Slain Marine Immigrated to U.S., Alone, as a Teen(Hero from Guatemala died for America)

LA Times, via cantonrep.com ^ | 3/.24/03 | LA Times

[Diddle E. Squat]

LOS ANGELES — Long before he ever traveled to the Persian Gulf, Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Gutierrez was acquainted with perilous and uncertain journeys.

Lanky, quiet and full of ambition, Gutierrez, 22, is believed to be the second U.S. serviceman to die in combat, an American Marine with a distinctive Southern California background: He was among thousands of Central American immigrants who for years have made their way north in dangerous personal odysseys.

At age 16, he had traveled by himself from his home in Guatemala, making his way across Mexico into the United States, where he was taken in by an older couple, who late in life had begun sheltering immigrant children.

Gutierrez made the 2,000-mile journey across the continent as one of many underage immigrants who come here from Latin America each year, seeking family members or jobs.

[merry10]

He was an illegal alien who wanted to do his part, joined the marines and was one of the first to give his life, and you SLAM him? How do you know his first contact here was welfare? That is absolutely not true of many immigrants. What a nasty post. I hope I am not entirely in your world. Guess what, I am in Southern California, where I see immigrants and yes, maybe illegal aliens working the fields picking lettuce and strawberries. This is backbreaking work and they make a pittance, and we have many many Americans who think they are too damn good to do this work. I feel sick after reading your post.

[merry10]

“wanted to give the United States what the United States gave to him. He came with nothing. This country gave him everything.”

that was in the article Henchman. Also I see nothing that says he was a welfare handout. Where is your proof that he was on welfare?

[dennisw]

He was an illegal alien border jumper but I give him credit for making the ultimate sacrifice. The downside are the millions of illegals who have ZERO allegiance to the USA.

I honor him but not the LATimes which is an advocate for illegal immigration.

[hchutch]

If that's how you want to think, more power to you.

But I am willing to bet my original (pulled) post on that matter will prove to be accurate. If Michelle Malkin (who has thrown her share of cheap shots and made attempts to score cheap political points herself) proves me wrong, I'll admit so on this forum.

[tenthirteen]

How do you know he was an illegal alien border jumper? Perhaps the family that took him in sponsored him here. So, you know? My parents came here from another country and were sponsored by others.

[Tancredo Fan]

There

Huh?

[Tancredo Fan]

How do you know he was an illegal alien border jumper?

Because all the major news networks said so.

[semaj]

Semper Fidelis. Would that our american-born youth comport themselves half as well as this young Marine.

"Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13

[cowgirlcutie]

This just reduced me to tears...not only in sadness but in pride. My grandfather came here with nothing and made his own way also and gave back all he could. God bless this fine young man and may he rest in peace.

[pfflier]

He came here seeking opportunity that he would never have at home. He has passed the torch of freedom to us. We need to keep it burning brightly.

Fly an American flag in his name.

[mabelkitty]

Story very similar to Miguel Estrada.

I'm loving these new immigrants to our country.

[FITZ]

He was an illegal alien

Is there a source that specifically says he was an illegal alien while in the Marines? It seems possible that he had at some point become a legal resident or even an American citizen ---if so it's unfair to call him an illegal. Obviously this man was certainly willing to give something to this country ---but his death can't justify open borders and all those immigrants living off welfare or committing felony document fraud and identity theft ---calling him an illegal when he probably wasn't when he died is using his death in a very sickening way.

[mabelkitty]

This isn't about race, so go bait elsewhere.

This is about American heroes.

[Cap'n Crunch]

Rest in peace Lance Corporal Gutierrez.

Semper Fi

[Centurion2000]

Definately bury him as a citizen and Marine.

Semper Fi

[usmcobra]

There are No Illegal Aliens in the Corps only Marines.

Semper Fi Mi Hermano

Excepto mí un buen punto en la escena del cielo

[OBone]

How I hate the wars that pluck the flower of our youth, but how I love those that made the ultimate sacrafice.

[Luis Gonzalez]

Who's talking about race?

Who's baiting?

[Luis Gonzalez]

BTW...

Why aren't you slamming the ones who are actually tarnishing his sacrifice?