Posted on 02/19/2007 1:57:58 PM PST by Semper Fi Mom
Our son is Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich the squad leader at Haditha. Most of you know the circumstances of Haditha, the ambush, the IED explosion, the loss of a comrade, the ensuing firefight, the aftermath of the engagement and then the media frenzy condemning our son and his squad. We would now like you to know a little bit about our son.
As a young boy in elementary and middle school, Frank always wanted to be challenged to do his best and accomplish as much as possible. He had been in the gifted and talented program, the Target program, the Odyssey program, the College Science program, played the trumpet in the school band, participated in baseball and soccer. High school was no different, except that there were numerous other activities, Drama Club, drum major, jazz band, tennis, soccer, wrestling, to name a few.
Frank had been considering a military career for a couple of years. He enlisted in the Marine Corps under the Delayed Entry Program on July 1, 1997, just a few months before he began his senior year in high school. Although he had planned to play in the Marine Corps band, things didn't work out and he enlisted in the infantry. We were always amazed at how he was able to juggle the Maine Corps, school, sports, a part-time job and a social life but he did so with determination.
A few days after high school graduation Frank was sent off to basic training at Parris Island, S.C. How proudly we stood and watched as he graduated from boot camp. Our son had accomplished his goals. He had become a dedicated, well-discipined Marine, a man. All he could be. He is now stationed at Camp Pendleton, CA.
Haditha was Frank's first combat tour of duty. He wasn't afraid to go although he would certainly miss his family. He was anxious, willing and ready to serve his country, confident that he and his fellow Marines had the best training possible and were well prepared. He wrote to us as often as he could, always telling us "not to worry." "We are all doing our jobs extremely well here and making it extremely hard for the insurgents to operate." We prayed every day, every night, every minute he was in Iraq, that he and his fellow Marines would come home safely.
On November 12, 2005, Haditha happened. Word came that he was okay but had lost one of his fellow Marines, two were injured, the rest were safe. In January 2006 he was recommended for the "Navy Achievement Medal with combat distinguishing device" by his platoon leader Lt. William T. Kallop for his leadership at Haditha. This recommendation has since fallen through the cracks and the medal has not been awarded.
Frank returned to the states in April 2006. He and his family were planning on relocating closer to the east coast when he was discharged in June 2006. He hoped to pursue a career in music production. That never happened! In May of 2006 the allegations began. We were deluged with media at our doorstep and phone calls from every news source in the U.S. and beyond. We continue to be called upon whenever any new headlines emerge. We know our son is innocent, we know he has done nothing wrong, we know he was following the "Rules of Engagement." He is a Marine who was doing the job he was trained to do. To Time magazine, John Murtha and Alan Colmes we say: "How dare you? How dare you condemn our Marines for doing their job? There have been NO Article 32 hearings, NO convictions, NO confessions! Yet you deem it necessary to tarnish their reputations without any facts." The misinformation, the "leaks", the media "sensationalism" makes our blood boil and our hearts break.
There isn't a day that goes by that we don't shed tears. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't say prayers. There isn't a day that goes by that we don't think of Frank and his squad. To those of you who have expressed your support for Frank and his felllow Marines via mail, phone calls, the internet, etc., we can only say that we will be eternally grateful! You make it a little easier to get through each day.
We have continuously talked to various news media, been on local and national television defending our son. Dave and our daughter-in-law have appeared on Hannity & Colmes. Our family and friends will continue to support our son. We hope and pray that you will too. We truly believe in his innocence.
Through all of this adversity Frank has maintained his innocence with dignity and held his head up high. He is a great Marine, a loving son, father, husband and brother. He is kind, has great character, and loves his country. He is OUR SON, OUR HERO!
"Through tears of sadness hopefully there wil be tears of joy"!
Rosemarie & David Wuterich, Meriden, CT www.frankwuterich.com
Welcome to FreeRepublic, you are among a lot of friends.
PING...
MARINE CORPS LEAGUE
http://www.mcleague.com/mdp/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=97
"THE MARINES", airing Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 9:00-10:30 p.m. EST on PBS, examines the unique "Warrior Culture" of the smallest but fiercest branch of the U.S. armed services.
With significant access to Marine Corps training facilities in Parris Island, South Carolina; Quantico, Virginia; and Twentynine Palms, California, THE MARINES reveals what it takes and what it means to be a Marine - from the first moments of a recruit's arrival at boot camp.
Welcome to Free Republic....and thank you for the wonderful letter.
Big Bump for this patriotic American.
Thank you SO much for letting me know.
I never check PBS' schedule and I wouldn't have seen it.
God bless the Marines and your son. The wrong people are in prison.
Beat you to it!
Ping to thread...and ping to post #4.
That is all I needed to know. We stand behind your son and his brother Marines. Please know that you, your family, your son, his fellow Marines and our beloved Marine Corp are in are daily thoughts and prayers. Please let us know what we can do to help, it is the least we can do for heroes like your son who placed their lives and bodies in the line of fire to protect us.
Welcome, you are among Friends.
Bump and prayers.
all my thoughts and prayers are with you....i will be praying for your son....he was there fighting for our freedom and safety....I am disgusted about this whole Haditha bs.....
Our hearts and prayers go out to your and your son.
Most of us will never experience the sacrifices your family has made, and most of us have no way to fully repay your son and you for them either.
Our only means at hand is to continue to honor his heroic and honorable service with our continued support and prayers for our nation's success, with the efforts of him and those who serve as he does.
Your son will always have the appreciation and respect of all Americans of good conscience.
God speed to your family.
Welcome to Free Republic, and thank you for this posting.
B U M P
Welcome to Free Republic, Semper Fi Mom. You, your family and all the military have many FRiends here.
Thanks for the pings.
Your son is one of my heroes. I am praying for him.
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