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Last night I saw Ilario Pantano speak at an event organized by the Center for the Study of Popular Culture in Los Angeles.
Ilario Pantano
From the invitation to the event:
ILARIO PANTANO enlisted in the Marine Corps at 17, served in Desert Strom, became a sniper, and trained with militaries around the world. Eager for new challenges, Pantano left the Marines and earned his degree from New York University in three years, studying at night while working for the premier investment bank Goldman Sachs. Hungry for creative success, Pantano began producing and consulting in groundbreaking documentary television, film, and digital media. Witnessing the attacks of 9/11, Pantano fought to return to the Marine Corps in 2003.
Ilario was introduced by Janet Levy of the Center. From my handwritten notes of Levy's remarks:
After 9-11 Ilario re-enlisted and commanded a platoon in Iraq. He shot two Iraqis fleeing a terrorist hideout. This was in a time when the Iraqis were using the techniques of booby-trapped suicide bombers and fake surrenders. He was subsequently put on trial for his life in the U.S. for this. His mother, Merry, said, "Isn't it amazing that he can face death for doing his job making split-second decisions?"
Pantano was ultimately exonerated of all charges. Details are in his new book, Warlord. In the meantime, Merry started an organization called, Defend the Defenders. From their web site:
Who Defends Those Who Defend Us?
The Hamdania Eight
Right now, there are soldiers and Marines preparing to fight for their freedom and their very lives in military courtrooms.
These men are innocent until proven guilty. Period.
We will not leave our Marines and soldiers behind, and we will not offer them up on an altar of political correctness.
We can do no less for those American sons who have voluntarily put their lives at risk many times over in order to protect our freedoms and provide freedoms for others.
Just like the citizenry that they protect, our warriors are entitled to the best defense available under the law.
For those who wish to contribute directly to the legal war chest of the Hamdania Eight, we are hereby listing the websites where you may learn the details of how best to contribute:
- John Jodka
- Rob Pennington
- Melson Bacos
- Jerry Shumate
- Tyler A Jackson
- Marshall Magincalda
- Trent Thomas
- Lawrence Hutchins
For those who have contributed to Defend the Defenders.org, Inc., we will be making donations for legal defense to the above families as well as other cases as the need develops.
We encourage you to pass the word and to be generous. These young men need help and they deserve the benefit of the doubt. They also need to know that they are not being left behind in their time of great need: psychologically, spiritually, and monetarily.
Thank you for your continued support and belief in our troops.
It is unacceptable that these heroes risk their lives for our safety and security, and then face additinal risks from people here in the U.S.
Please support Defend the Defenders, and spread the word about it.
#1
#2Merry, it's an honor to see your comment here. You are very welcome. I'm reading Ilario's book, "Warlord," and look forward to posting about it.
#3There is a God and His justice will be done. Ilario is a vile war criminal who murdered two unarmed innocent civilians with impunity. The fact that the right wing Evangelist and Israel-firsters dominated administration of the most wretched failure of a President that Bush was, let him off teh hook does not mean this murdering little vermin will live happily ever after. There is a God and His justice will be done, sooner or later.
Thank you for listing http://www.defendthedefenders.org on your website. We appreciate the additional visitors to our site prompted by your comments. I hope visitors to http://www.defendthedefenders.org will take the time to read about our current cases, yes, plural.
Merry Pantano
Proud Mother of former Marine 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano