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| Home Front: Politix |
| Lt. Pantano Resigns |
| 2005-06-03 |
| (From Euphoric Reality, via Blackfive) After a year-long ordeal began by a disgruntled, third-rate sergeant, one of the finest officers in the Marines has resigned his commission. 2Lt Ilario Pantano submitted his letter of resignation on Wednesday, and is announcing it today at a fish fry in Wilmington, given to honor the volunteers of the American Legion and Congressman Walter Jones for their support during his case. Ilario emailed me this statement to pass on to you: The support of your network has been tremendous and I hope you can help me express how much I still love the Corps to your vast readership. Leading Marines in battle has been the pinnacle of my professional life. There are so many things about being a Marine that I will miss now that I have submitted my resignation, but my priority must be taking care of my family after what can only be described as 'one hell of a year'. Molon Labe Ilario Pantano Here are his remarks from the event, directed at Congressman Walter Jones, who supported Pantano faithfully throughout the investigation and Article 32 proceedings: Congressman Jones, You once shared a verse with me: Greater love hath no man - than to lay down his life for his friends. That spirit of sacrifice defines the soldier and Marine. And it defines you sir. You know in your heart and your soul what is right and you are willing to fight for it. Even if it is at great risk to you and your career. As my family and I faced our darkest hours you fought for us, and in doing so
You fought for every man and woman in the uniform, past present and future - not because of the opportunity to challenge the military, but for the opportunity to protect it from itself. Day and night you appealed to any that would listen. You were tireless in your defense of me, and for that I will be eternally grateful. My family and I want to thank you for your courage and your leadership. First, I present to you my innocence, known to you and many many others from the outset, but proven finally by our justice system after a yearlong investigation and prosecution. Congressman Jones, You weren't just brave to defend me. You were RIGHT. And finally, from one warrior to another, I present to you my most cherished possession: my sword. My love of corps and country will never be broken or diminished, but now it is my love of family that I must honor most with my decision to resign. I have taken up arms for my country and my corps in two wars and it has been my privilege to serve beside real heroes- some of whom are here today. Even as I step aside it is my greatest hope that young men and women continue to follow in the footsteps of those who have gone before
To push themselves
To rise to the challenge of becoming Marines. Our country needs you and we will always be grateful to you. The Marine Officer's sword represents the highest ideals of military excellence and professionally, one of my greatest achievements. Honor, courage and commitment are principles by which we Marines LIVE AND DIE. You, Congressman Jones, through your actions, have demonstrated that you live by those principles as well. And I, for one am grateful that you do. Thank you Sir, may god bless you and your family and may God Bless America. |
| Posted by:Seafarious |
| #4 Military life is stressful for the family and double when we are in harms way. I can't imagine the stress that young man and his family have gone through. May success and fortune follow him whatever his next career turns out to be. Too bad they (the press) didn't consider him innocent until proven guilty. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2005-06-03 20:13 |
| #3 I don't think he quit in a fit of pique. With something like this hanging over him, he would have served out his days as a lieutenant. I don't think that's fair to him or to his wife. I think he's done his bit for Uncle Sam. It's time for someone else to take up the baton. Here's what seems to be a balanced profile of Lt. Pantano from New York magazine. His wife will appreciate not having to deal with the stress of military life - he signed up after he got hitched. |
| Posted by: Zhang Fei 2005-06-03 16:47 |
| #2 Can this be a beginning of a real Jack Ryan? |
| Posted by: Thinert Phineck9788 2005-06-03 16:17 |
| #1 Semper Fi, Lieutenant. And thanks. |
| Posted by: Seafraious 2005-06-03 15:58 |