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
Thanks for HOLY COW ping! I think he was on FNC with Neal Puckett when they announced that they are going after Murtha. I might be wrong.
Vindication syndication!
My prayers are joining yours.
Keeping your son and fellow marines in my prayers. That these heros should be used as political fodder is an atrocity.
Awesome news! It is time to get some face time for the Marines charged in this incident. (And Frank has such a nice face!) Most of what the major media has put out there so far regarding charges, Murtha's accusations, etc. have gone unanswered by the other side (on major media). It is time for some balance.
I don't trust the media, either, when it comes to their ability to edit and put out their story. But Neal Puckett sounds like a smart lawyer, and Mark Zaid seems to understand the PR aspect of this case. Overall it seems worth the risk. Looking forward to the broadcast.
Holy cow is right!
WOW!
Continuous prayers that this whole Haditha travesty will be over soon and our brave guys will be VINDICATED!
In the meantime, I look forward to the interview!
God bless our brave troops!
Once again to ALL of you we don't quite know what to say. Your support for our son is overwhelming! We are anxiously awaiting the "60 Minutes" interview. We have no knowledge of what will be said other than what CBS reports but believe that Frank and his lawyers truly feel they are doing the right thing. Please pray for all us.
Most Freepers I know believe in the power of prayer.
I will say a special prayer tonight for you, Frank, the whole Wuterich family.
Hope other Freepers will join me! All things are possible!
Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich poses with his wife Marisol Aura Wuterich in this 1999 photo.
Pinging you to Semper Fi Mom's post 148 above.
My family is joining Redrover and his family in prayers for yours.
God Bless you and your family!
Your son and DIL look wonderful. Thank him for his service, and prayers for both of them and for you.
I don't want to sound negative, but as many here, one wonders just what motives the CBS network had in granting your son an interview to begin with. As noted by I believe Red a day back or so, the interview is now dated. Much has come to be known that would not allow clarification if the the interview was taken way back when. Regardless of how CBS conducts it, we must believe ultimately your son and rest of those Marines shall have all charges dropped against them.
Sending prayers up for your family and all the Marines charged in this incident.
Hi, Girl! Glad you're here (you needed a break from "there"!).
Many here are extremely dubious that 60 Minutes will be fair toward the Haditha Marines. We will see.
If 60 Minutes show its usual arrogance and bias, then the show will need some serious Freeping.
Prayers,Bump.
I hope I remember.
I haven't put 60 Minutes in my "mental calendar" for decades..LOL
Thanks for the ping!
Hey, sleuth! Are you in Eastern Standard Time? Networks don't broadcast like cable.
Thanks, fatima! Always glad knowing you pray for these Marines.
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