Free Republic

If these men, like the Pendleton 8 before them, become sacrificial lambs, it will be Taps for the US Marine Corps, having turned it's back on that which it depends for it's existence; 16 of it's riflemen who answered their country's call and survived, only to be devoured by the very legal system they fought to protect. Facing charges of murder: Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich Sgt. Sanick P. De La Cruz Lance Cpl. Stephen B. Tatum Lance Cpl. Justin L. Sharrat Facing charges of failing to report/investigate: Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani Cpt. Lucas M. Mc Connell Cpt. Randy W....

DEL RIO, Texas -- A recent standoff between National Guardsmen and heavily armed outlaws along the Mexican border has rattled some troops and raised questions about the rules of engagement for soldiers who were sent to the border in what was supposed to be a backup role. Six to eight gunmen -- possibly heading for Mexico with drug money -- approached a group of Tennessee National Guard troops at an overnight observation post Jan. 3 on the U.S. side of the Arizona-Mexico border. No one fired a shot, and the confrontation ended when American troops retreated to contact the Border...