Fla. Guardsmen Probed on Iraqi Marriages; Christians who converted to Islam so they could be married

Associated Press ^ | 10-03-03

[Brian S]

By BILL KACZOR

PACE, Fla. - Two Florida National Guard soldiers who married Iraqi women against their commander's wishes are being investigated for allegedly defying an order, their families said.

The men, both Christians who converted to Islam so they could be married under Iraqi law, had expected to return to Florida this month, but a new Army policy that requires troops to remain in Iraq for 12 continuous months may keep them there until April.

In the meantime, Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, of Pace, and Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, of Walnut Hill, want to send their wives to the United States because of threats from anti-American Iraqis.

Vickie McKee, Blackwell's mother, said Friday her daughter-in-law has asked that the women not be identified for that reason. Both women are physicians.

"She's being threatened over there on almost a daily basis," McKee said. "He just wants to know that she's safe."

McKee, who said the Army is trying to prevent the women from coming to the United States, has delivered letters from her son and his wife to the district office of U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller. Dan McFaul, a spokesman for Miller, said the congressman can do nothing until the women request visas.

Blackwell's wife, now working as an interpreter for an American firm in Baghdad, wrote that the Army has prevented him from contacting her since the double wedding on Aug. 17.

"Is this freedom in U.S.?" she wrote. "Where is the human right? Where is justice?"

McKee said the soldiers have been barred from using e-mail. For a time they also were prohibited from calling home, she said.

"It's an embarrassment to the Army," said Dagen's mother, Laverne Warren. Warren said her son also was not permitted to contact his Iraqi wife.

An Army spokesman at the Pentagon referred questions to officials in Iraq, who declined comment.

Lt. Col. Ron Tittle, spokesman for the Florida National Guard in St. Augustine, said he did not know whether disciplinary action had been taken or is contemplated, but that the soldiers' battalion commander, Lt. Col. Thad Hill, had said he was worried the marriages might distract his troops from their mission and compromise their safety.

In his letter to Miller, Blackwell said the Army Inspector General's office has told him he cannot be punished for getting married, but that he could be disciplined for disobeying an order.

Other soldiers, including his company commander, were supportive, but Hill and a sergeant major opposed the marriages, Blackwell wrote. He added that the sergeant major told him "Muslims and Christians just don't jive together."

An Iraqi judge married the couples while the soldiers were on a foot patrol, Blackwell wrote.

[Mears]

Good Lord,they are getting married to Iraqi women already! Their parents must be thrilled!

[Cicero]

These guys have got to be morons.

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[PJ-Comix]

The men, both Christians who converted to Islam so they could be married under Iraqi law...

Talk about desperation!

[clintonh8r]

Geez, guys, get a Penthouse!

[saquin]

Pensacola Florida National Guard Sgt. Sean Blackwell, of Pace, Fla., right, exchanges wedding bands with his Iraqi bride, who did not want to be identified, on their wedding day, Aug. 17, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq. Family members say Blackwell, 27, and another Florida guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, of Walnut Hill, are being investigated for allegedly violating an order against marrying Iraqi women. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Family)

Pensacola Florida National Guard Sgt. Sean Blackwell, of Pace, Fla., right, stands next to his Iraqi bride, who did not want to be identified, on their wedding day, Aug. 17, 2003 in Baghdad, Iraq. Family members say Blackwell, 27, and another Florida guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, of Walnut Hill, are being investigated for allegedly violating an order against marrying Iraqi women. (AP Photo/Courtesy of Family)

[anguish]

My first question would be: is an order not to marry someone lawful?

[dagnabbit]

Looks like a pretty secular event, Muslim-conversion notwithstanding.

These Iraq relationships shouldn't come as a shocker. Has there ever been a long-term deployment or war in which GIs didn't bring home war-brides? (There's a reason why every Army base in this country is ringed by various Korean churches and enterprises).

[WackyKat]

I agree. I don't see anything sinister here.Some of those Iraqi women I see in the news videos are pretty hot.

[RabidBartender]

I only served on active duty, but is it common for a 37 year-old to be a corporal (E-4) in the National Guard (without disciplinary action)?

[Stultis]

My first question would be: is an order not to marry someone lawful?

It was when I was in the Airforce ('82-'86). Even stateside (I never went overseas) you had to get premission. It was almost never denied, mind you, but in theory it could be.

[anguish]

Geez. I would've thought that it was up to each person to decide to whom they'd get married. I'd refuse to ask for permission from anyone. Well, except the bride that is :)

[saquin]

Here's a link to the original story ("Iraqi Girlfriends Capture GI Hearts"), for anyone interested:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/972708/posts

[Polybius]

"Is this freedom in U.S.?" she wrote. "Where is the human right? Where is justice?"

Sometimes, such niceties are trumped by the "needs of the service" clause.

[Stultis]

I'd refuse to ask for permission from anyone.

Nobody asks permission of the taxpayer, either, to pony up the additional benefits for the spouses and dependents of military members, but they do.

[Bringbackthedraft]

The Guard will take a prior serviceman. He could have been out for 15 years and joined the guard after 9/11 coming in with his previous rank. Age 37 less say 3 years active duty deducted from his age makes him eligible. (I believe age 34 is the cut off) Its been a while, but I seem to remember it being that way.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Horny morons.

[Blood of Tyrants]

No, in the military you must ask and receive permission to marry a non-U.S. citizen. I presume this is so the FBI can run a background check on the potential spouse to see if he/she is a spy.

[Blood of Tyrants]

My friend was in the Navy for 4 years. He got out in '86 and then joined the NG in 2002 at the age of 39. He is now 40 and in Iraq and an E-3 (just got promoted to E-4 but not paid for it yet). He is twice the age of some of the kids in his unit.