airframesguru
02-10-05, 12:16 PM
Who is my son? Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano
LT Pantano addressing the officers of TBS, October 2003
He is a young, intelligent, charismatic Marine officer and all that that entails. And yet he is incomprehensibly charged with heinous crimes related to a dangerous military operation that took place in “the triangle of death” just south of Baghdad. It was during the peak of insurgent violence in mid April of 2004, with hundreds of fellow Marines and soldiers being killed and wounded throughout the “Sunni Triangle.” Terrorists, captured while trying to recover a vehicle used in an earlier attack on the Marines, had given detailed information about a supply of weapons and terrorist hideout that my son and his platoon were hastily dispatched to search. Their search revealed weapons, ammunition, mortar equipment, bomb-making material and two fleeing terrorists. In an ensuing search of the terrorists’ vehicle, my son, concerned for his safety and the safety of his men shot them both in self defense and then disabled their vehicle so it could not be used in further attacks. He and his men went on to fight with distinction and honor in Falluja and the surrounding areas and, when possible, aided in the reconstruction effort. Months later, the government began an investigation that only now, 10 months after the fact, alleges an evil intent which is at polar opposite of my son’s character and principals. In fact, it was so outrageous to the men that serve with and command Second Lieutenant Pantano, that even during the investigation he continued to hold a high degree of responsibility and participate in the combat operations of the battalion. If he has a fault, it is that he is too idealistic and puts moral responsibility and duty to his country and his men before anything else, including his family, his wife and young sons, and his own welfare. If I, his mother, have a fault it is that I won’t sit idly by while his reputation, honor and sacrifices are diminished by bureaucrats squeamish with the sight of blood while our country is at war.
http://defendthedefenders.org/pages/3/index.htm:marine:
LT Pantano addressing the officers of TBS, October 2003
He is a young, intelligent, charismatic Marine officer and all that that entails. And yet he is incomprehensibly charged with heinous crimes related to a dangerous military operation that took place in “the triangle of death” just south of Baghdad. It was during the peak of insurgent violence in mid April of 2004, with hundreds of fellow Marines and soldiers being killed and wounded throughout the “Sunni Triangle.” Terrorists, captured while trying to recover a vehicle used in an earlier attack on the Marines, had given detailed information about a supply of weapons and terrorist hideout that my son and his platoon were hastily dispatched to search. Their search revealed weapons, ammunition, mortar equipment, bomb-making material and two fleeing terrorists. In an ensuing search of the terrorists’ vehicle, my son, concerned for his safety and the safety of his men shot them both in self defense and then disabled their vehicle so it could not be used in further attacks. He and his men went on to fight with distinction and honor in Falluja and the surrounding areas and, when possible, aided in the reconstruction effort. Months later, the government began an investigation that only now, 10 months after the fact, alleges an evil intent which is at polar opposite of my son’s character and principals. In fact, it was so outrageous to the men that serve with and command Second Lieutenant Pantano, that even during the investigation he continued to hold a high degree of responsibility and participate in the combat operations of the battalion. If he has a fault, it is that he is too idealistic and puts moral responsibility and duty to his country and his men before anything else, including his family, his wife and young sons, and his own welfare. If I, his mother, have a fault it is that I won’t sit idly by while his reputation, honor and sacrifices are diminished by bureaucrats squeamish with the sight of blood while our country is at war.
http://defendthedefenders.org/pages/3/index.htm:marine: