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thedrifter
07-10-07, 06:01 AM
Bring them home
Peter Hart -
Mon 07/09/2007 10:01PM
Editor:

We received word on Saturday that our son, Staff Sergeant Jeremiah Sherman, USMC, was wounded by a roadside bomb the previous day, July 6, which was the fourth anniversary of the passing of our other son, Zachariah.

Jeremiah's injuries are relatively minor considering that he was unknowingly standing directly on top of this improvised explosive device when it exploded, sending the blast force all around him and with Jeremiah falling back into the crater created by the blast. He credits his brother for watching out for him and keeping him alive. It was a true miracle that he survived. He suffered shrapnel wounds to one side of his body, a possible broken hand, a concussion, one hell of a headache and a lot of ringing in his ears. We have spoken with him since and he is up walking around and in good spirits. He will be back with his unit in a few days or weeks if his injuries allow him. He is anxious to get back as he does not want to abandon his unit and his fellow Marines.

A true hero and selfless Marine, Jeremiah, the leader of his once 23-man patrol squad, bloodied and dazed but still in one piece, reassumed command of the situation and his squad, radioed in for additional support and kept the rest of his squad together until he was unwillingly forced by his fellow Marines to step aside and be evacuated to a field hospital.

His squad suffered another roadside bomb attack the previous week with three of his men wounded. Now they number 18 and are without their squad leader.

The mind-set of a Marine is that they will sacrifice themselves for their fellow Marines and even though wounded and taken out of action, they insist on going back in so someone else does not have to be put at risk. One of the Marines from Jeremiah's squad, wounded from the previous week's attack and lying on a stretcher with his leg shattered, insisted on being re-enlisted before being medically evacuated from the field. To read more about this motivating and selfless incident, visit www.marinecorpstimes.com/news/2007/07/Marine_medevaced_reenlistment_070703/.

Jeremiah's two boys (our grandsons) were visiting us last week. They were in the Fourth of July parade in Redstone carrying a banner honoring their father and hero. To all of those who voiced their support that day we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. A special thanks to the young woman who told Tammy that it really hits home when she sees the children and families of military personnel affected by their loved ones' service in Iraq.

Most of us are so far removed from the realities of this war. We go about our daily routine not thinking of the sacrifices made or the lives lost by those serving in the military, not to mention the loss of life of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. During WWII almost every American made sacrifices daily for the war effort whether it was military personnel and their families or ordinary citizens subject to rationing of gas, rubber, shoes, metal, etc. How many millions of Americans supported the war effort through the purchase of war bonds?

Today we are encouraged by our (lack of) leadership to go shopping, keep driving, go on vacation, and otherwise go about our daily lives as if nothing is happening. The richest Americans and corporations are reaping huge windfall tax breaks at a time when they should be making at least some sacrifice. Military contractors are swimming in billions of dollars in profits. Corruption runs rampant. Fascism is rearing its ugly head. Where is the justice and where is the sacrifice?

Although we are very proud of and wholeheartedly support Jeremiah and his dedication to the Marines, we do not support this unjust and senseless war. Please, if you do "support our troops," call or write your congressmen and senators and demand that they stand up to this administration and start bringing our troops home tomorrow, not months or years from now. Every day that we do not act causes more needless deaths of our sons, daughters, fathers, mothers, brothers, and sisters.

You may write to Jeremiah at the following address:
SSgt. Sherman, Jeremiah J
3/1 Lima Co WPNS Unit 40235
FPO AP 96610-0235

Thank you for your time and support.

Roger and Tammy Sherman
Redstone

Ellie