June 23, 2006

A Letter from Merry Pantano

Dear Patriotic and Loyal Visitors,

We thank you for your constant interest in the efforts of DefendtheDefenders.org, Inc., for your contributions and support, for your visits to our website, for communicating your thoughts to your elected representatives and local newspapers, and for passing the word among your friends and acquaintances.

DefendtheDefenders.org, Inc.'s position concerning the investigations and charges against our Marines and soldiers is: We want our Marines and soldiers to have civilian defense lawyers at their side. If they have been charged or will be charged because of their actions based on split second decisions made in combat, we will do our best to raise awareness and funds for their civilian defense. We can do no less for those Marines and soldiers who have voluntarily put their lives at risk many times over in order to protect our freedoms and provide freedoms for others.

In May 2005, my son, former Marine 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano, was cleared of each and every charge filed against him by the USMC. Thank you all for your efforts in our successful grassroots movement to clear his name.

DefendtheDefenders.org, Inc. has continued to raise awareness and funds for the civilian defense of Army PFC Edward Richmond, Jr. who was given a three year sentence for killing an Iraqi under combat circumstances. On June 23, 2006, PFC Richmond was released on parole from military prison in Ft. Sill, OK, where he served two years of a three year sentence. We all share the joy of this wonderful news with the Richmond family.

We are still waiting a response to the Appellate Brief filed January 17, 2006, in the United States Army Court of Criminal Appeals by Mr. Charles Gittins. The complete Brief is available for your information by downloading under "New Cases" where a summary of the Brief is also posted along with the background story on PFC Richmond.

Appellate Brief ICO United States v. Richmond (PDF)

On April 6, 2006, clemency and/or parole for PFC Edward Richmond was discussed at the Army Clemency Board meeting held in Arlington, VA. The Richmond family, Mr. Charles Gittins, Esq., and myself, representing DefendtheDefenders.org, were in attendance and presented our case for PFC Edward Richmond.

At the general court-martial held in Tikrit, Iraq, PFC Edward Richmond had no civilian legal counsel representing him. He was represented solely by military counsel. He was fortunate to have had by his side his father, a former Air Force pilot who had managed at his own expense to get to Tikrit, a hot combat zone.

Again, thank you for your support and belief in our troops,

Merry K. Gregory Pantano
Proud mother of Marine Second Lieutenant Ilario Pantano
Founder, DefendtheDefenders.org

Copyright © 2005-2008, DefendtheDefenders.org, Inc. All rights reserved.