Posted on 08/24/2003 8:24:44 PM PDT by Born Conservative
LOCAL RALLY FOR MILITARY COPS IN KUWAIT
By LANE FILLER
WILKES-BARRE - The guest of honor at Saturday's rally was not expected to show, and she didn't, but thanks to the world of modern technology she was there in much more than spirit.
Master Sgt. Lisa Girman attended the gathering on the Luzerne County Courthouse lawn, held to support her and three fellow soldiers and organized by best friend Robyn Zukoski, via cell phone from Kuwait. Girman and her accused comrades were sent to Kuwait after being charged with abusing Iraqi POWs in a May 12 incident.
Girman, 35, a state police officer stationed in Monroe County who hails from Pittston, is a member of the 320th Military Police Battalion, normally based in Hanover Township but currently serving in Iraq.
The three other soldiers involved are Staff Sgt. Scott McKenzie, Clearfield; Sgt. Shawna Edmondson, South Abington Township; and Spc. Tim Canjar, Madison Township. All four are reservists. They are accused of assaulting Iraqi prisoners, punching them, kicking them, and in a few cases, breaking their bones.
Via e-mail and phone calls to friends and family, all four have repeatedly said that they acted only in self-defense, and that the 44 prisoners being shipped into Camp Bucca, the largest POW camp in Iraq, were rebelling.
Approximately 200 people, family, friends and supporters who have never met any of the four, showed up on a gorgeous day to back the accused soldiers. Flags waved in the breeze as attendees waved their hands in disbelief at the treatment these American soldiers are receiving.
"We found out about this two months after it happened, because they are under a gag order," said Lisa's father, Joe Girman. "She's sounded OK lately on the phone, but she and the others have no weapons, are under house arrest, and in the beginning, it sounds like they were mistreated."
Joe, 70, a Korean War veteran of the Navy, admitted there can be cases where American soldiers go overboard, but felt this was not such a case.
"She's been a state trooper for over a decade, she served in Desert Storm and was wounded, she knows what she's doing," Joe said. "Plus, there is no mistreating anybody in a war zone. They were just doing what they had to do."
Family members of all four soldiers spoke, and concurred with Joe Girman. "We spoke to her this morning and she's nervous about the trial," Linda Edmondson said of daughter Shawna. "She is a security officer at the University of Scranton and the smilingest, most cheerful woman you could meet, and she would never attack anyone for no reason."
Mike McKenzie, brother of Scott, pointed out that his sibling volunteered to serve in both Bosnia and Korea so married reservists wouldn't have to go, and said, "When he went to Korea, it was to teach people how to treat and deal with POWs. He has been decorated and his career (with the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections) has been commendable."
Sarah Keating, the sister of Tim Canjar, cradled her son Rylee in her arms and said, "He's 21 years old and he enlisted after 9-11. He was so excited when he was called up. We're a very close family, and we just want him home."
The soldiers face a preliminary hearing Wednesday. If the cases go to trial, they could terminate with no punishment, a letter of reprimand, or harsher penalties, the worst being up to five years in prison.
Her comments relayed to the microphone via cell phone, Lisa Girman said, "If it weren't for all the support of everyone back home, I'd be lost and so would everybody else. I believe in the Army, I believe in this nation, and I know that no one can hurt anyone in this nation as long as they have faith in God, family and their friends."
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