Posted on 02/12/2007 4:36:44 PM PST by 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
Here's an example of what you dont know
delacoert's list has over a hundred names, mine has a little over eighty. Maybe it's worth doing a "merge and purge" to create a master ping list. Or should we just ping each other to new threads?
In any event, I wanted to be sure everyyone knows that the Sharratt family have joined us here on Free Republic. So I'm pinging you to this thread in case you hadn't seen it.
I am crying with you. Your son is in my heart and prayers.
Like you, many of us at FR have been convinced since the early reports that the charges against the marines at Haditha are an outrageous lie.
Please feel free to merge my ping list with yours. I would like a copy of the end result which I will then put on my profile page in substitution for the ping list that is current published there.
My prayers are always for our war fighters. This group of my boy Marines must be prayed through to safety if need be.
May our loving God wrap His powerful arms around you, you son and family. May He also do the same for all of the marines and families involved.
Good Job Robin
His latest is From the Father of Haditha Marine, Justin Sharratt
Mr. Sharratt has been desperate to tell his story, but absolutely no one in our watchdog media will even give him the time of day.
This is absolutely shameful. Even Fox News won't cover Haditha from the non-terrorist point of view.
At post 194, we asked Freepers to please contact any media commentators or news shows and suggest Darryl Sharratt as a guest. He has a powerful voice to speak for all the Haditha Marines. It's past time the public heard about these Marines from someone other than "Bleed 'em Slow" Murtha.
So please check out Sweetness & Light and all the info at post 194.
---------------
BTW, this is the first post to the new and enlarged Haditha Marine Ping List. Jaz and I have merged and purged our list with delacoert's. This puts the new list at 199 pingees. delacoert, jazusamo, and I will share ping master duties.
Thanks for listening!
RedRover
See post 207 above.
See post 207 above.
Will absolutely start contacting people. It just makes me mad that the media acts like this is nothing and prattles on about some dumb blond 24/7
Thanks, McG. Freepers wrestled an apology out of Alan Colmes about the Haditha Marines. Now we have to go one better and get this story out.
Darryl, the tears that are welling are for the deep ache in my heart over the anguish being wrought upon you, your son, and all the Marines involved. There is also, a seething anger that such fine people would be treated in this manner. The Congressman's reaction is a betrayal of the trust that these Marines, and all those serve, place in them.
Please let your son and his companions know that there are many out here that support them. God bless you all!
Thanks for the ping..and reminder, Red Rover.
ALL Servicemen stand together.
As if it is not enough to fight our mortal enemies, now we have to fight certain elements, who sometimes call themselves our friends.
As a foreigner, I am appalled at what is presently going on in your government.
To paraphrase Rudyard Kipling to Thomas Atkins, the archetype Serviceman:
"Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap."
And:
"O, there'll surely come a day
When they'll give you all your pay,
And treat you as a Christian ought to do;
So, until that day comes round,
Heaven keep you safe and sound,
And, Thomas Atkins, here's my best respects to you!"
'Those who have never served can never understand those who have.'
Mr Sharratt
Please tell your son and his Marine brothers that there are a lot of people who believe in them. When I first read about this story I could not believe that anyone could not see the falseness and outright lies being spread by mainly the press. I believe in their innocence and I pray for them and all of the families. This country is so blessed because we have such wonderful young people as your son and all his
brothers. May God bless them and shine the light of truth on the evil people who are pushing this.
Thanks RR. Continued prayers for our heroic Marines. Prayers that the truth would come out and they would be freed from these false charges.
With tears in my heart I am outraged by what the government is doing to these Marines, brave and true. With my pocketbook I have contributed to their defense on several occasions, and I urge all Freepers to do likewise.
With my prayers I ask the Lord to bring them, each one, through this victoriously. Please let them know the people are with them.
One thing is for sure, the alphabets are not going to pick up on the cause. They are so two faced it is pathetic.
Agreed, but we have to stay positive and keep trying.
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