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
I root for the home team and your son is on the the home team!! I don't know the Haditha facts but I'm in your don't corner
**son's corner**
We live in a topsy-turvy world - evil is called good and good is called evil. Prayers for you and your son.
Prayers for this wonderful young man and his company. I'm livid that they are sent to fight a war and then hamstrung by inane "rules of engagement"
Bump for this patriotic American and his family......
We stand behind your son and all the others who are going through this ordeal. BTW, he's our hero too, hope you don't mind.
Thank's to Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, his comrades and his family.
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I don't believe he did anything other than kill bad guys. Our prayers are with him and the rest of our heroes.
Pray for W and Our Marines
Welcome. The folks here at Free Republic will continue to get the truth out to the misinformed masses and we will keep you all in our prayers, as we do all of those fighting this battle for America.
Our hearts go out to your son and your family.
He's my hero too. Thank you for sharing this with us. God bless you and yours.
God bless your son from a old South Florida Marine. We are pulling for your son and every other brave young Marine who is defending our country.
Semper Fi'
Jarhead
Thanks to Frank Wuterich and to his family, Americans enjoy safety and freedom. Thanks to all combat soldiers who serve, and thanks to the other military personnel who go so far away from home work long days and nights to keep them going.
Combat soldiers will have to look hard and be patient before finding friends back home (employers who don't mind having real men around, for example), but we're out here.
Ping.
It can just break ones heart to hear such testimonies from these find Marines that continue to be put through Hell for doing their best in super dangerous conditions. And what the families have to go through.
These families are obviously going through so much torture over this whole sorid affair. I just don't know what to day anymore.
Thankyou for sharing Frank's story, Semper Fi Mom. Thanks, also, to Frank and the other Marines for their service in this War on Terror. I pray that God blesses your family and gives you strength as you carry on Frank's fight.
You can just say you will stay on with us!
God bless your whole family and all our Marines.
Remember to pray all.
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