Posted on 06/27/2007 9:45:03 AM PDT by darrylsharratt
Haditha- Our Family’s Thoughts
Our son, L/Cpl Justin Sharratt will be exonerated of the charges of three counts of unpremeditated murder in a firefight that occurred in Haditha, Iraq on 19 November 2005. Our family knew these charges were false. Our son, Our Marine was not capable of such acts. Justin was a disciplined Marine, trained to defend his country and the lives of his fellow Marines. Justin supported a singular mission, to defend this great nation of ours..
Throughout this ordeal, the readers of FR and Americans from every corner of the United States have joined us in our fight. Your calls, your prayers, your letters and e-mails carried us through these rough times. Your monetary assistance has eased the financial burden of defending our warrior son. Without this support, our family may not have made it through these trying times.
I will never tell a bad lawyer joke for the rest of my days. Attorneys Gary Meyers, James Culp, Dan Conway and Lt Col Brian Cosgrove are extraordinary persons. They truly believed in the innocence of our son and used their expertise to prove it. Sometimes the task seemed daunting. L/Cpl Justin Sharratt vs. the government of the United States. Throw in the media and self-serving politicians and there were plenty of sleepless nights.
In the spirit of America’s founding fathers, our family will go on. We will put together the pieces of our shattered lives and move forward. Though I can’t help but wonder what could have been. The childhood dreams of our son have been dashed by a system gone awry. It was once said you can harm one’s body, but you cannot destroy the soul. The Marine Corps has lost a warrior son. Justin will no longer wear the uniform he had taken so much pride in donning. We, as a family will mend his spirit and God will help mend his soul. To the Marine Corps I say….shame on you.
To the families of America’s fallen heroes, I shout…. thank-you and God bless. For you have made the ultimate sacrifice. Our son, Justin came back to us and we are fortunate. He will continue on life’s path suppressing the memories of fallen comrades. Our nation will plod forward kept safe by the blood and sweat of our unsung heroes, past and present. They could, when we couldn’t. They did, when we didn’t.
God Bless
Darryl, Theresa, Jaclyn, L/Cpl Justin Sharratt
Please tell your son how much we appreciate, love and support him. Your whole family has gone through the fire for this country... whether poorly-informed Americans know it or not.
Justin could have just plea-bargained - but he knew he was innocent, and was willing to go to jail rather than say he did something wrong. By taking the courageous route, he has stood up for all soldiers and their right to do their difficult and demanding jobs. Perhaps he’s even discouraged hyperactive JAGs from trying to obstruct their country’s war mission.
I KNEW from the start that ‘our boys’ did not do this thing they were accused of. The more I read, the more I knew it was a lie and a con job. All they did was fight the enemy. After they won, the enemy sent out their PR team to deprive them of their victory. And to think, both the JAG and the DBM believed... the enemy.
I fear for my country in hands like those. But then I remember our men like Justin, and know we have a chance!
Thanks and love from California - Shaz
That is wonderful news! God Bless you and your family, and God Bless Justin. Thank him for his service.
I had to smile when I read what you said about bad lawyer jokes. You were blessed to have a good legal team.
I am terribly sorry for what your fine family had to endure
May God bless your family. Justin faced the firefights of Fallujah and Haditha and was victorious. Your family has faced the firestorm of the media and anti-war types and will be victorious. It is truly a shame that the Marines have lost a fine warrior. I hope Justin can lean on the lessons and values taught by the Marine Corps, as he continues on his path in life. Thankyou, Justin, for your service for all Americans. Thankyou, Theresa and Darryl for hanging tough during this long ordeal.
I admire your commitment not only to your family, but your good will to the other Haditha families as well. You always included them in your interviews and asked us to give them help. You are a selfless family and I thank you.
A shame for sure. May Murtha and his cohorts have permanent indigestion and nightmares as payment for what they have wrought.
God bless you Mr. Sherratt, and the rest of your family too. You gave for this country all we asked of you and did not deserve to be treated in this manner. For that, I am truly ashamed.
Careful. Has the tribunal ruled yet?
I know the testimony went well for your son, but until the tribunal comes back, anything could happen. Hope for the best, but be prepared for the worst.
The childhood dreams of our son have been dashed by a system gone awry. It was once said you can harm one’s body, but you cannot destroy the soul. The Marine Corps has lost a warrior son. Justin will no longer wear the uniform he had taken so much pride in donning.
Tragic. Simply tragic.
Darryl.....your entire family continues to be in my thoughts and prayers. Your son is a Hero. That cannot be taken away from him. I hope he knows that there are so many across this country that believe in him and want him to continue to stand tall and proud!
I, too, believe he will be exonerated.
Outstanding!!!
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