Posted on 11/19/2004 8:50:04 AM PST by areafiftyone
Once again the blogger world has stepped up to the plate to do job the mainstream media is supposed to do - but seldom bothers anymore.
While U.S. and Arab media went-pedal-to-the-metal with the NBC video of a Marine in Fallujah committing the "atrocity" of defending himself and his platoon against a wounded terrorist, PowerlineBlog.com has helped put the incident in perspective, by publishing a letter from a brother Marine who describes just what our guys are up against.
The moving account is beginning to make the rounds on talk radio, with WABC host Mark Levin sharing it with his audience Thursday night.
We thought it was worth doing the same:
Letter From a Fallujah Marine:
This is one story of many that people normally don't hear, and one that everyone does.
This is one most don't hear:
A young Marine and his cover man cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with AK-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor (doctor)!"
He is badly wounded, lying in a pool of his own blood. The Marine and his cover man slowly walk toward the injured man, scanning to make sure no enemies come from behind. In a split second, the pressure in the room greatly exceeds that of the outside, and the concussion seems to be felt before the blast is heard. Marines outside rush to the room, and look in horror as the dust gradually settles.
The result is a room filled with the barely recognizable remains of the deceased, caused by an insurgent setting off several pounds of explosives.
The Marines' remains are gathered by teary-eyed comrades, brothers in arms, and shipped home in a box. The families can only mourn over a casket and a picture of their loved one, a life cut short by someone who hid behind a white flag.
But no one hears these stories, except those who have lived to carry remains of a friend, and the families who loved the dead. No one hears this, so no one cares.
This is the story everyone hears:
A young Marine and his fire team cautiously enter a room just recently filled with insurgents armed with AK-47's and RPG's. There are three dead, another wailing in pain. The insurgent can be heard saying, "Mister, mister! Diktoor, diktoor (doctor)!" He is badly wounded.
Suddenly, he pulls from under his bloody clothes a grenade, without the pin. The explosion rocks the room, killing one Marine, wounding the others. The young Marine catches shrapnel in the face.
The next day, same Marine, same type of situation, a different story. The young Marine and his cover man enter a room with two wounded insurgents. One lies on the floor in puddle of blood, another against the wall. A reporter and his camera survey the wreckage inside, and in the background can be heard the voice of a Marine, "He's moving, he's moving!"
The pop of a rifle is heard, and the insurgent against the wall is now dead. Minutes, hours later, the scene is aired on national television, and the Marine is being held for committing a war crime. Unlawful killing.
And now, another Marine has the possibility of being burned at the stake for protecting the life of his brethren. His family now wrings their hands in grief, tears streaming down their face. Brother, should I have been in your boots, I too would have done the same.
For those of you who don't know, we Marines, Band of Brothers, Jarheads, Leathernecks, etc., do not fight because we think it is right, or think it is wrong. We are here for the man to our left, and the man to our right. We choose to give our lives so that the man or woman next to us can go home and see their husbands, wives, children, friends and families.
For those of you who sit on your couches in front of your television, and choose to condemn this man's actions, I have but one thing to say to you. Get out of your recliner, lace up my boots, pick up a rifle, leave your family behind and join me. See what I've seen, walk where I have walked. To those of you who support us, my sincerest gratitude. You keep us alive.
I am a Marine currently doing his second tour in Iraq. These are my opinions and mine alone. They do not represent those of the Marine Corps or of the US military, or any other.
bump
The MSM is dead. It died of a lingering cancer that was painful to all who came in contact with it.
Bump. May a special place in hell be reserved for the America hating media.
Actually son, the do represent those of very many of us.
This is about the third posting of this letter....
Exactly right!
I am personally glad that it was posted again. God bless our troops. I will back this kid up with all my power. KC1
Denigrating our brave heroes
Denigrating those who believe in values and do their best to live those values.
Trashing the military is part of their self appointed duty.
A pox on them all.
PING!!
Ping - and a prayer sent to our bravest men and women overseas and here at home, waiting to be deployed or returning from duty.
must read bump.
Snopercod posted an update to this story here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282410/posts?page=126#126
A MUST read later today!
Yes. They represent the views of nearly everyone that I know. Even the DemocRATs that I know are incredulous that this Marine is being treated so shabbily. God bless America, and God bless our military. And as an ex-sailor, though it galls me to say it... especially bless the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fi, jarheads.
Petition to US congress re: the Marine in Fallujah:
http://www.petitiononline.com/as123/petition.html
52551 signatures and counting.
When you cant trust the surrendering, the dead, or the dying... to not blow you and your corpsman up...as their last act on earth...then the only avenue left to you is recon by fire...
God Bless our troops
I would have done the exact same thing. Without one ounce of remorse once the enemy was found to be unarmed...guilt by association? you bet but my comrades in arms and I live to fight another day.
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