IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS SITE & SITUATION, BUT QUICK TO JUDGE, PLEASE READ POST: (Right side of this page) written by Mrs. Hatley, IED’s / VBIED’s = WHO PLANTS & DETONATES THEM? //// See “Additional Case Research“ in header of this page, researched and written by Lt. Colonel Bob Weimann U.S. Marine Corps (retired).
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THE FLAWED
DETAINEE CATCH & RELEASE POLICY
U.S. Army Master Sergeant John E. Hatley was sentenced (initially) to Life in prison for the alleged killing of four unidentified insurgents.
OIF -06-08 to Iraq was his 3rd deployment. John was only 6 months shy of retiring, having served his country for almost 20 years with an exemplary military track record and was highly decorated.
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[Yes. There is a book currently in the works.]
Various noteworthy contributors along with soldiers and others are actively contributing to the book content.
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Ladies and Gentlemen,
As reported on CNN: The military released 77,000 of about 87,000 detainees locked up during the Iraq war because there was not enough evidence to hold them.
Anderson Cooper announced on the air following their coverage of our story, which was a 4-part story aired over 4 consecutive nights in Nov 2009, that they (CNN) received an overwhelming response (that they had not seen before) in favor of our 3 soldiers, from their viewers. A 1-hour documentary followed this 4-part story, first aired on CNN in Nov 2009 and then internationally the following week.
* * SEE WHAT CNN’S SPECIAL INVESTIGATIVE UNIT REPORT, ABBIE BOUDEAU POSTED ON JULY 6TH, 2010…………….IN RESPONSE TO AN EMAIL I SENT HER & HER PRODUCER, SCOTT ZAMOST.
http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2010/07/06/imprisoned-soldiers-wife-pleas-for-justice/
* Feel free to leave comments below her article. -Thank you!
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(From a combat peer that served with John Hatley……….)
Please read the compelling excerpt (below) from the clemency letter that First Sergeant Todd Carlsrud wrote where he discusses the DHAA (Detainee Holding Area Annex) in length. Note the frustration/complexity that soldiers experience with the DHAA:
[How do you fight the situation of getting shot and blown up on a daily basis and then be forced to release the man who killed one of your soldiers? You try to do the right thing and arrest the individuals responsible for these attacks, knowing they will kill another soldier tomorrow. How do you combat that threat?] – First Sergeant Todd Carlsrud / 172nd Brigade Combat Team
*To read compelling letter in it’s entirety, see “Letters from soldiers” or ”Case Details” in header at top of this page.*
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“KILLINGS AT THE CANAL – MURDER OR BATTLEFIELD JUSTICE”
See extensive coverage by CNN’s Anderson Cooper and CNN’s 1-hour Documentary on our story. Reporting by CNN’s Abbie Boudreau investigative reporter & Special Investigatives Unit Producer, Scott Zamost. (Aired Internationally back in Nov 2009).
~WANT TO KNOW MORE & SEE FOR YOURSELF?~
(TO SEE THE ANDERSON COOPER 360 – COMPLETE COVERAGE WHICH WAS AIRED FOR 4 – CONSECUTIVE NIGHTS, FOLLOWED BY THE 5TH DAY BEING THE 1-HOUR DOCUMENTARY // SEE “MEDIA COVERAGE” AT TOP OF THIS WEBSITE.)
COME SEE WHAT CNN UNCOVERED.
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“IMPRISONED FOR SAVING AMERICAN LIVES”
On (Monday) Feb 22, 2010
See David Horowitz’s “Front Page Magazine” with our story on the front cover, written by Mr. John Work: http://frontpagemag.com/2010/02/22/imprisoned-for-killing-terrorists-in-iraq-2/#idc-cover
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YOUR QUESTION:
WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE FLAWED – DETAINEE CATCH & RELEASE POLICY AND ALSO GET WORD OUT ABOUT THIS AMERICAN POW NAMED JOHN HATLEY?
ANSWER: ORDER AN AUTO MAGNET AND PLACE ON THE REAR OR SIDE OF YOUR VEHICLE.
$60.00 for a pair OR $30.00 for one
2 sizes to choose from: 20″ x 24″ OR 20″ x 20″ / flexible magnetized, high quality product
by: B&B SIGNS / Groesbeck, Tx in support of a hero, John Hatley
Email: kimcheepink@yahoo.com for orders and questions
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WHAT ELSE CAN I DO TO HELP?
ANSWER: Please click on [Additional Case Research] in the header
of this page and/or click on [Contact] in header.
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If you would like to make a donation by U.S. Mail, or (gifts) to the “John Hatley – Legal Defense Fund”, please see header of page. “Thank you for your help.” – Mrs. Hatley
Feel free to leave comments below.
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These insurgents well anyone in combat or within proximity of combat should their right to life does not consist of a life not to be killed, but not to be killed unjustly. So by being in proximity of a known combat zone they are willingly putting their life in danger. There should not be cases like this against soldiers that are trying to protect themselves. I don’t want to rant but there is in no way that the taliban will win, god is on our side and as long as we praise god with our actions and words we shalt not fail, god bless america. (I am using the word god to mean the diety that is the alpha and the omega, or the singular encompassment of everything)
The truth will be come out soon,hang in there.
Kim,
I truly admire your strength and courage. It is brave soldiers like U.S. Army Master Sergeant John E. Hatley who put their lives on the line every day so that me and my family can be safe. This is “WAR” and the enemies don’t play by the same rule book but yet our soldiers are expected to still get the job done. I do not question how they get it done! If something goes wrong (we all know things go wrong during war), and it comes down to “us” or “them”… then it’s got to be them. Otherwise this is not war; it’s just an ongoing suicide mission for our troops. The definition of a “HERO” is: a man of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his brave deeds and noble qualities. Stop convicting our heroes…
Signed S. Peterson
**Wife of a former Marine
**Daughter of a former Marine
“Once a Marine, always a Marine… semper fi”
I was in Beirut in 1983 the r.o.e have not changed since then are leadership would rather save their face in front of the world than save one person in combat.
you are truly missed top! I still remember you taking pride in knowing tanks and how they operate so when we went into our promotion boards you can school us on our tanks lol.. I served with john in OIF 2 and OIF 06-08 and never met a finer NCO i remember talking to him in the chow hall on FOB falcon right before my SSG promotion board saying i hop you guys know alot about bikes!! he had just mentioned kim getting him a fatboy!! you will pull through this john!!!
Thank the Lord for U.S. soldiers who will put themselves in the heat of battle to keep the rest of us safe.
These men are being punished for taking an unpopular action in an unpopular war. That does not equate a crime.
Blessings to them and their families for their sacrifice.
These soldiers should not be punished. They were in a very dangerous place and fighting to keep us save and willing to give their lives for us, americans.
They did what they had to in order to protect us. The ones they killed were criminals not these soldiers.
Please set them free so they can have a decent life with their families who need them. They have been in enough hell. They have far and beyond earned their freedom.
I hope that they can soon be reunited with their families.
Everyone I know that knows of John’s plight agrees; the guy’s a hero and UNDOUBTEDLY saved countless lives by terminating the enemy combatants!!!
Good Man. Bad Rap. Truth will prevail.
Free these men.. They are soldiers
What can I say,I am dumb founded,we train a soilder to serve and protect and than when they do their job ,the government sends our Warriors to prison.NO,they should of given the 1st SGT a medal for doing what he was trained to do.
I’m a Veteran and if faced with this I know I would of done the same,and many other Veterans would of also.
” I the REAL AMERICAN’S eyes the 1st SGT is a HERO.”
HOOAH 1st SGT., I’d follow you anywhere.
Dear Mrs. Hatley and 1sg John, after reading all the other comments, there is little more that I can add except to say that as a former 1sg and retired Msg I can fully sympathize with you and your family. I pray God will be ever with you all. Keep your eyes and thoughts on Him constantly for there is none other we can trust or rely on.
May God keep you and bless you.
Msg (ret) and mrs. James Anderson
Dearest Kim and 1SGT, Our prayers are with you and your family as you endure this injustice which has been put on you by no doubt worthless brass and wannabe lawyers who refuse to stand up for our warriors, many in the government and the pentagon would gladly sell us down the river to save their own skin. Warriors are only wanted when the worst happens, as planes sail into buildings, sadly our nation has largely forgotten 9/11, and we are no longer needed. I have never been a skillful enough soldier to seriously try to become a Ranger, but I know a few and have met many. The average American has no clue what it takes to become a Ranger or SF, so they cannot comprehend the loss of experience and knowledge it means to loose even one. I am sad that our Nation has fallen to this level, I can only hope and pray that the truth will prevail and justice will be done. Sgt James Anderson
They can through this WARRIOR in prison for doing the job he was trained for,but they can do NOTHING to this president for impersonating an AMERICAN.Where the hell are all the AMERICANS in Congress that should be unlocking the door for him instead of sucking up to OBUMMER.I AM APAULED at this,I’m a VETERAN and this is just not right.Come on AMERICA lets help get him out and to his family!
This is so wrong. Your husband is a hero. Will do everything i can to get this to as many people as possible. Our prayers r with you
I first met 1sgt Hatley in april 2006. I was in bravo 1-18 at the time. I’d been in for about 6 or 7 months. I was off on a bad start thus far. I hated life and my choice about joining the army. However, that changed when i was informed that i was being moved to Alpha co. 1sgt hatley chose me to be in his company the wolfpack. He always took good care of us. I served with him during OIF 06-08. I never saw a better leader than him. If it wasn’t for him bravo co would have left me behind on rear Detactment. I don’t care what he did. To me he was the best 1sgt i ever had. The time i served under him was the best time i had in the army. thanks for everything 1sgt hatley.
Thank You Sir for your service to our great country. My prayers are with you and yours. Semper Fi!
To John Hatley,
Although we haven’t talked in 18 years, I still consider you my brother. I was your team leader in desert storm and we spent countless hours out in the desert just chatting about everything and nothing. Not to mention our time in Panama and numerous other deployments. I know you very well, and I also know that you are not a murderer. You are the guy that would give a buddy the shirt off of your back. You have been let down by your country and this is a travesty. They send us out to do their bidding and then in order to score some political points with the enemy they destroy an American Hero with no conscience. I found out about you when Altizer told Roth and then Roth called me. I will call who I can and write the letters that might matter. Hang in there John, we’re thinking about you.
Your Brother,
David Schaum
WE NEED TO THANK HIM, thank him and all our military for doing what they VOLUNTEERED and bravely signed up to do.
It is an outrage that our country has become so concerned about the enemy that our brave men and women are tried for doing what they were so well taught to do. I’d like to see any of that Cowardly Senate and Congress, with the exception of a very few, be able to face down the enemy and not run. Or in the case of some, bend over and take it, which it seems is what they want our men and women to do.
This man, and so many others, have stellar careers, ever stop and ask why? They did without asking what they were suppose to do.We owe them our Freedom, the fact that we speak English, and the best, that we don’t have to bow down 5 or 6 times a day to a sound.
Freedom is not nor has it ever been Free.
Courts and Congress wake up or for goodness sakes SHUT UP!
Ooh Rah from this Marine/Blue Star set of Parents.
Thank you sir for the sacrafices you and your family have made for our country. We will stand beside you.
I was under 1sg Hatley in OIF 2 04-05. He was always there for his soldiers, a father figure for myself and always putting a hand out and helping every soldier that came across his path. I have had alot of 1sg’s from then till now. To this day, he is still the greatest 1sg i have ever known. Soldiers always came first. His leadership was outstanding. This man is why i still serve today. When i was a private I told myself i wanted to be just like him, because of the way the soldiers looked up to him and followed him. I would follow Hatley anywhere, even if i knew it was a suicide mission i would be behind him 100 percent. I ran into 1sg Hatley a lot in 06-08 deployment at the GREEN ZONE (cash) It was never under good circumstances when we ran into each other because we were medivacing wounded soldiers. I lost 3 members of my platoon and 1sg hatley just lost SSG Soto. The last time i ran into him it was very sad since one of my platoon members served under 1sg as well SSG Hamlin, Christopher. We talked about what was going on with the Catch and Release. It was a sad day why we ran into each other, but at the same time it was nice to see this American Hero. He gave me strength just talking to him for an hour or so and the boys from 1-18 that used to be my family, we shook hands and hugged and once back out, we all went in different locations across baghdad to hunt the terriosts down. They made a terrible mistake putting away that Hero. They took out a vital player in our Army today. He was a great Leader and a Dear friend to me and many others….
Even as a young pv2 and pfc I saw 1sg Hatley around all the time. The stories his soldiers told were numerous and courageous. You could tell by the way many of them acted that they respected him and above all that he constantly took care of them. Constantly strived to bring out the best in anybody. It is leadership like this that brings us lower enlisted home and back to our families. Even while we were in baghdad pulling tower guard there were several times we were told not to shoot at hostile targets. Even me seeing 2 mortar tubes go off and land right behind our tower I was still told not to fire. What would any man do in that situation. I saw several soldiers die in front of me, sgt gonzales, spc flores, I even saw another soldier have shrapnel go through his neck. I heard of other soldier I knew dieing in other parts of baghdad specifically Bravo company 1-77. In our motorpool we were mortared daily at a minimum of 6 mortars each round. we had rockets land outside or barracks and yet we were told not to fire upon certain individuals who violated the ROE that was set in place in kuwait and even further down the line in Iraq. We had majors paying off higher officials to keep socialist groups from attacking us, I heard of this several times. Our government instead of wanting to lay down what was right wanted to pay people off. Even at times they wanted to screw soldiers over and still do. I signed up to fight for my country and to serve with and under the best, yet we have our politicians locking people up for doing the right thing. It truly is a shame as to what they did to these boys especially when they brought back hundreds of other soldiers whom wouldnt be here today if it was for soldiers like these individuals who stand out above the face of duty.
I served under 1SG Hatley during the OIF 06-08 deployment. I was his gunner for those first few horrific months in Bagdad. There are no words that can describe how great a 1SG that Hatley was (he always will be 1SG to me). He taught he so much that I will always remember. But there was one thing that he did that always stuck out to me. He was always working for his soldiers. He was always talking to someone about getting more of this asset and going to this place to gain access to that asset. He was always working to make sure that his soldiers had what they needed to fight their way through the streets of Bagdad. He was always working. He never took a break. The lives and safety of his soldiers were always on his mind.
What he taught me, I am now teaching my soldiers: how to draw fire, how to be brave while terrified, how to remain calm when anxious. But the biggest thing of all is, how to love your brothers and lay down your life for them. It is truly disgraceful how our government has taken a man who served his country faithfully for 19 years and turned him into an example of political correctness.
It was extremely frustrating to see the insurgent that we arrested several weeks ago back out on the street shooting at us again. There comes a breaking point in every mans mind where we say “enough is enough! I am going to do something about this.” I do not know what happened on that day in Bagdad but whatever happened brought me home to love my wife again, see my brother (who is a marine) again, and talk once more face to face with my mother.
To those who gave this man his sentence: 1SG Hatley brought me home. What if I was your son?
To 1SG Hatley: Id still follow you into hell!
I hate to think of how many soldiers we have lost because 1SG Hatley’s outstanding mentoring and leadership skills has been locked up behind PRISON bars. There is no telling how many soldiers life’s we could have saved if 1SG was still doing his job, and that job is… “TAKING CARE of SOLDIERS”!!! Now, I am going to ask a question to “All of Our Senior Leaders from the Top-Down” ???? How many could we have saved? ????
Kim,
I heard about this awhile ago and was in disbelief. I am sorry that you are going through this. If it is any consolation you are doing great things for the soldiers, and you are a strong women. It takes a strong woman to be a Soldiers wife, I think that’s why they pick us.
Tony spoke highly of John whenever his name came up, and was appreciative when another soldier made racial comments to Tony while we were out in Germany one night, when John found out he handled it appropriately and professionally.
Again I wish you the Best of luck and I hope that you always have a strong support system.
CPT Palermo, K.
Dagger Brigade 05-07
I’m kind of mixed on the situation. I served with SSG Hatley in the wolf pack. I pray for him and his family. People who have never been in the military don’t understand what we go or went though. There are points were we have to decide and live with that choice. Were they wrong or right doesn’t matter. Was it effective or ineffective should be the question! To me it was effective because you don’t have to worry about those people killing any more Americans. We as soldiers are trained to KILL. Nothing else. Just for this reason right here. So you don’t have to worry about letting people go and they come back to kill you.
I was watching Private Ryan the other day with my girl they asked why is the guy letting his friends get killed? I said he was scared. Then they said but the people killing all the soldiers would come back and kill him too. The point of that is you shoot to kill. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Kim ,
I keep you and John in my prayers daily. I do not know if you guys remember me or not I was in 3rd herd @ A co 1/5. SSG Hatley (at the time) was one of the Squad Leaders for 2nd Platoon. He always took the time to mentor soldiers regardless of whether they were in his platoon or not. I can honestly say he was one of my biggest inspirations while I was in the military. John always had time for soldiers. He on several occasions pulled me aside and squared me away or gave me advice that was instrumental to my succeeding at being a soldier. He was one of the toughest and most hardcore NCO’s I ever had the privilege of working for or with.
I couldnt believe the allegations and bullshit I heard when the story first surfaced. John is an american hero. So what if there is even a remoteness of truth to these allegations. If he did it , he saved lives. American lives. You think the Hadji fanatic is sitting out there following an ROE or worrying about the damn Geneva Convention?
I say allegations because I really dont believe he did what he is accused of. Fact: 1SG Hatley is one of the most hard core soldiers you will ever meet. Fact: he was always hard on troops because he knew it would save lives. Fact: He taught soldiers values like duty honor mission camaraderie motivation and ethics long before it was some ploy the Army cooked up for recruiting. He did this because that was the backbone of what he believed in as a soldier.
Fact: John Hatley is a hero and a patriot and 99 percent of americans are not worthy enough to take shelter from the heat in his shadow on a summer day. If any of you ever knew John then you would know he is basically Captain America.
I worked with John for three years. He was a model soldier, an exemplary NCO and a loving husband. I pray that Kim and John remain strong. That being said “Hey Two Scoops…Keep your head up and remember none of those fucks are worth a shot at the title!”
God bless you guys.
Kim,
I am Kelly and Darin’s niece. Kelly shared you story with me and my heart is breaking for you and your husband. Your family will be in my prayers and I will share this on my FB page as well. Keep fighting and have faith.
Kristen Hall
John is, and will remain, a true warrior. He maintains his professionalism and integrity in the environment which he has been placed. If I had a son or daughter in the military, I would want him to mentor them as he has others for the past 19+ years. When the dust settles, John will be free to rejoin his family, friends and community……where he belongs!
You have valid points. But you are forgetting, the real question: should those who live by the sword die by the same sword that was given to them in which to bring justice and make decisions with?
Even in the Bible (which I actually read this in church today), reads this:
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
(Jesus – Matthew 10:34)
I am not an ultra religious person, but I think this statement has very valid points as well.
I advise you only the following: do not be so quick to judge the actions of other, when you have never been in the exact same situation, or anything close to that of Baghdad in the Spring of 2007. For you shall probably never have experienced the bloodshed that my brothers have.
Kim keep up the fight for John. I am from the Vietnam era so I know how all this works. If there is Justice in this World John will be Home. Hang Tough.
Death from above.
Kim,
I am sorry for what is happening to John, You and your family. I want the war to be won, and the way you do that is break things and kill people. Unfortunately, the US Policy has been from the start to “Break things, but try not to kill anyone”. Early in the war, the planes and helicopters would allow crews to escape from tanks and other equipment, then destroy the equipment. That just allows the fighter to come back and fight with an IED, RPG or AK, another day. The Catch and Release policy is the same. To win a War, you must kill so many of the enemy, that they want to stop. That is how you win wars. Also there are not as many “Inocent Civilians” as were are being told about. In the US Military, we have Cooks, Doctors, Nurses, Supply Clercks..all are in the military and in uniform. Down Range the wives and childeren do these jobs, therefore they are “Enemy Combatants” and you must kill them all.
Hang in there, my prayers are with you.
Van
I´m a SGM DSO/SF for Nato and have now 25 TIS.
There are some questions we have to think of:
For what have we been trained? What is our mission? and who gives us our orders? We or they should think about this. I´ve been in many delicate missions. If somebody asks, we´ve never been there. We lost also soldiers, brothers and who cares? I agree, like others said, have those who judge them ever been in war/mission or have they served their country? NEVER! I´m not just fighting for my country, I fight with NATO and all his partners.
John became one of my best friends and he is an experienced and best NCO´s I know. I´m very thankful to know John and have him as a true friend and no matter what I would fight on his side.
Any time, any where, worldwide
God bless you, you are in my prayers
“Shit happens!” When will they ever learn….?
My heart goes out to all 3 men and their families. I will join your FB so I can keep up with things, and I will repost. My son is a Marine and I myself know how much service men and women give up to serve their country, and they do it willingly. Let us support them.
Now that’s a raw deal – he deserves a medal not a life time lock-up……..
With prayers the truth will out………
I have known Kim and John for several years. I served with the 18th Infantry in Vietnam and have visited the unit in Germany several times to support the troops during this current war. John is a fine man, soldier and husband/father. I respect his judgment as a leader under the stress of combat. What ever occurred during that operation needs to be fully investigated. I have experienced war and am familiar with the choices soldiers must make to safe-guard the lives of their troops. My prayers and moral support are with all of these men and theirs families. May justice be done.
Wes Geary Darkness19
this man stood up for all of us and we all now need to stand up for him!!!!!!!!!!! send this to everyone and contact officals to let them know we are not going to accept this kind of action toward a hero!
keep fighting and we are figthing we you!
you and your family are in our prayers
karle and betty maye
I have 5,000 ‘friends’ on my Facebook page . I am posting this and feel free to visit my page anytime to post news or appeal to my conservative friends . Please tell John that this former Canadian Sergeant feels immense sadness for this deplorable situation .
If you have a facebook page please post it, if not, please make one under causes then link back here.
We need to help your husband the best way that we can which is getting the public informed.
I am spreading the word. This outrage can not stand.
He defended us, we need to defend him.
He fought for us and we will damn sure fight for him now.
Bob
New York
Having been falsely charged, convicted sentenced and fired as an LAPD officer during the 1990s, I have an idea of what these good men and their families are now enduring. Fortunately for me, appellate courts reversed my conviction and cited the judge and prosecutor for misconduct. Although I suffered the loss of my marriage, financial hardship and bankruptcy, I was lucky compared to Sgt. Hatley and others who were similarly charged, convicted, sentenced and incarcerated.
Nevertheless, this was only a matter of time before those who criminally charged cops who do their jobs redirect their efforts to servicemen and women who risk their lives each day on behalf of the USA and the contries we now serve in.
War is ugly and mistakes are made in war. It is one thing to punish those who make mistakes and quite another to send them to prison after they have served honorably shocks the consiousness of America. If someone is deemed unfit to wear the uniform or to receive a deserved pension then do that. Incarceration, however, seems unusual and cruel – not just to those who endure that but also their families and the families of those who now serve and their supporters.
War may be hell, but punishing those who served seems much more tragic.
Clark Baker
USMC (1975-1981)
Mrs. Hatley,
Our hearts and prayers are with you, your husband and your family. Your husband is nothing short of a hero, doing what must be done so that sniveling cowards can second guess his methods. I challenge any man who has not served our country and experienced combat to shut up about this until they man up enough to go themselves. Your husband deserves a medal for doing what needed to be done. Many times what must be done is not the easy path and I thank God for men like your husband who are willing to do the terrible things that must be done to keep our country safe. Having spent 10 years in the Airborne Infantry myself, your husband’s character is obvious from the statements here by those who served with him. It’s sad to see some of these negative posts and I wonder why these people who hate America so much decide to stay here. Stay strong and know that many are praying for you.
agreed. great post!
thanks for all you do Kim. Wolfpack!
I agree we should never have sent soldiers over there. We could have taken care of things from the air or just let them alone to fight and kill each other.
The real enemy is right here in our country. What a time to have a Muslim President!
No Birth Certificate, seal records!
I meant to say SEALED RECORDS. WE KNOW NOTHING ABOUT THIS MAN AND HE IS OUR PRESIDENT. WHY DID HE SPEND OVER ONE MILLION $ TO FIGHT THE BIRTH ISSUE?
As a commissioned officer, I am not at liberty to say whether or not I agree or not agree with any commander-in-chief. Former Presidents Clinton, Bush, and now President Obama all fall (or have fallen) under this category.
With that said, I do not agree with your post. I’m not saying that we should have never sent Soldiers and Marines over to Iraq. We would have most likely deployed to Iraq in the near future anyway. We attempted to proactively deal with a threat and establish a democracy in a country that divides the two main Muslim Sects in the Arab world. With a stabble government, it would mitigate future threats from terrorism against our country. That is the bottom line, and few so many people seem to miss this point.
I do however believe that we went in there unprepared for an insurgency, and at the wrong time (with operations in Afghanistan). This has nearly broken our military and and diminished our chances of leaving successfully in a reasonable amount of time. We also pushed our troops to the point that we are unable to react to another foreign threat, gambling with a dangerous potential threat.
Secondly, you will never fight and win a conflict with drones and air strikes. It is impossible. Read a little on the history of warfare and counterinsurgency. The infantry will never be replaced and it is absolutely critical to have Soldier on the ground in order to fight and win battles, whether they are conventional or counterinsurgencies. The Infantry Soldier is the most important piece to all of this, everyone else just supports their operations.
Thirdy, if you believe that the enemy is our own country, then you should either proactively try to fix it or move out. I do not believe that the enemy is our own country, hence why I serve the government, their strategic interests of fighting terrorism, and most important, the people. For Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines to be viewed in any other way is a travesty. I will hold back the rest of my words here. I signed my life away in order to protect this country. Our military is the policy executors, not the policy makers.
Finally, although our President is the son of a Muslim father, he is clearly a Christian. He has gone to church the majority of his life and was primarily raised by his mother on U.S. territory. He was since provided a Birth Certificate (whether or not it was sealed), and most importantly, our electoral system voted him in office.
If you don’t agree with who voted him in office, then I would advise you to vote those members out of office. The President is only the Executive Branch. The Legislative Branch of our government is the reason that we are in Iraq, all 97 out of 100 of our Senators in 2003. And oddly enough, then, Senator Obama was one of those three who did not vote for the war; do not forget that.
Although you may be a right-wing conservative, does not mean that I am. I appreciate your support for John Hatley, but do not attempt to make this a pro-conservative forum. This is a pro-American forum and we need everyone’s support. These are the real people that need our help, and we ought not to turn the average American away.
Thank you for supporting his cause.
Cheers.
i support our soldiers TOTALLY
our “christian” president just took a muslim as a prayer partner. you figure.
I served 24 months directly working with MSG Hatley. He is the single most significantly important person in my mentorship and person that I looked up to while I was a newly commissioned officer. Through my experiences and through directly watching his actions, I can honestly say that he loved and cared about his Soldiers more than he cared about himself. He is directly responsible for bringing home every last one his Soldiers that made it through the chaos that we experienced alive. He is barnone most professional NCO that I have ever served with.
Thank you for what you are setting forth to do. By being a catalyst in overturning a flawed policy that the U.S. has put in place that has risked the lives of our Soldiers that were (and still are) defending our country and court martialed numerous heroes and patriots for actions in which the members of the board and prosecution had never experienced themselves, in a conflict that we received little support from our government with. We (the U.S. combat ground forces) were handed a steaming pile of crap and were asked to fix it with minimal support and guidance from our government. With policies, such as the aforementioned, in place, we are put in difficult situations, all of which we made to act in appropriately and decisively. We willingly volunteered to support and serve our government and defend our citizens and it irks me to feel that the government and its citizens do not support its Soldiers and their decisions in which they entrusted them to carry out.
Keep fighting and never give up our noble battle. You have more support than you will ever know.
Some of you may not like what I am about to say but then the truth is the truth. These people (Military) are our brothers, sisters, sons and daughters who were thrown into this war on a lie to begin with (remember the WMD that were never found). They were trained to fight and kill or be killed, they were not trained to be cops. How many of our kids have come back in coffins, and for what?? The only people who have benefited from this unjust war is the people making money on the military gear being used from the jet fighters to the ammo these guys used to stay alive. How can anyone who has never been in thier position judge them? John is a hero and deserves to be with his family.
I agree 1000%. We never should have wasted our Gladiators over in that shithole. Giving those people democracy is like polishing a turd, you don’t have much to work with.
They hijacked our airplanes and flew them into the twin towers, we should have just dropped the H-Bomb on them, end of story, and called it even.
It’s not like any people would have been killed or anything.
I totally agree with your statement…. I think we should have just dropped a nice one on them and ended it all.. we would have never been over there for as long as we were and wouldnt have lost all of the soldiers that we did…NOTE TO OBAMA, “Charity starts at home so dont screw up like Bush did and take care of whats ours”
1ST Sgt, stat tough for you and your family. As a former 1-18 veteran myself I know personally the Bull that we have to face on a daily basis in combat. I am a wounded warrior who supports you and your crew all the way. It is alright for these people that we have to go in and defend to kill our brothers and sisters in arms and display their battered and broken bodies like they are slabs of meat but we have to follow our ROE’s and treat them with absolute kindness. Don’t give up the fight TOP. Some of us here at home who know remember 09/11 and will never forget that they attacked us on our own soil and that we should have hit them with every bit of arsonal that we had at our disposal. The old saying that goes kill em all let God sort it out has no meaning here because they don’t beleive in God. Your family needs you at home and I wish that I had had the pleasure of serving by your side. It is sad that you are now a POW of our own country. For all of these people who are willing to judge us for what we do in the military, I say grow some, put on a uniform, grab a weapon and put yourself into the forfront of Hell as we have done in the infantry and then see what your view is of our heros that serve. I guarantee your mindset will change. First Sgt Hatley should be given a medal and have his so called charges deleted and either returned to duty with full combat honors and rank, all moneys due paid in full, and sent home to be with his family. He is a hero who gave of himself to defend the freedoms that we all enjoy and should be set free immediatly. This case is a travesty of justice.
AMEN Robert. I served in Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom. First Sergeant John Hatley is a soldier I would be proud to serve with. I would welcome you in my door any day. Good luck TOP, and God Bless you. Hold your head up, and let the medals glisten off your chin as you hold it high. You deserve the opportunity to be remembered and looked up to as a VFW member in these United States.
I had the honor of visiting with John Hatley last Saturday along with Kim and one of John’s former COs. His attitude and demeanor was that of a professional soldier and true American patriot. I salute him as a Brother of the Band and embrace him as a loyal keeper of our Constitution.
I’m glad to see you taking an interest and doing what you can to help. True Americans like John Hatley need all the help they can get right now.
We sure don’t have any friends in the White House
Dear Kim,
I do not know enough about your situation to judge anything but I am so grateful to your husband and son and others like them that serve so selflessly for our freedom. I do believe that most people would find it hard to understand without more information that is why I urge you or your husband to write a book. Fill it with as many facts as possible and that is the only way for people to know what is really happening. My prayer is that right will prevail. All my best, Dixie
Stay tough, TOP. The night before I was Commissioned in November, 1966, our 1st. Sgt. gave us all some great advice. He said “Listen to and take the advice of your 1st Sgt. Let him run your unit and do what needs to be done and you and your men will come home alive.”
When I got to my first assignment, as a young (19), green 2LT., my CO – an old LTC about to retire, had nothing but praise and admiration for his NCO team. In his words, “GOD never made anything finer than an NCO.”
Don’t let the bastards win, TOP. A lot of us old Soldiers are behind you. May God stay by your side and in your heart and watch over your family while you fight this battle. You and your family are, and will remain, in my prayers.
P. Steward,
Captain (former)
Combat Engineer
U.S. Army – 1966 – 1970
I know John from when he was a civilian in public school. He is a good boy and a good christian. He had to have weighed the consequences of this act and to have prayed about it before hand. I think God led him to his decision and pray that God will get him through it. I hope you have kept your faith. I know you will be free some day soon.
Wanda
To SSGBULL
In closing you said, “I really wonder about our leadership sometimes.”
I don’t wonder at all. I fully understand our leadership. It can be summed up in 4 words. They are:
THE JIG IS UP
I am hoping this damn mess with those 3 SEALs might help the cause by shedding some light on this stupidity.
I really wonder about our leadership sometimes.
Kim,
I want to let you know that there is not a day that goes by that we do not think of Michael, Joseph, you and John and the families. I want to say thank you for being so strong. You blow my mind away and Josh thinks the world of you and John. John was a father to my husband! Because of your husband, I got my husband home safe and so did many other mothers, wives, aunts, dads, brothers…… and I thank him every day of my life. We tried so hard to not read the comments after the CNN special. I have to understand that people are different. Tonight was the first night I read some of the comments. I’m blown away!
I know in my heart that they will all return home soon. I pray for it every day. We love you Kim and hope to hear from you soon!
What does Obama and Hillary have to say about this? BO probably would say let’s have a beer.
Hillary, secretary of state, is in a world of her own. Better to ask what Bill would do.
The government is a total cluster-#@!$%.
MSGT JOHN HATLEY, I am with you brother. I will keep you in my prayers and I know God is listening, He will not let you down nor will I brother. I have your back John. God Bless and Thank You Sir for your service to our nation. The American people will not let you down sir.
First of all I was never in the service because I was 4-F. With that out of the way I fail to understand why U.S. Army Master Sergeant John E. Hatley is in prison.
The purpose of war is to kill your enemies, is it not? It seems to me he did his job well.
To which I might add so what if they were civilians, women, or children. The terrorists who flew the airplanes into the twin towers were children at one time, were they not? They all had mothers, did they not?
In summation the American people as a whole are just too damm soft lead by that master wimp Prez Obama. He is a disgrace to all America has been and stood for in the past.
If we had a real leader like Teddy or Harry this so called war would have been over about 24 hours after it started and none of our troops would be over there getting shot at and killed.
In closing good luck to Sergeant Hatley and I hope it all works out.
Good luck with all that is thrown at you John. The free insurgents are a threat to any living human. If we can live in peace as two different cultures, then we win. I see no way of living side by side with these people. You deserve the freedom you have chosen to fight for.
I hope the next 30,000 soldiers are allowed to do the job we were sent to do from the start. You are an inspiration, and I hope the ignorance ends soon, allowing you the freedom you have earned as an American Soldier.
As a member of the VFW Post 1935, I salute you.
I have known John Hatley my entire career in the Army, I served in his unit for 8 years and have never met a more determined leader like him. He did what needed to be done in order to protect his men. It is part of the creed that we NCO’s live by!! How can someone judge him for his actions when they have never been in his position, to watch your men die and the culprits be released, constantly because of a technicality. This nation has become so politically correct that we treat our enemies with more respect than our soldiers. We need to get our priorities straight and fight for these men who made a hard choice under the stress of war in order to protect their men. I am worried for us as a nation when I see what we are becoming.
The sad truth is, the vast majority of the people living “Over There” do think that the 911 terrorist are heroes.Mr. Hatley & the other 2 men are HEROES & should be pardoned & given their rank & all that it entitles back.
I am a totally disabled VietNam Vet of 62 years. I thought we would never see another VN, but we are….. and much, much worse than Nam ever was. Now, like then, we have shiny pant politicians, politically correct senior officers and a legal system that is politically motivated micro-managing this conflict. Lust for money and greed for power is the poison.
The examples of this are as plain as the nose on your face; The National Guard officer who fired his pistol into the clearing barrel to scare the prisoner into revealing info that saved 17 men from an ambush was tossed out of the Army. The Guard woman who was chastised for the Abu Gharab show… The over running of the base in Afgh. near the Paki. border because help never came, this John Hatley affair etc. etc.
Now, like in VN the commie bastards in DC won’t allow our men and women fight the war and get it over with…. wham bam and come home….
It won’t be long and all this country was, stood for and blood shed for, will be a thing of the past. I am heartsick for these brave men in prison and just as sick to see the country turn socialist and be controlled by an elite few. The economy is all but trashed, the president can’t make a decision on Afgh. for 3 months !! We have 30 million people out of work, 20 million that have lost homes, etc. There are terrorists groups all over the mainland US, more people are employed with the government than ever before, being controlled by food and employment.
The last big question is will our Military men and women turn against the American people when ordered to do so by the socialist government. !! When/If WE, THE PEOPLE fight to take back control of the country, will we fighting against each other, OR with each other… Sadly, I am not sure.
IF the American public sheds their yellow streak, reinstalls their backbone and forces the release of our John Hatley’s that are many, then there is a chance we can return to the Constitution of the United States and the Bill or Rights before we are completely dominated.
The clock is ticking !!
Broken Hearted American
God Bless You Sir…Iit couldn’t be said any better and I am ashamed of the way our government treats our brave men and women. We now have some 3 or 4 enlisted in the Navy that stand to lose their rank and face time in prison for “socking” a known terriorist. God forbid we “hurt” that sweet little guy, and God help us all. I feel we are on our way out.
Another Broken Hearted American
You have said it the way it is…..I only wished more people would stand up and do what many have been talking about….Stand up for what is right ….and stand up for those who protected our freedoms! May God have mercy on us and give us strength to overcome the evil that penetrates our blessed country.
Wolfpac,
no one came forwand to identify the insurgents. They’re loved ones should be crying out. Who’s crying foul?
Poor justice for justice. I hope there time is quick.
Agreed! Watch your back. Your brothers died for you in vain Cunningham. I would die for mine, they for me. Cunningham you are alone and without honor.
I would like to personaly say I served with all of these men who are accused of this hanious crime. 1st SGT hatley is the best man I have ever known. We all remember the night it happened. The individuals that did die deserved it. For the ones who want to say stupid things. Imagine watching 2 of your best friends getting blown up right in front of your eyes. Then to arrest them and they get released you would have done the same thing. SO they are very justified….
SPC SMITH DUSITN, J
John and every other American soldier were trained and sent away from home and into a strange land to neutralize the threat of terror in the world. Like a real man ,John followed the calling of his country. As for any comments on how legal or illegal the war is can be sumed up in one statement.Any action taken to prevent another terrorist like 911 is legal. I appreciate men like John everyday for the sacrafices that they have made to perserve each and every priviledge that I have in these great UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
I am outraged that our American Soldiers are less important than our enemies. They are trying to do a job with their hands tied behind their backs and this has to stop!! Let our soldiers do their jobs and get these men released!! I salute their bravery and would have done the same if I were in that position. My prayers are with all of the families and I hope they are reunited with their loved ones very soon.
God Bless You All
An illegal war Robert? How the hell is this an illegal war? We declared war in Iraq and are currently fighting an insurgency there too cowardly to stand up and fight us traditionally but willing to take the lives of hundreds of innocent people if there is a possibility of killing one soldier. Here’s a good question: Have you EVER been in a combat situation? I assume you haven’t because the only people that say these types of things are the people too cowardly to fight for freedom and their beliefs and for all the assholes that make these types of comments. I spent 15 months in Iraq in ’05 and ’06 in Fallujah and Ramadi and I’m going to tell you that you have no idea how stressful real combat is and how painful our government and people like you are making it for us. We fight in the streets every day, most of the time losing more than we gain because of our ridiculous rules and guidelines that allow for them to be the aggressors. You have no idea the stress and anguish that all of these men were dealing with. If 70 years ago, our government and the citizens of this country were as weak minded, peace oriented and cowardly as they are today, we’d be Japanese or German. What these men did or didn’t do in that combat situation is irrelavant. If they did not do it, they shouldn’t be in prison. If they did do it, they eliminated an enemy combatant and probably saved American lives in the process. If you have a problem with how our soldiers operate, go over to Iraq and police them. I’m not opting for the overused phrase “If you don’t stand in front of them, stand behind them”. I’m simply saying, go police our soldiers. Make sure they are doing the right thing. I’m sure the Iraqi people would love to have you there and would treat you exceptionally well. You’d be dead within 6 hours but you’d sure as hell understand that the people that we are dealing with over there, and you’re defending, are definitely not innocent people. The reason we still stand is because our men and women in uniform and the government and people that stood behind them, had the intestinal fortitude to do whatever it took to persevere and win the war. Our men and women in uniform still have that. Our government and most citizens however, do not. This is why we have not been successful in most conflicts, dating back to Vietnam, and this is why one day, we will fall to a malicious and irrefutably more defiant nation. God bless John Hatley, his soldiers and every other soldier willing to fight for what they believe in. I wish John and his family the best of luck as they deal with this cowardly government and people like Robert.
“If you don’t stand behind them, stand in front of them” rather
♥GOOD JOB RYAN! And THANK YOU FOR SERVING! My son spent 15 months in Iraq, as a Medic and a total of 8 years in the Military.
♥AMERICAN HEROES♥
-MSG John E. Hatley
-SFC Joseph P. Mayo
-SGT Michael Leahy Jr.
READ THEIR STORIES!
YOU DO NOT INCARCERATE A WAR HERO–I FULLY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!♥
If WE don’t FULLY SUPPORT OUR TROOPS and their decisions or split-second decisions and RALLY-UP IN SUPPORT OF ALL OUR TROOPS…our Troops will hesitate to shoot in deadly threats–out of fear of Court Martial’s and prison!!!!!!!!
WE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR TROOPS… DO NOT PUT OUR TROOPS IN HARM’S WAY, THEN PUNISH THEM FOR DOING THAT WHICH THEY WERE SENT TO DO… ELIMINATE THREATS TO OUR SAFETY–>WE, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, THEIR SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR COMRADES!!!!!!!
I have nothing to do with the army and have no connection to this case whatsoever, just a TV observer really. But I wanted to leave a post.
Sounds to me like U.S. commanders send soldiers to do police work, then punish them when they make a mistake.
I agree it is bad that these guys chose to take lives of 4 enemy combatants when they were already disarmed and I am sure it was against the army law, but courts should also consider the lives they saved before they made this mistake and – possibly, but of course not verifiably – lives they saved by in fact making the mistake.
I would set them free in a few years with lots of counseling while they are behind bars to rehabilitate them and no more army duty.
And commander in chief should think hard about whether it is worth keeping the army in Afganistan and Iraq. If they want to fight a war, send the army. If they want to help build another nation, send international peacekeepers or some other police force but not the army.
Freedom has a special flavor that the protected will never know…. I really hope John is able to get cleared from all this. God Bless Our Troops!!!!!
p.s. If you don’t feel like standing behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
1SGT John Hatley is the most brave and honorable man i could ever imagine, he has served 19.5 years for everyone in this country and the sad thing is it is so very little appreciated. Anyone who has not served has no clue whats going on, as a little girl i remember only getting to see him maybe every three years (if i was lucky) i also remember him coming home with holes in the bottoms of his feet and without complaint super gluing them back together. I couldn’t imagine what these men have to go through everyday and these ignorant people that have no idea want to say he’s no hero? Your kidding right? Someone who doesnt sleep for days while you complain about not getting to sleep in, someone who doesnt see thier family on a daily basis, someone who doesnt get to enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning, and someone who does get shot at everyday and puts thier life on the line for…YOU!!! I want to thank everyone who has been supportaive of my Unlce John and a special thanks to my Aunt Kim Hatley who has done a great job at getting this information out there! And for the other people that only have negitive and stupidity coming out of thier mouths are probably the idiots who complain about getting up in the morning and doing nothing with thier lifes!!! I pray for these people that God will be with them. Maybe they should move to the enemys country, i mean thats who thier supporting anyway! These men were doing what they knew was right and its sad that the people he was willing to die for our now saying he deserves prision and even death..i feel sorry for you people because we have God on our side and if i was in your shoes theres no doubt i would be scared!
I agree Kelsey! More young adults like yourself need to step up to the plate and have a voice…..Your uncle has been a beacon light for Freedom, the last 20 years….I am grateful and thankful!
What’s the problem here?? These men should not have ever spent one hour in jail! They were sent over to kill the bad guy-they did…end of story!!! How can you send people to war, tell them to kill the enemy and then sentence them to prison for doing their job?!?! This is a bunch of bullshit in my opinion!! SET THEM FREE!!!
well, here is something JUST for you JR: taken from a website….which is at the bottom of this information
News Middle East Iraq
——————————————————————————–
Thursday, December 11, 2008
US military rushes to build cases against dangerous detainees
Beginning on January 1, all detentions would have to be based on evidence, and the US would have to prosecute prisoners in Iraqi courts or let them go.
“At the end of the day, if there’s not enough facts to justify a court case, then we’ll have to release,” said Brigadier General David Quantock, the commander of the US detention system in Iraq.
comment from peter (release so that they can kill the ones who captured them I bet)
The Americans have evidence against only “a few hundred” of the most dangerous detainees, Quantock said, leaving open the possibility that thousands could find themselves back on Iraq’s streets soon.
Lot of work
“We have a lot of work to do,” he said.
Part of the challenge stems from differences between the US and Iraqi legal systems. In the United States, forensic evidence is widely used in the courts. Not so in Iraq.
“We’ve got a number of guys right now that are covered in TNT [explosive residue]. However, that’s not admissible in Iraqi court,” Quantock said.
Peter’s comment_ OH WOW…SO HOW DO WE FIGHT A WAR….WHEN WE ARE UP AGAINST THIS?
“What wins the day in Iraqi courts today is two eyewitness statements or a confession.” The US is training Iraqi forensic specialists and pushing to make such evidence more acceptable in court.
Peter’s comment (tell me…the terrorists do not GO BY RULES…HOW CAN WE be successful and keep our military safe, when we have this going on? They have TNT all over them and you LET THEM GO! – PLEASE – HOW IGNORANT IS THIS? ARE THEY TRYING TO SEE HOW MANY AMERICAN SOLDIERS FACES THEY SEE SO THE CAN KILL AGAIN?)
Iraqi judges are slowly bending, but it is expected to take time before forensic evidence wins wide approval.
this was in Dec of 2008
US forces are holding around 16,500 detainees in all.
Recent trip
The largest facility, with some 12,900 prisoners, is at Camp Bucca near the city of Basra, some 544km southeast of Baghdad.
Iraq’s government will receive the names and other details of those in US custody so it can issue arrest warrants for some of them.
Quantock said he is confident that either the US or Iraqi government will muster enough evidence to keep many of the most dangerous individuals behind bars.
But releasing the other 11,000 prisoners, who are not considered a serious threat, also poses a challenge.
comment from peter (oh yeah – the other 11,000 will be right back on the streets – killing again—-
The security agreement before Iraq’s parliament stipulates that detainees be let go “in a safe and orderly manner”.
US and Iraqi officials are mindful of the dangers posed by dumping thousands of suspected insurgents, even if minor players, into communities already grappling with high unemployment.
Peter’s comment – (Lets get educated AMerica….the 3 heros that are our AMERICANS are in prision for doing the RIGHT THING AND not doing the POLITICAL THING- WAKE UP!)
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These four Iraqi terrorist were killed because they were trying and maybe have previously succeeded in killing people. And everyone is saying that it was wrong to have killed these men without evidence, and is saying that these soldiers deserve to be prosecuted. I say that is all bullshit and the American public are hypocrites.
If these Iraqi men were detained, according to the law, and then released, just to later on bomb the SAME platoon who detained them, killing many young soldiers, everyone would be upset by it. And everyone would be having a different reaction to it.
When the american public hears about American soldiers being killed, they get upset and get all patriotic, but when they hear about American soldiers killing, they start criticizing. I dont think people realize that these are soldiers, not ordinary civilians, they are trained to kill and BE KILLED. When they are killed, everyone sympathizes, but when they kill, everyone has a negative comment.
Thank you. Until one walks in their shoes and was one of the 13 that was there – we have no right to judge. Would we rather have had those 13 commit suicide? The fight to live is strong for some and not for others.
God bless our troops and may they not be faced with the same predicament that will cause them to lose their stripes, their years of serving, and their lifetime income as a retiree.
Among your comments; you also need to recognize the fact (brought up by CNN) that Cunningham (WITNESS against our 3 soldiers) was fixing to be brought up on some sort of charges himself. He was fixing to be prosecuted! Instead, with the “story” he brought out….he saved himself…now he is a free man. HMMM makes me wonder….Cunningham is cunning…no doubt….and he will have to live with his misconception of WAR and the fact that his misconception is destroying innocent lives; lives that were put on the line for ME…US…here in the great USA! If you are a true Christian and Patriot- you need to take a stand against such tyranny….
U support your husbands and all of our soldiers 1,000%. I can ot understand why this is even an issue!!! We are at war, them against us and need to protect our soldiers and stand beside them. I see on the news every night what those savages are doing to our soldiers. YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT!!! God Bless You and Your Husbands
As the spouse of a service member about to deploy for the 5th time, my heart goes out to you and your family!!! I can’t even begin to imagine how this has impacted your family. I have always been afraid to ask my husband what he experienced during his deployments. My family supports you and yours and are praying for John, who is nothing less than a hero!
Hey Gillam,
I agree with you, it’s not about soldering, it’s about common sense.
Hey WolfPac,
I agree with you – unless the so-called crime is not really a crime.
It used to be a crime to date a person with a different skin color than yourself or of the same gender. But just because some bureaucrat labeled it a crime doesn’t mean it really was.
These men shot these insurgents in defense of their lives. Not because they didn’t like them or they were owed money or a drug deal went bad. No, they shot them so that 24 hours later one of these insurgents wouldn’t get the chance to shoot them…
I honestly do not understand why so many people commenting on this site keep glazing over the fact that the insurgents that were shot were active combatants intent on killing American soldiers.
These are not civilian street punks stealing cars who deserve due process…this is an active combat zone and these guys have rocket launchers, machine guns, and hand grenades IN THEIR POSSESSION!
Get real people…if there is no procedure and/or POW camp that you can engage to stop these insurgents from attacking you tomorrow, then you MUST shoot them – you have no choice. And if you don’t shoot them, then you are stupid and deserve to get shot by them the next day – just like what happened to Tom Hanks character in “Saving Private Ryan” – he got killed by the very same German soldier he let go free earlier in the movie…
I get that most of you are not soldiers, but this is not about soldiering, it’s about common sense…
Richard
There is no way possible to prepare a man or woman for what they will encounter during war. God bless and guide all who serve to protect our freedom.
I’m sorry to hear what has happened to our soldiers. It would appear as though our government is trying to prosecute a war
like a civil case.
Don’t be fooled … we have lost the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
The soldiers did their part but our incompetent civilian leadership failed once again.
I can only hope that once the press subsides that these men
will be quietly released.
FACT: WE ARE AT WAR WITH TERRORIST
FACT: OUR MILITARY SENT OVER TO IRAQ FOR WAR ON TERRORIST
FACT: WAR USUALLY MEANS KILLING
FACT: OUR MILITARY TRAINED TO KILL TERRORIST
FACT: WITH WHAT THEY ARE GOING THROUGH…1ST SERGEANT HATLEY; SERGEANTS MAYO AND LEAHY WILL REMAIN HEROS IN MANY MANY HEARTS AROUND THIS NATION
BELOW: INFORMATION ON SUNNI’S BEING KILLED; BY TERRORIST; ETC FOUND ON http://WWW.CFR.ORG/
do some research and fact finding before you claim that our 3 sergeants are murderers;
Oh and notice what they say about the detention centers (run by terrorists!) Detention centers are the place where suspected terrrorist are suppose to be taken and held (but actually ….they are released, because it is a brotherhood thing….) so….any comments?
Introduction
There is a growing chorus of complaints from Sunni Arab leaders that the Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) has been infiltrated by Shiite militias that engage in torture, kidnappings, and, in some cases, deaths squads against Sunnis. Though Iraq’s leadership downplays these outbreaks of violence, experts say there is widespread evidence that an increasing number of members of the Mahdi Army, led by the hot-headed Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, and Badr Organization are joining the ranks of Iraq’s military and engaging in paramilitary-style policing methods. “The ISF is not a true national force but rather a carved-up conglomeration of militias,” says Kenneth Katzman, senior Middle East analyst with the Congressional Research Service. The latest evidence: The November 13 discovery of a detention center in Baghdad allegedly run by Iraqi intelligence officials linked to the Badr Organization, where eighteen of the center’s roughly 170 captives—most of them Sunni Arabs—were reportedly beaten, blindfolded, or subjected to electric shocks.
Sunni Arab leaders accuse Interior Minister Bayan Jabr, a former high-ranking official with the Badr Organization, of turning a blind eye to this torture. The Muslim Scholars Association, a Sunni organization, recently compiled a list alleging hundreds of extrajudicial killings, disappearances, illegal raids, and instances of torture of Sunnis by individuals linked to Shiite militias. Experts say it’s impossible to tell what percent of the ISF is made up of militia members. However, according to the Los Angeles Times, the bulk of Baghdad’s largely Shiite 60,000-strong police force is split between those loyal to the Mahdi Army and the Badr Organization. Squad cars in Iraq’s capital often carry a green ribbon, the Badr Organization’s insignia, or a picture in their windows of al-Sadr.
I can only hope that once the press subsides that these men
will be quietly released, is the phrase that explains it all. The root of all evil is the media that preys on our men and women, in hopes of the big story that makes them famous, if not just for their fifteen minutes of fame.
The media and a very small hand full of soldiers that confuse conscience with protecting freedom have been a sore spot from the beginning.
John Hatley would be welcome in my home any day. To honor him as a Veteran of Foreign Wars is what needs to be done.
Do not take away what he has already earned because of the views of the ignorant people that have no clue what a hard decision is.
The next time you look out the window and the person you see is not looking at you as an infidel, waiting to kill you in exchange for 72 virgins, or the children walking your streets are not wrapped in explosives willing to do harm to you, you can thank all the men who have made the same decision John Hatley made.
If you do not have the courage or ability to fight for our freedom, then enjoy it by living your own life. Let the soldiers do their part. Whatever their part is, it will make this country a better place because of them.
Enjoy the holidays as each of you travel the United States, and be thankful that the trash you pass by on our highways is not an IED laid by the enemy. From on soldier to another.
God Bless you John Hatley.
Hey Daniel Lim (Air Force officer),
When the Air force bombs buildings with suspected insurgents inside, they do so from far away without anyone shooting at them during the bombing.
For all practical purposes, please explain to me the difference between the Air Force bombing the crap out of targets where they know insurgents live and these four US soldiers shooting active insurgents that they had no way to detain?
Honestly, I beg you to actually think for a moment and let go of all the Geneva Convention BS and answer my question to the best of your ability…
1. The Air Force does not know for a fact that the people it bombs will try to kill Americans. But it is very likely.
2. The Air Force bombs them even though they are not under direct attack, correct?
3. Using the reasoning you cited below, the Air Force clearly engages in preemptive “murder”, correct?
If these four soldiers are guilty of murder, then so are we all.
If an Air Force pilot can drop bombs on insurgents while they’re sleeping in their camps and not be put on trial for “murder” then why the heck were these men hung out to dry?
Expand your perspective, and you will quickly recognize the abject hypocrisy of punishing these men for simply defending themselves and their fellow soldiers…
Richard Gillam
I have only one point to make. Does anyone find it a tad bit ironic that these soldiers went before a military tribunal but Khalid Sheikh Mohammad and his cronies will go before a jury of “OUR PEERS”? This whole thing reeks of our current administration. Gotta love change!!!
The army doesn’t prepare soilders for everything they encounter. I can’t imagine the emotional stress of war. Men and Women go into a war and kill. That is what war is. Some go home with medals and others go to prison. It doesn’t make sense. Our own goverment detained innocent people out of fear after 9/11. I assume that these soilders did what they did out of fear. I am sorry they have been taken from there families. I don’t know what happened or all of the evidence. I do know that there is nothing easy about war. We send our men and women over there to go to war and we expect them to do so under a guide? I think they could have used some therapy, not prison time.
I am, and always will be, an activist against the death penalty, or killing innocents, but I am not, and never will be a soldier. I don’t know what they go through but I’ve seen the pictures. I don’t know what it’s like to be neighbours with some guy who will strap a bomb to his chest and walk into the middle of a group of my fellow americans and pull the trigger – do you!!!!!! Stop the judgement!!! GOD! If you had a time machine?? would you go back to a point in time and pull out a gun and kill the guys who boarded the planes that slammed into the towers – I would!!!!!! and maybe soldiers who were sent there to end the chaos felt the same way — they were sent with a mindset to kill the enemy Please don’t condemn without the facts!
John and the others are heroes, and thank god for them. This is disgracfful what has happened to them, keep the faith, I am praying for your family.
I was part of the 1/18 mortar platoon during that deployment, and I know 1SG Hatley is a great man and and excellent NCO. I wasn’t present when this incident occured, and most likely neither were you. It makes me sick to my stomach that people who have never been in his position, or anything remotely like it, can so blithely pass judgment.
Even if these allegations are true, it is incoherent to judge war-time actions by civilian standards. It would do everyone good to step back and remember that you were not there, 1SG Hatley was. He made his decisions, whatever they were, based on the facts on the ground. I know the kind of leader he is, and he deserves, he has EARNED the benefit of the doubt.
My heart goes out to him and his family, and I hope that justice will be served, and he will be a free man again.
I can’t wait for the movie! BTW Did they receive DISHONORABLE discharges?
Hatley Family,
It is sad to see how the government has handled this case and turned their backs on our soldiers.
Thank you for everything that your family has been through and sacrificed for this country. Your family is in my prayers as you prepare for the appeal.
There is nothing but circumstantial evidence and no bodies – congratulations – you just did what these soldiers are supposed to have done – sentence innocents to die – hope your proud of yourself!!!!
For all the non Americans who have posted:
These men deserve a medal of honor. We need a zero tolerance policy – you get caught just once playing the terrorist role we take your life, period. The few decent people in these countries would applaud. These men saved countless American lives by getting rid of the garbage some call Muslim “men”. If we had more brave men like this snuffing out these terrorist the world would be a much safer place for all. Isn’t that why we are over there? Lets be real most of the middle east adds nothing to humanity, why should humanity waste their time with these zeros.
Total insanity…just like the countries we are trying to help.
I am a mother of an American soldier. I am a sister to a brother that served in the Vietnam War. I am a sister to a different brother that served in The Gulf War. I am an aunt to a U.S . Marine Veteran. I am also aunt to a nephew who is currently a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. I think we are way off track in our treatment to these American soldiers. They sacrificed precious time away from their loved ones to assure our rights, priviledges, security and FREEDOM. If we were away from our homes and the people we love ,doing what we were trained to do and the end result of our efforts ended with the return of the same culprits firing on us again and again, would we not do the same thing to assure our survival? I think we would. As a patriotic citizen of the United States, I beg the powers that be, PLEASE FREE THESE MEN TO GO HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES. We are fighting a war on terror, are we not? Weren’t these insurgents the enemy we sent these men away from their homes to defeat. American people, lets do our part here at home and let our government know we support these men and the many others still fighting the war on terror.
Ok so …
I sign up to serve my country and do anything they tell me to do to serve our people and protect our land..honorable
I stick it out, go through the hardest training imaginable and really work hard: pushing my mind and body to the very limits to be the best protector and defender of my country that I can be..honorable
I follow orders and leave my family behind to fight a war I have been instructed to fight ..honorable
I kill when told to kill and have to place human emotion on the back burner to be able to serve and protect my country..honorable
I see my friends blown away by the enemy every day while constantly fighting to stay alive..yet I still keep going..honorable
I kill four men that I KNOW are trying to kill me and everything I stand for..I kill them because I KNOW they are the enemy and if released will be back at it tomorrow trying to kill me again…HONORABLE!!!
I am sentenced to life in prison for protecting my country, the life of my family, the lives of my comrades, my own life.. DISHONORABLE!!!!!
It is so easy to judge someone while sitting on your couch with a laptop on you legs and the tv on in the background..watching other people fight so you can be free to get fat and judge… but until you walk in someones shoes..ESPECIALLY the shoes of a man fighting for YOU in a war he may or may not even believe in.. but is there because his country told him to go and he went unselfishly to serve his country…until you walk in those shoes.. NONE of us have any right whatsoever to judge him… shame on you all..
I walked home on Sept 11 covered in ash from head to toe..after watching WITH MY OWN EYES innocent people jump to their death from 50 floors up to not have to burn alive..then ran for my own life as huge skyscrapers fell around me… So THANK YOU Mr. Hatley… from the bottom of my heart! The rest of you need not forget why he was sent there in the first place!! These guys DID come in our home.. and they came here to kill!! And if everyone continues to sit around and act passive and feel sorry for THEM.. they will come BACK in our home and KILL AGAIN! WAKE UP!!
It is with great sadness that I reach out to the family of John Hatley. The trial of these men should never have happened in the first place, as they were simply defending their own lives and the lives of their fellow soldiers.
The system currently in place is to blame for the tragedy, not these soldiers or the insurgents. If I was in John Hatley’s position, I would have done exactly the same thing. It would not have been easy, but I would have unquestionably pulled the trigger in order to save American lives. Period.
I also cannot blame the “terrorists”. First off, the four men killed were not terrorists; they were enemy combatants in an ongoing “war”. Moreover, if I was an insurgent trying to kill American soldiers and I was captured and then released after only a few hours, then I would absolutely be back out trying to kill more American soldiers the very same day I was released….duh! So, neither the American soldiers nor the “insurgents” can be blamed for their actions – as both parties were simply behaving in a perfectly logical and reasonable manner, given their respective circumstances.
This tragedy is the fault of our leadership and policymakers. The insurgents have a job to do and cannot be blamed for trying to do it – they believe in their cause as we believe in ours. The four American soldiers also had a job to do – starting with saving their own lives and protecting those of their fellow soldiers. Anyone who objectively reviews the evidence will quickly conclude these soldiers killed four insurgents in self-defense. Perhaps that self-defense was slightly time shifted, but so is the dropping of bombs on locations that very likely have insurgents inside who will very likely try to kill Americans and who will very likely succeed – given the chance.
When the US Air Force bombs an insurgent stronghold and kills a few women and children along the way, we call it “collateral damage”. The insurgents getting bombed were not shooting at anyone at the moment they were getting attacked…yet everyone still understands that it was a good idea to preemptively kill these people anyway. So, why is it that when these four ground soldiers preemptively kill 4 active insurgents (who, without a doubt, would have been trying their very best to kill the American soldiers only a few hours later) we call it “murder”? This is totally irrational. Moreover, these soldiers only killed enemy combatants and not any innocent bystanders, like so often happens in this war.
On another note, if we’re “at war” then we need to build massive POW camps just like in WW2 and hold enemy soldiers until the “war” is over. If we’re not at war, then why are US soldiers shooting at people and getting shot at?
As an American citizen who is eternally thankful for the warm blanket of freedom provided by our men and women in uniform, I am sickened and disgusted by what happened to these four brave American heroes. Why are they heroes? Because they did what they knew needed to be done, whereas the vast majority of us would not have had the courage to stomach the actions necessary for the defense of our own lives and those of others by shooting 4 people who would have undoubtedly killed more of my fellow Americans had they been set free. I regret the deaths of these four insurgents, but our soldiers were left with no reasonable alternative in the pursuit of an effective defense (of their own lives).
I applaud their actions, and I am honored by their sacrifice. But what of their families? Who is going to take care of them until our government can be convinced to release these unlawfully detained soldiers?
I weep for their wives and children, as should all my fellow Americans during this moment of insanity.
The mindless bureaucracy that set these events in motion is tearing at the very fabric of our nation’s relationship with our fighting men and women.
Richard Gillam
PS
Near the very end of the movie “Saving Private Ryan” Tom Hanks’ character is killed by a German soldier who had been previously captured. When the soldier was initially captured, the American soldiers had no way to hold him, so they had a choice to either kill him or trust that he would not rejoin the fighting and instead turn himself in when American reinforcements arrived sometime later. Most of the American soldiers suggested shooting him (not out of spite, but rather as the only logical option to prevent the German from killing more Americans in the future); however, Tom Hanks’ character vetoed this option, and instead trusted the German to honor his word not to reengage other American soldiers in fighting. This proved to be a big mistake, as ironically it was this very soldier who later shot & killed Tom Hanks’ character at the end of the movie (after breaking his promise and rejoining the fighting). Even more interesting, was that only moments after he killed Tom’s character, he was recaptured and, upon being recognized by one of the American soldiers, he was immediately shot and killed even though he was now unarmed and he was holding his hands above his head.
This unarmed, defenseless German soldier was killed by the American soldiers for no other reason than the fact that he had been previously captured and came back to try to kill more Americans anyway…in fact, he was in a lineup of a dozen captured German soldiers and was singled out of the group and then shot. In the theater where I watched this movie, the entire audience cheered loudly upon seeing the American soldier shoot the unarmed German. Thus, can we agree that it’s highly unlikely a LEGITIMATE jury would have convicted these four American soldiers simply for engaging in a logical and reasonable act of proactively defending themselves?
Kim,
You and John mean the world to us. We will always be here for you and John will be home one day soon–I will continue to help you fight for that. You are both heros, as are SGT Mayo and SGT Leahy.
Please ignore the ignorant people on here who have not lived the military life you and I have and have not stood there and watched our husbands go off to fight and cry ourselves to sleep at night. Don’t let there rude, psycho-babble BS bring you down. I know you will be OK and continue to fight. You are the strongest person I have ever met and I am proud to call you and John my friends!
We love you!!
Kim, I love you and John, I also love Joe and Mike. Some of these comments are so damn rude, and I’m sorry. No one has the right to be saying these things, I am a proud disabled veteran. I am so blessed to have served with John, Joe, and Mike and all of 1-18. I miss everyone. For everyone that is disrespecting the wives of our nations heroes and all of us supporting our heroes, leave your comments to yourself unless your supporting em!!! Kim, we love you!!!!! We are always here for you!
our soldiers are the heroes!
First of all,
I hope for the very best outcome for these three men. I agree with the SGT below there is an element of fear that some will never understand by being in the desert surrounded by those that want to kill you.
However as Americans we have to hold ourselves to higher standards than those around us. For those demanding that commenters that are voicing their upset-ness with the situation should pack their bags and leave the country, maybe you should instead. You’re doing this country a great disservice by implying that others are not entitled their first amendment right that these very same soldiers were sworn to protect. Theres thousands of Americans in the sandpits fighting everday and we can not break rank, break face or let them into our hearts/minds.
Every man and woman has to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. They understood the risk for the actions they took, trust me. If I murdered three Iraqis in the desert, I’m sure my General father would understand my fear, but would be moreso embarrassed if I didn’t stand on my own two and do the 10 years that they probably won’t stay in the whole time for.
God bless em’ and anyway you look at this, it’s not good. Best of luck SGTs.
I believe it will take some Politicians looking into this situation to make a difference. Maybe this is where our Political leaders can really show us what they are made of and who they represent. So many of them have lost the respect of the people in this new administration; who wanted Change….Our prayers; thoughts and more will be with these families during this trying time….Psalm 46:1
I will not give my opinion on whether these men are innocent or quilty because I don’t know all the facts however when I first heard this story I wondered what would have happened if someone had killed the men who boarded the four airplanes and drove them into the twins and the pentagon – just a few men caused thousands of deaths. Hmmm…. makes you wonder who is alive today because of their alleged actions.
Your point of view is shockingly open and unbaisly to the point! thank you for putting that out there
It’s funny how you have some people saying that he had no right to kill those iraqis. What’s even more sad is when you have comments on here coming from people who say they are former veterans in the army and have a right to say that. I think the so called “vets” who say that are prob some pogues or in the rear with th gear soldiers who never served in a combat mos…ie infantry, and therefore isnt there main job to engage the enemy. Yea they prob got shot at a couple of times on the way to another base, but their main job wasnt to hunt down the enemy, so in my opinion they need to shut up , i dont care what rank they are. Only combat guys have a right to talk cuz they are their having to deal with the judgement of there superiors when things go wrong. Alot of people on here make comments and cant even fathom the pressure these guys go through when their actively being shot at and seeing friends being killed. All i gotta say read the book “LONE SURVIVOR”, it shows the pressure of making a life or death decision, and one was made in the cost of his buddies….but some americans would rather see soldiers killed then innocent iraqis, but thats war, any person who never been in that situation cant comprehend that…same with being a police officer, the public is more inclined to let a cop be killed then a criminal, when most criminals have been a nuisance to society since grammar school…but most police officers have been model citizens, but they would still rather see a officer killed…people who dont kno what they talkn about need to shut up.
All reason goes out the window when a bullet is coming your way, no matter how much you train or how good your moral judgements are at the time. War is War, War is hell. Spitting on fellow soldiers just tells the rest of us what kind of person you are.
I am so sorry to hear about this…..God is watching down on all of us…and he is with you too…so BE STRONG beautiful woman …My prayers are with you
John,
The people that were “murdered” will happily cut your head off, or you mother’s, or anyone else that does not believe in their laws.
But then you wouldn’t know anything about that kind of raw hate, would you? Why? because Soldiers like John Hatley do not hesitate to fight wars that we are told to fight without question. And to think I watch my friends die, get wounded and the mental burden we who make it out carry for sheeple like yourself, who judge the one’s who protect your right to say such ignorant and mean things with out any knowledge of what he did. Why don’t you try fighting with both hands tied behind your back?
This man gave his life to save the lives of his men. The ultimate sacrifice. You don’t know about the sniper attacks that stopped, we don’t know who’s life he saved, because no one else was killed. Is a hero not defined by the act of giving his life so that others may live? He has to live through his sacrifice.
Poetic justice for people like you is for all Soldiers and agencies who protect you to just stop what they are doing and let these terroists have a good time setting up IED’s on the road you use to go to work and set up in sniper hides to get you, you’ll be yelling where we were for you then. Just like 9/11.
Sheeple! Just like a sheep to judge the dogs that will give their last breath to protect you.
If you didn’t sit at the trial, you don’t know the facts. No one, except those with access to all evidence is qualified to pass judgment and express these extreme opinions. These men were placed in a difficult situation.
Observing a crime in your neighborhood, would you intervene and be like many Americans and simply watch while the crime proceeds for fear of being judged incorrectly?
At least honor these men for their years of service to our country and lets give them the benefit of a doubt in the appeal process.
The bottom line is that soldiers are trained to kill.
History shows that if you kill a few in a war, you may go to prison; kill thousands and you get studied while under “house arrest.”
Does anyone else see a problem with that?
I have been there and I know the struggles faced by soldiers every day. To imprison these soldiers for war crimes is a terrible injustice.
thank you for being a solider and defending our country and our rights!!!
For those of you that think that its easy to make the right or wrong decision you werent in these mens shoes nor do you know what was going through their minds at that time. Unless your in that situation you dont know what it is like. Everyone has their opinion on this situation and this is mine. GOD BLESS you and your family.
FREEDOM ISNT FREE!!!!!
I hope and pray for the release of these three Soldiers. They did what they felt they needed to do to protect the other American Soldiers out there is a country with no morals or values in the least. Better to eliminate the enemy then fight him over and over with no end in site. We never should have gone there in the first place. SET THEM FREE!!!!!!!!
Judge not, that you may not be judged.
Kim
From the 150 of us that serve under John. They may have taken his rank, taken him from you and your son, and made an examply out of him. To all of us that served those long 17 months with a made that brighten up the room everytime he walked in. We will always call him First Sergeant. I will only hope to one day be as great of an Army 1SG with half the respect that your husband received, but did not demand out of his men.
To those whose are blinded by their own lack of knowledge,
You will never truely know the meaning of fear. You will truely never know what it means to live and be free. You strive everyday to call yourself an American. But you will never know what it means to live and work and trust your life to men and women, of all walks of life, who come together for a common purpose. To give you the rights to belittle and degrade those very people who have given everything for you. I pitty you and pray that someone higher one day enlightens you on your own flaws.
Still Proudly Serving the WOLFPACK,
Sgt. Louis M. Scharf
I am in awe over this whole situation. I believe that it is wrong that these soldiers, men that sacrificed their time, their lives and everything that they have, to defend us Americans, are put into prison. This, I believe, is turning our backs on them. We don’t understand the whole situation that went on over there. They did what they felt was right, and they were protecting their fellow soldiers and the innocent people in Iraq. I am sure they did not kill these men, just to kill them. They did it because they knew that they were a threat. These are now four men that we do not have to worry about, because of these heros.
The one comment was about these Iraqi men having families and blah, blah, blah. Well these three heroes have families too, and now they are missing their children growing up, graduating and getting married. They are going to miss growing old with their loving wives. This, America took away from them. These men, I believe, did not kill, they were doing their jobs and protecting their fellow soldiers and we, as Americans.
I am appalled, and embarrassed at our court system. There is a part of me that is embarrassed to call myself an American.
It saddens me to see so many hardened against these heros…yes I said HEROS….As I have been told the ROE (rules of engagement) change many times…so that tells me that whatever the rules were …they were not good to begin with….In my opinion; we should give our military the firepower it needs to get the job done or get everybody out and protect our own country here in the USA. That is just my opinion and THANKS for letting me have the freedom to say so….I would caution those of you who are watching CNN….the media has a tendency to turn things around and make them seem what it is not. The men in question pursued the enemy PERIOD. How can you NOT call the so called terrorist (with lots of firepower) not enemies? When the USA propells firepower into so-called enemy territory…no doubt there will be “innocent” lives lost or is there? If the so-called “innocent” protect the terrorist- you become terrorist …you cannot be both terrorist or friend…one of the other… The decision was made to go to WAR when the terrorist came on our SOIL and tried to tear America apart. 1 Corinthians 16; 13 “Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
I would hope our government quietly pardons these four sergeants and gets them home to their families.
This Democrat believes that if those men never did anything else in their lives, their entire existence would be justified by what they did that day.
I will write my representative to express my hope that these men are released as soon as possible.
Please turn this site into a petition site to submit to legislators and politicians. “We the people” of this country do not agree with this judgement, and is a tragic injustice to our men in uniform. This would of never happened if bureauocrats didnt make it happen by turning our soldiers into police officers. This is unacceptable. These men had the courage to think of their comrades before themselves!
I am with you all the way. I know they did the right thing. If I were in their boots I would have done the same thing. I want to thank the three Sgt for their service and I am proud of them. They should receive a pardon. They did the best they could. Their action saved other men lives. I can not understand why our men are being punished for doing their jobs. I support the three Sgt. totally. They should be given Medals and released so they can go back and finish what they started. They are all good Joes in my book. In the old army they would be given a carton of smokes, a 30 pass, a pat on the back and then sent back to their units. Today’s army is all screwed up. Most of the people who think other wise have never been in combat or been under fire. I say to those people. Never judge a man until you have walked a mile in that man’s boots. May the Lord Bless them and their families.
This is war people. “May God have mercy upon my enemies, because I won’t.” – General George Smith Patton Jr.
I THINK WE SHOULD KILLEM ALL AND TAKE OVER.
We are being laughed at…and killed at the same time, by the same mutts.
No need to say WAKE UP AMERICA… if we’ve been asleep thru all this, it’s probably time to throw in the towel, and admit defeat by idiots.
The idiots I speak of call themselves Americans…
“All that is needed for evil to succeed, is for decent human beings to do nothing.”
Edmund Burke
And I am glad that decent human beings did something!
It is time for us to quit “tippy-toen” around and get business taken care of….
How do you win a war where you cannot harm the enemy but they can kill you?
Our troops fight against an enemy who hides behind deceit. They use women and children and religious houses as shields so that they are free to plot and shoot from behind a safety net while our troops stand with their hands tied behind their backs. They shoot at us, then drop their weapons to “surrender” and then pick up the weapons again when our backs are turned.
The public judge and the government dictates on the rules of warfare so that our enemies’ rights may be preserved. The United States will NOT win this war because we’re fighting with a different set of rules than our enemies! Let the troops do their job or pull them out! Don’t send them there to die.
Having worked with C Co. 1-26 IN during the Surge, I can understand your situation. Those were dark times, and in the middle of the chaos, your husband did what he had to do, guilty or innocent. What is the difference between murder and combat? Your husband should be released, via presidential pardon if necessary. He sounds like an outstanding NCO, and I hope I can become half the leader he is.
My first comment is: How can you convict someone for murder when there is no body, no forensic evidence?
Secondly, for someone who has never been in a war zone where the people on the other side play by different rules, this may seem harsh. But the Iraqis do not play by the same rules. They will have friends lie and cheat to convince the gullible americans that they are upright citizens.
Look – someone, somebody, is setting off and setting up bombs on a daily basis over there that are killing our soldiers – daily bombs and lots of them – so – if they found weapons in the same direction they were being fired at from and the guys had gunpowder on their hands than ummmmm I wonder if they were making bombs. SOMEONE OR SOMEBODY OVER THERE IS. WHY WOULD IT NOT HAVE BEEN THOSE 4 GUYS! If someone had been trying to shoot your brother day after day from the house across the street and you went over and found guns but you knew if you turned him in he would be set free to shoot at your brother again. Would you risk your brothers life or kill him?
These guys have seen and been through so much. Maybe they just didnt know what to do – but they were trying to do the right thing – I just know it.
My husband is a Medic.
Ann – if Murder is Murder – then what about the Murder that was avoided by these soldiers acting. The very next day when these insurgents were planting bombs and shooting to KILL our men and MURDERING them – you wouldnt have been on a blog writing about it – you would have been out shopping with your friends while the wives, sons and daughters of these soldiers are crying and begging God to make it stop. PLEASE put yourself in these soldiers shoes before you blog around trying to make a statement that you know nothing about first hand. Go to a base meet soldiers and their families hear some stories and then come back and write. Or better yet – go to Iraq or Afghanistan and discover the life that our soldiers have to live. Fighting a war that has no end or face but are doing it because you wont and someone has to do it.
Proud wife of an U.S. Army Medic – thats fighting so that you can go shop!!!!
C.T.,
That was very WELL PUT!!! We will never understand what happened, but Our SOLDIERS are getting punished everytime I turn around for being SOLDIERS!! They are doing there jobs!! In my eyes they are HEROS!!! And these NCO’s should not be punished! The Army has better things to do like, FIGURE OUT HOW MAJ. HASAN SLIPPED THROUGH THE CRACKS! WHEN ARE THE TERRORISTS GONNA PAY FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE TO OUR SOLDIERS AND FAMILIES AND ALL THE CIVILIANS THAT LOST THEIR LIVES IN 9/11 UNTIL PRESENT? AND AS FOR ANN AND TO ANYONE ELSE THAT IS QUICK TO JUDGE, YOU JOIN THE ARMY OR ANY OTHER BRANCH AND WALK A FEW YEARS IN THEIR BOOTS AND IN THE SPOUSES AND IN OUR CHILDRENS BOOTS. MY HUSBAND AND CT’S HUSBAND DO WHA THEY DO SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH THAT WE ALL HAVE AND YOU CAN GO SHOPPING AND BLOGGING AS YOU PLEASE, WHILE WE WERE LOCKED DOWN AND MY CHILDREN SCRARED TO DEATH STUCK AT SCHOOL BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LIKE HASAN AND THE TERRORISTS!!!!
PROUD ARMY WIFE AND A PROUD USA VETERAN!!!!
Stay strong 1st SGT. It is a shame when politics become involved in war, sounds ironic but it’s true. Even with experience of being deployed myself , I cannot imagine the situations, circumstances and stress you and your unit endured. Desperate times call for desperate measures…. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
John,
do not know if you remeber me, my borther Sgt. Michael Edwards served with you in Iraqi and both of you were stationed in Germany. You were also his best man at his wedding in September 2005. Though I only saw you this one day and our interaction was limited, you left a lasting impression on me. Mike speaks very highly of you and you know he is hard to please! He says “there is no one else i would rather be in a hole with”. The Army has lost a natural leader and a figure for our men and women to aspire to be like.
I have followed your case and have been brought to tears on several occasions. I am truly sorry for what has happened to you and the other gentlemen. I have heard the “full” story from mike and I applaude you for standing up and saving your life as well as the lives of the other Army/Marine personel. If those 4 men were released again and did kill/injury someone that would have weighted on you and your company. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this time. I truly believe that the 19 1/2 yrs you dutifully served our country will not be in vain and you will be pardoned!
Best Wishes,
Christina Edwards Cong and Family
You know it amazes me in the direction our country is headed. I have never been to war, so for me to sit here and try to judge these “Great Men” would be unjust. I just thank all of our brave men and women overseas and pray to God the United States gets its own head out of it ass soon. We are at WAR!!! I don’t see Al-Qaeda or Taliban playing by the same rules so how the hell are we suppose to win this Holy War? Be glad I can never be President….I would pull all of our soldiers out and Nuke the fu***** Middle East. See Washington problem solved!!!! That damn easy!
These Americans ARE Fighting For America, WHY are criminals in this country given the free pass, and soldiers whose job by the way is protecting our country have to ride some imaginary political roller coaster Death Happens in war , This is a disgrace to taxpaying citizens stop wasting money on court cost etc etc on someone who is doing there Job God Bless The Soldiers and God Bless The USA ,Lord knows we need it
To all you people that say these soldiers are terrorist. Why don’t you go to Iraq or Afghanistan pick up a rifle and defend your country. I was in The United States Marine Corp. I was an 0311 Infantryman and If I were in there shoes I would have done the same thing I have seen it first hand that where we make grounds in the battle only to release these iraqis and afghans hours after they set up ieds or hours after they shoot @ our troops. So if you haven’t been over seas fighting for your country then you need to not say anything about these soldiers. Were over ther fighting for your freedom and sometimes we have to do things that aren’t in the Geneva conventions! My heart goes out to any family that has lost someone or that is going through what these families are. We give you the right to say what you want but we have the right to punch you in the mouth if don’t agree!!! SEMPER FI!!!
It is a shame that so many people choose to judge these brave solders instead of supporting them. Perhaps those who criticize these solders for protecting our country should join the army and volunteer to go to Iraqi. I’m sure this would change there view. It is a very dangerous place. Even if you don’t support the war. If you are ordered to go to Iraqi, you must go. You have no choice. I do not know of any other country who would treat their soldiers with such injustice. As a country, who do we think we are fooling? America is viewed by much of the world as stupid. Because of policies like this. For those of you who criticize. Do us all a favor. Join the army. If you live to tell about it, you can come back and do some more complaining.
When are americans going to get there heads out of there butt’s and realize that when you are at war you must kill your the ememy anywhere and in any building or church they fire at you from.
Quit being so stupid and quit feeling sorry for the dumb bastard shooting at our military, your correct they should not have taken them to a canal, they should have killed them in place without mercy the same way they would us.
if we have to blow a church up or a house to eliminate the enemy do it, if we dont this war will go on for ever.
stop the politics and support our troops!!!!!!!!!!!
These men are HERO’S and should be treated as such. Anyone making cowardly remarks should be where these men have been and walk in thier shoes. These men are put in harms way and this is how we thank them. Shame on you, and remember men like these give you the right to belittle them.
John,
I am an Asian Indian, I feel so sorry for what had happened to you though i will be not be able to understand your pain. I hope that God will protect you and keep you safe. Dont give up but keep praying. Remember the truth will set you free…that what Lord Jesus told us. May God bless you.
Dave.
I have followed this story closely. With sympathize deeply with your situation and you are in my family’s thoughts and prayers
Don’t give up!
War is filled with tremendous tradegy on both sides. I lived in a foreign country until I was 9 yrs old and remember civillian neighborhoods being bombed from the air by military aircraft all in the name of killing “the enemy”. The people killed were often innocent civillians just going shopping for groceries or walking to school. The only way to stop this madness and sufferring for the civillians and the US troops who are being asked to do police work instead of fighting a war is to stop this war, bring our troops home, compensate all those who sufferred, grant clemency to the troops who may have made mistakes in judgement, and demand our government change our policies so we don’t find ourselves in this kind of mess in the future. You and your family have my deepest sympathy.
Are all of you blind. We are in a ***** war. That is the very reason why we will not should get the hell out of there. USA isn’t ready for war.
Stay strong. You are a hero. None of us know the day to day struggles you soldiers endure. We cannot judge you.I for one, as a proud American, consider you a hero. You guys stopped 4 men from killing any more Americans or innocent Iragis. I will write my congressmen on your behalf. Thank-you for all you have done to keep us free and safe from terrorists, now it is our turn to take care of you. May God bless you!!
MSG Hatley, my heart goes out to you. I was your driver in your first OIF deployment OIFII 04-05. I can not explain the amount of my frustration at all of this. We survived a near ambush together and had it not been for you getting my head and others in the game only hours earlier, I shiver to think of what could have happened. Stand strong brother. My heart is filled with nothing but honor for you. I Pray that this will be resolved honorably.
I was in Iraq around the time this “incident” happened, I know how truly messed up things were at that time.
TOP I can only hope that this madness you’re going through ends at one point. The goddamn army needs NCO’s with a set of balls! People back here have no idea what it’s like doing op’s in Baghdad, I conducted over 200 missions and lost two men. If the charges were dropped against the marines at Haditha then what the hell is going on here!
May God bless you and give you the strength to face this. I hope things work out positively for you and John. A Salute to John for his bravery and the many years he put in to serve this country. One of the many reasons why my family is safe here and has the opportunity to live life and enjoy it. Thank you.
Stay Strong John, Best wishes Jeff Clark
Kim,
Is there anyone that I can write to help with the appeal process or to get the word out? I am heartsick over this treatment of our fighting men. Please advise me if there is anyway that I can help.
Sherri LeNoir
Groesbeck, Texas
As a army infantry vet, Afghanistan vet, and Iraq vet, and ranger, I’m appalled by this. no one knows how it is over there.
one minute the cameras are on and the kids are waving, and smiling, saying how much they love America, and as soon as the camera is off, and you back is turned, they are on the cell phone setting off the IED. 8,9,10 year old kids killing, just because some cleric told them to.
I just want to say I hope you get through this msg. sgt. and i with you. ooorah… rangers lead the way…
God bless you and your family. Our military is our means of survival. How do we keep a standing army of active duty volunteers when they’re at risk for 3rd, 4th, and 5th deployments plus criminal prosecution? Again, God bless and God speed.
I am so sorry for this, I served in 1-26 from 03-05, 1-18 was are Sister BN. 1SG did not deserve this. When is are judicial system ever gonna get it right. HE SHOULD BE A FREE MAN!!
I served under 1SG Hatley during OIF 06-08 and it was the greatest honor of my life. John showed me what it was to truly be a soldier and he is the standard I constantly try to maintain, and he is still the best noncomissioned officer I have ever seen. He was a father to us all.
I loved having the honor to serve with 1st sgt hatley. He is a man of honor and kept us as safe as he honestly could. I would love to help as much as i can Kim. Thanks Dustin.
John and Kim,
I think of you both daily. I pray for the both of you. I miss you John. I will see you soon. Stay Strong like you always were. Thanks for ALWAYS being there for me.
Kim, you and John are two of the most genuine, kind, strong people I have ever met. You helped me some much though that awful deployment and I can never thank you enough for that. And John brought me my husband home, safe alive and well. My husband has told me over and over if it were not for 1SG none of us would have made it back. I love you two so much!!!
Love always,
Mrs. Angela Lemon Slice Lesina
We think of you and the family often, remembering you in our prayers. We can never imagine what you have and are going through, but know God is always in control and faithful to see us through what ever the struggle. Stay strong in your faith in Christ and never give up. We love you and all of your family and you each hold a special place in our hearts.
I know kim and john for almost 5 years now and it brings tears to my eyes the whole story is just so sad,stay strong kim its all in gods hands!l
Keeping you in my Prayers. Surely Justice will win out for you. Thanking you for all you have done for our country.
Kim,
I am amazed by your strength. You are the strongest person I know and I feel privileged to know you and John.
I know John is so proud of you and everything you have accomplished and continue to accomplish everyday. You are a true hero in every sense of the word.
Served gladly as a Naval field RTO for more than 6 years. The lunacy of decisions such as these are what made myself and many others choose the safer path of not re-upping. Sadly, that also depletes our younger service people of those with the wisdom and experience to teach the necessities to both CM and stay alive whilst doing so. The checks and balances of out system have left too many “cake eaters” making wrongful solutions towards righful people. War is not an “event” that can readily be policed by those who’ve not been there. Politicians and career remf desk jockeys should not be in position to pass judgement on those who allow and provide our very freedom. It’s time for the well meaning citizenry of this nation and its military to realize that war is not a “game” to be scored on the principles developed in peace and decided by the unknowing. Set aside this erroneous verdict and allow our servicefolk to know that their backs are covered at home, instead of facing 2 fronts. When do we say, “enough, common sense is not a felony”? Today would be a good day to start, and what better place?! Carry on, and feel free to contact me for anything I can do. Bravo Zulu to you for your service and to the outstanding woman checking 6 for you.
I agree with you wholeheartedly…although I cannot speak for you, because I have never been where you are at….
but I will say in regards to “re-upping”….It would be nice to know that we have people like you, making the choice of re-upping…because YOU are exactly who we (America)need in places of importance….and it is probably the hardest job in the world….But God has your back.
Many thanks for the kind words…. Twas one of the hardest decisions made in my life to date, in regards to leaving service. Many factors weighed in, and to this day I’m not sure the right choice was made. Our military isone of the last remaining function of our society that functions mostly as it should. The troops need all of the support, experience and considerations that they can receive, from us each, one and all. May God watch over us all and rectify this travesty, both quickly and in a way that we can recognize. Briefings are given, sometimes daily, in the “legality” of actions that could transpire in a military evolution. Tis no place for lawyers and the faint hearted. Salute to the lady keeping this good fight front and center and may a positive and speedy resolution come for them all. Highest regards, Jeff Smith
Keep up the fire Kim!! your doing a hell of job i feel honored to have such a wonderful friend, who is always there when needed….thanks for the years of goodies and good advice…..will be dropping John a line soon. our connexes came in (my letter writing stuff is in there)…Keeping John you and Nick in my prayers..
Mongo
i only served with 1SG for a few months and i have to say he is one of my greatest idols as a leader and i hope for the best for him and cant wait to hear more about his Clemency
I rode as a dismount with 1SGT Hatley for a week and conducted many joint operations with him over my time in the surge. My platoon was joined with his company at the JSS during OIF 6-8 I was a PV2 at the time but, I felt like he took me under his wing, as I’m sure he did for all the new soldiers. He was and is a huge role model for me and I hope one day to be the kind of NCO and man he is. My heart and prayers are with you and your family Kim.
SGT Love,
1-28INF
John,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My brother was in Viet Nam and I do understand the need for our guys to be where they are right now. I would be totally remiss if I did not say to you thank you, because my brother would not be proud of me if I didn’t. So here is a really big Thanks!
I don’t know what I can do to help, but I will surely find out and do whatever I can. This is sent with love from me and all my family for your contribution to our freedom. God be with you and your family.
Kim,
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Being a former marine I understand how the millitary works and for them to charge him with a crime, for which he was only doing his job is completely ridiculous. They tell these soldiers to go over there and do a job, but then punish them for doing their job. War is not a fun thing to go through. Over there you our fighting for americas freedom and our rights. that were given to us by our forefathers. These young men and women go there not knowing what to expect. They see things that any normal 20 year should not see. And at the same time they fighting and killing the enemy, to protect the red white and blue. It sickens me, being a former marine seeing how the millitary is treating our servicemembers when they are over there and when they get back to the states. Basically they are getting punished for doing their jobs. This is not right and all of us former and current servicemembers need to finally stand up to the government and put a stop to all of this.
Take care and hang in there.
OOH-RAH….
Cpl Todd Ray
Former Marine.
His job is not to be a policeman, yet we ask our troops to wear many hats that dont fit, and they work hard to comply. Its easy to pass judgment from the safety and comfort of your home, but imagine yourself in his situation.
Knowing that you’re risking your life every day in an ultimately futile effort in what is basically a sick “catch and release” program would drive me mad. Mad enough to “murder”? Maybe.
The enemy deals with our troops by blowing them up with remote triggered IEDs, executing entire families, and picking of our soldiers in an asymmetrical guerrilla style engagement. These insurgents are not MS13 bangers in LA, and we cannot view them as such.
This story is horrible and sad and a true sign of the times. I am not even going to get into the whole agrument of “war is war” But i am so sick and tired of our country protecting the very people(iraqi’s, afganistans) that do harm to our countrymen. It makes no since to flight a war spilling our men and womens blood just to have it thrown back in their face….how is murder honestly commited during a war? freakin rediculous!
I am not talking with my emotions half of the people on are ready to Judge and sentence people without knowing all of the things that lead up to these men being killed. I don’t know what exactly happend I do know that our military is very willing to sacrafice our men to save themselves. If they were not they would treat out soldiers for their PTSD and stop throwing them back in harms way. Do i agree with the killings No if they were not in self defense. Am I going to judge these men who did NO I am not God and do not know the whole story only the men it involves know the story. Their are many on here that need to read the bible because there are stories of when God sent his people into battle he told them not to save anyone or any animal to kill them all. War is not a pleasant thing and you cannot expect that everyone will be ok that is sent inot battle and have to fight for their lives and kill someone will be ok with it just because it is self defense. WE do not know the state of mind our soldiers are in it is not like everyday life over there. It is not like they decide I am over here in war so I will just kill whoever because i can. I am an ex-army wife and people don’t understand what some of these men and their famlies face. Just because you may have been one of the lucky ones that can deal with everything you’ve seen and faced in war don’t judge those who are not so lucky! It changes their very being of who they are and were before being in those situations. Be thankful that you are well and that you do not have to face what you’ve done and hear everyone elses judgments and agianst you and your family for supporting and loving you!! Because they know that is not who you WERE when you left.
This story breaks my heart. My prayers are with him and his family.
Thank you so much for all you do. I am so glad that John has your love and support. We will continue to do what it takes to see him home soon.
Thank you for staying the course!
Kathyryn Oliverio
Kim,
You are a trooper through this whole thing!! I don’t know if I could handle what is happening to you and John with the dignity the two of you have. You both inspire me to be a better person. I miss the two of you sooo much!! I long to be back in Germany with you and John and the whole 1/18 crew. You made FRG so much fun. I loved the singing! We were a family, so close, and I feel like I’ve left the family. What happened to John is so awful. Chris has never been the same since that tour, he is now undergoing treatment for PTSD and depression after losing so many of his friends. I think if it hadn’t been for John, he would be in morre of a wreck than he originally was. He is getting better but it is a slow process. We are in Colorado Springs now and Chris will be deploying again in the summer. This will be his 4th tour. He idolizes John so much. He’s about to go for his 7 and he keeps telling me that he’s going to be a great platoon sgt. since he had the best training in John. He wants to make him proud. We will do whatever we can to help you and John make this time go by faster. Just let me know how I can help. Oh and I think before he deploys again we will make a trip to visit John. We aren’t that far anymore. I’ll let you know before we do so you can give me the “right” ways to do that.
Kim,
Im so glad you have been able to see John. I hope Tx is treating you well. Schweinfurt is going.. same old same old. LOL.. Dom and I miss both you and John, and we are praying for everything to work out. We miss and love you guys … RIGHT ON!!!!
Having only served with 1SG Hatley for a few months, I truly believe that this is the best 1SG I have ever had the pleasure of serving under. He has done nothing short of helping me understand the principles of leadership and the care of soldiers under my command. I am proud to say that I was part of His Company Alpha Company 1-18 IN (schweinfurt) and I respect everything 1SG did for us as his boys. I can not wait to hear more on 1SG’s Clemency, I hope for the best evry time.
Kim,
I know you won’t remember me, We met on multiple occasions like FRG activities and the battalion balls. My name is Lawrence Gray. I was a Sgt and Team Leader in 1-18 HHC Support Plt. Im now out of the Army but remember how hard 1SG Hatley worked and the Standards he upheld. He IS a GREAT AMERICAN HERO in my eyes as well as all or most of 1-18. I would proudly follow him into battle again as Alpha Co. stood tall and shined for 2nd BCT. Any time that any platoon or squad exchanged fire or was hit by IEDs or was in need of assistance 1sg Hatley and Alpha Co. was there. John Hatley will always stand out in my mind as a leader and the 1SG that took care of his soldiers, and this case is a true travesty. My thoughts and prayers go with you and your family and my deepest respect will always be with 1sg John Hatley.
God bless. SGT Gray
Kim–Your courageous and inspiring campaign to fight the cause for John and the other young men is beyond any one thing that I have ever accomplished in my lifetime. I would be proud to help you out in whatever ways I am able…I am so happy that John still has his indominitable spirit about him. He will always be a rock and inspiration for the other men. It is who he is just as what you are doing is who you are.
God bless–
You friend, Dea
Kim,
Your love for John continues to inspire and awe me. I am so proud of you. May John’s spirit NEVER be broken. Keep fighting … never stop.
ILU.
Trysh
Hi Kim,
What a beautiful website you have constructed. I think it tells the story wonderfully well. You have worked so hard for John and he has kept his spirits up amazingly. I want to tell you what an inspiration the two of you are and that my prayers are with you always!
Keep Fighting!
Kelly and the whole Wells’ family
He would be a hero to you, if it was your brother, daddy, Uncle, sister, friend or yourself that he was protecting from being killed. You would just say thank you.
It was a vote. all agreed. two young soldier got scared with the idea of Prison.( scary yes ) They crack under the pressure of the threat. This created the affect. And there was Prison still for them.
If you agreed and then snitch, you deserve life also.
And for the Snitches
If you would of just shut your damn mouth you all would be FREE. No witnesses. No case. This is truth.