One Day Closer
July 16th, 2007 by Jaclyn Sharratt
If you are following the story of my brother then you are aware that his Article 32 went as well as it could have, given the circumstances. Lt. Col. Ware has recommended to Gen. Mattis to drop the murder charges against Justin. He does not see any relevant evidence against my brother, and acknowledges he was doing his job, a task he was trained to do by the USMC. With this wonderful news, a small burden has been lifted from the shoulders of my family. Although we all have embedded in our minds to not jump ahead or assume anything, I think we all have a newfound glimmer of hope. This euphoric feeling is being enhanced with every email we read, every message we respond to, every encouraging phone call we receive. It can be read about in the papers; listened to on the radio; seen on the television. Most importantly, it is heard in the voices of my family.
The phrase ‘everything happens for reason’ is always pressed on someone when they cannot grasp why a situation or circumstance popped up into their lives and made a mess of things. I learned to stop asking myself this question, realizing it only added to the confusion that currently spins through my thoughts. However, I am a bit suspicious of the odds that the majority of our family has made plans, all at different times, and for various reasons, to return home to Pennsylvania next weekend. Maybe because it is my Mom’s birthday, or we have not seen my brother for a long time… or perhaps since ‘everything happens for a reason.’
I tend to avoid saying my hopes, prayers, or dreams out loud just in case they do not happen; but today I will. I close my eyes and imagine us all sitting out on the back deck, laughing at stories (including my favorite of a five-year-old Justin asking Moms why there are so many dogs out in the pasture… they were really cows), and then the phone rings. The caller will be our attorney, Gary Myers. He begins the conversation saying he has news, and we all gather around the phone, listening with a level of intensity that you can feel. His words will blur, but I manage to decipher Gen. Mattis dropped the charges. That my brother is free. That this nightmare is over. That is the reverie of my family.
Mike Geiger, Col. Ret. USA Says
My son was in Weapons Co., 3/1 , and was in Haditha (at the Dam) Sept-Nov, 2005. He was just outside of Haditha on Nov 7, 2005, when his Humvee hit a land mine and he was medevac’d back to Pendleton. After multiple surgical procedures and a year of rehab he is back with Weapons Co, 3/1, in Anbar Province, serving with the 13th MEU. I emailed him your good news.
At the very least, this whole episode of accusations and investigations has been demoralizing for all service men and women, but especially for the 3/1. My prayer is that your prayers will be answered and this travesty of justice will be recognized for what it is: Political Correctness at its most dangerous.
This country owes Justin a debt it cannot possibly repay. Instead of honoring Justin as the hero he is for risking his life in Fallujah and Haditha, the mainstream media and certain politicians have besmirched his good name and for 18 months has treated him like a criminal.
Please know that many, many people in this country are behind you all the way and are looking, as you are, for the final vindication.
Jul 18th, 2007 at 4:34 am
Christopher M Says
I am very happy to hear the glimmer of hope regarding your brother. I pray he is vindicated. I am glad that the web can help bring his story to light.
I am also very disappointed in all of the politicans who claim to support the troops, but do nothing when the troops really need the support. Even Bush has conviently forgotten about your brother when he got out his veto pen for Libby.
Jul 18th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
Moms Says
Hey there my beautiful, fabulous, wonderful daughter, who is one of the best writers I know. Just think, we will all be together tomorrow night. It will be so good to have you all home. I can’t wait!
Love ya darlin.
Jul 20th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Semper Fi Mom Says
Hi:
What wonderful writing! Reading this made my heart skip a beat! What great expression - a job well done!
God bless all of you!
Jul 21st, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Janelle Says
I am so glad to read this news - it’s a shame that Justin and your family had to go through any of this in the first place. Things that have happened cannot be undone, but I believe at the VERY least, Mr. Murtha owes Justin a personal apology! Congress needs to take a look at reprimanding its members who spout off and publicly humiliate anyone, but especially our brave service members serving in foreign lands. Convicting people without trial is against the American way. I hope one day we see Mr. Murtha put in his place!
Jul 23rd, 2007 at 6:47 pm
Kris Abbruzzi Says
To Justin and your wonderful family,
Please know that you are in my thoughts and my prayers each and every day. I was so thrilled to read about the recommendation to drop the charges against Justin. I just keep praying that justice prevails. God bless you Justin and it would be impossible for me to thank you enough for everything you have done and sacrificed for this country. Stay strong brave warrior, you have the strength, courage, determination and faith to get through this, and you WILL. And god bless you, the entire Sharratt family, for you are ALL American Heroes. So sorry that you had to go through this ordeal.
Jul 24th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
Christopher M Says
I just read the good news that all charges! http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QTJTGG0&show_article=1&catnum=1
Congrats!
Aug 9th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Craig A. Ellett Says
My Friend…
Having spent 6 months in the triangle, and then another further south where it wasn’t so loud, my heart bleeds for your brother.
I know for a fact that we did what ever it took to stay alive. I never questioned the NCO’s or officers I reported to. Didn’t think it was my place as a medic. I just wanted to make sure our guys didn’t get hurt. Or, if they did, I was going to get them out of there ASAP.
I get really mad when accusations fly over our troops. True, or not! The media plays this stuff up and makes it ten times worse than it probably was. They weren’t there, they don’t know.
I don’t know, but I suspect that I would have done exactly what your brother did, what ever that was. Doesn’t matter to me. In fact, when we use to drive down Sportster, folks would run back in to their houses. Which was OK with me.
Hope fully, we’ll see the end of these accusations. I pray that your brother gets through this, as I prayed every time we went outside of the wire.
Respectfully - Craig
Aug 9th, 2007 at 8:10 pm