending anyone who wants to help to this website.

Finally, pink notes a trackback from this blog...Haditha fire-fight: A must read

« Sunflower Desert // Feb 13th 2007 at 9:28 am (edit)

[…] These soldiers deserve so much more than being presumed guilty. It’s well worth the click. Thanks. Support our Marines […]

[Just A Nobody]

Welcome to FreeRepublic, Mr Sharratt.

Thank you for sharing your son with us and telling his story. There are no words to convey the gratitude and love I feel for your son and his brothers in arms.

Please know that there are millions of Americans praying for Justin and all our fine courageous troops. The atrocity that is known as the persecution of our troops, by terrorists along with their friends in CONgress and the ENEMEDIA, is a stain on us all.

God Bless you and your family and may He give you the strength to endure this nightmare. My heart, thoughts and prayers are with you everyday.

[Just A Nobody]

Jaclyn, welcome to FreeRepublic!

You and Matt have created a wonderful web site for your brother. Thank you for keeping us apprised of events as they unfold. Will be ordering from cafepress and sending another donation.

Prayers for you and yours!

[Defend Our Marine]

RedRover and everyone here on FR; you all are just AWESOME! Darryl, Jaclyn, Justin, and I cannot thank you enough for all of your support and prayers. It really touches our hearts to know we are not alone. Jaclyn and Matt did a wonderful job on Justin's website; please give it to anyone and everyone you know; www.justinsharratt.com.

I talk with Justin daily, his spirits are good. For Valentines Day he and Jaclyn got me a new computer chair, since I spend all of my spare time in front of my computer, and a big box of Hershey Chocolate. I may never leave my computer room again, lol. I love my family so much and each time I think about what is going on with Justin, I get so upset, we all do. It is just still so unbelievable!

People ask me all the time if there is anything they can do to help; I simply say, “Pray, pray for Justin, pray for all the Haditha Marines, pray for all of our troops.”

God Bless!
Theresa, aka Moms (as the kids call me) “Defend our Marine.”

[Sue Perkick]

God bless your son & your family. Prayers up.

[PigRigger]

Prayers lifted for You and Your family.....tell your son we all support him.....

May God bestow His grace, comfort, and strength upon your family..

[PigRigger]

May God be with you....your brother is a man of courage and strength....I give thanks to God every night that there are still people such as him....

My family and children will never forget and will support him and his band of brothers throughout this ordeal...

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

I think of the scene in Braveheart when William Wallace pulls the helmet off the one who betrayed and the look on his face when he realizes it is the one he has been fighting for, Robert the Bruce.

The American Left and their mouthpieces in the MSM are no less traitors than Robert the Bruce.

True American patriots understand what is happening in this country and around the world and we stand firmly behind your son. We will do what we can to ensure he is not only not punished for doing what he had to do and was trained to do, but that his good name will be respected.

Thank him for his service..for all of us, even the fools that condemn him and are too blind to see what is really happening.

[Marmolade]

Thank you and your son for his service. Our prayers are with these brave Marines and their families.

[slipper]

As a mother of a Marine who is currently in the Fallujah area, my heart breaks for your brother and his family. We know this could be our family suffering though this...and in essence, because these are Marines....it is our family.

Thoughts and prayers,
Semper Fi

[RedRover]

Thank you for the kind words, but you ain't seen nothing yet. We're just getting warmed up. I sent an e-mail. I think it's time to kick it all up a notch.

[kkmo9]

Welcome to FR, Mr Sharratt.

Our family's prayers are with yours daily and will be for as long as needed...

[kkmo9]

bookmark

[RedRover]

One of my favorite bloggers (and Freepers) is Robin Boyd at Chickenhawk Express and NewsBusters. This afternoon, Robin posted the entry, A Marine Father Speaks But Is Anyone Listening?

In part, Robin writes:

The very same media that has convicted the Marines in the court of public opinion has a problem with airing the views of this Marine Father. Several dedicated FReepers have spent an inordinate amount of time trying to inform the public about the unreported side of Haditha. Many of us bloggers have written story after story about Haditha. But we just don't have a wide enough audience. The public deserves to hear from Mr. Sharratt. Instead we get more of Murtha and his "slow bleed" of treason. There are two sides to this story but only one is getting told.

We spoke up in unison and got an apology from Alan Colmes. We can do it again to get Justin's story told. Speak up - Spread the word. It's the least we can do for the Marines charged in the Haditha incident and their families.

Robin is right as rain.

Marines were physically abused for months to extract confessions in the Hamdania case. That should be a source of national outrage but, instead, has been completely ignored.

In the 2nd Lt Nathan Phan case, the revelation that NCIS investigators falsified statements (while a JAG approved of the destruction of evidence) should have made headlines from coast-to-coast.

In the Haditha case, nobody in the media is interested in the story from the non-terrorist viewpoint.

So we’re starting a campaign to change that.

If you have a favorite radio or TV news / commentary show, please ask them to have Haditha Marine father, Darryl Sharratt, as a guest. You've heard Darryl speak here and know he is a powerful advocate for justice for all the Haditha Marines.

I don't believe in e-mail spam campaigns. They're too easy to dismiss. So I'd just like to suggest that, since you're already at a computer, think of someone who OUGHT to be talking about the treatment of our Marines and give them a shout.

Let's make something happen. Your help in this is very much appreciated.

--------------------------------

PS. Robin also sent me a Freepmail to say she is the proud purchaser of this lovely new sweatshirt. Its message is one to share loudly and proudly:

Wouldn't you or a loved one (or even the whole family) look great in one of these babies? You'll find this sweatshirt and an array of products (whose purchase will help support the Haditha Marines) at CaféPress.com.

And remember to visit JustinSharratt.com for lots of info, a blog, and more photos than you can shake a stick at.

Thanks for listening!

RedRover

[bitty]

Justin is the kind of man that makes America great! Welcome Jacklyn.

[lilycicero]

HOLY SMOKER! You know I am shopping now. Thanks!

Thank you Robin!

[lilycicero]

BTW, my "OUGHT" to person is O'Reilly. Done.

[Jet Jaguar]

BTTT

[TNdandelion]

I believe in your son and his "brothers."

[freema]

Ping to Post #194.

Re:
1. Robin Boyd at Chickenhawk Express and NewsBusters
"A Marine Father Speaks But Is Anyone Listening?"
2. Cafe Press Proceeds

Thank you for listening.