Posted on 12/01/2003 5:27:13 PM PST by 11th_VA
PENSACOLA, Fla. (AP) -- An American soldier has been reprimanded and will be discharged for taking a break from a foot patrol in Baghdad to marry an Iraqi woman, his lawyer said Monday.
Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, is being punished for divulging the time and location of the patrol to his bride and the Iraqi judge who married them, his attorney said. The Florida National Guardsman avoided a possible court-martial for dereliction of duty and disobeying orders.
Blackwell received a written reprimand in advance of the discharge, attorney Richard Alvoid said.
"The more they punish him, the more negative publicity the military likely will receive,'' he said. "He is guilty of falling in love.''
Florida Guard spokesman Lt. Col. Ron Tittle said he had no word on disciplinary action against Blackwell or a second Florida guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, who married another Iraqi woman in a double ceremony during a break on the same patrol Aug. 17. Both women are physicians.
The soldiers, attached to the 1st Armored Division, have been in Iraq since April. Both were Christians who converted to Islam before they married.
A division spokesman in Baghdad, Capt. Jason Beck, had no immediate comment on the soldiers' status. Blackwell's mother, Vickie McKee, said her son has told her he could be discharged and sent home by Christmas.
The Army has not permitted Blackwell to see his bride since the wedding but recently allowed them to resume contact by telephone, McKee said.
"He's a little ticked off at the government right now,'' she said. "I'd hate for him to get a dishonorable discharge because he fell in love.''
McKee said her son told her Dagen and his bride are divorcing under pressure from the wife's parents. Gwen Tutton, Dagen's cousin, said he has told family members to stop speaking to the media.
Alvoid said Blackwell's bride, Ehdaa, has received anti-American threats and may leave the country by Christmas to go to western Europe, where the couple could be reunited. It would take much longer to get her into the United States, he said.
The couple met while Blackwell was on guard duty at the Iraqi Health Ministry.
Alvoid said he soon expects to complete a book deal for Blackwell and his wife, and that a movie may follow.
AP-ES-12-01-03 1839EST
My be some woman ...
Correction: both called themselves Christians - just as so many Americans do.
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Wandered away from his post during time of hostilities. This clown is not a soldier. He's a jackass that was given a uniform.
He's also d@mn lucky he didn't get everyone on his patrol killed.
But whaddaya expect from an NG.
That's not why he's getting punished. This is:
Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, is being punished for divulging the time and location of the patrol to his bride and the Iraqi judge who married them, his attorney said.
Lots of guys fall in love without abandoning their posts and releasing classified information. That is inexcusable. His lack of self-control could have led to the members of his patrol being ambushed. Too bad he's not getting brig time for this.
I am sure that the other soldiers assigned to patrol with moron are relieved that he is removed - I am! I surely would not want my son serving with him - he put everyone on his team at risk because he could only think with his small head!
"Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, is being punished for divulging the time and location of the patrol to his bride and the Iraqi judge who married them, his attorney said. The Florida National Guardsman avoided a possible court-martial for dereliction of duty and disobeying orders. Blackwell received a written reprimand in advance of the discharge, attorney Richard Alvoid said.
I am Christian - REAL Christians know The Light and The Life and do not convert to darkness and death! These men were impersonators - there are millions of them walking around!
Following the crime, Rosenpress correspondent Alain Azria reported, Sellam’s mother said the Muslim perpetrator mounted the stairs, his hands still bloody, and announced his crime. “I have killed my Jew. I will go to heaven,” he reportedly said. The alleged murderer’s family was well known for rabid anti-Semitism, Mrs. Sellam reportedly told Rosenpress, a point confirmed to the news agency by the victim’s brother. Within the previous year, Sellam’s mother reportedly said, the family found a dead rooster outside their apartment door with its throat slit, and their Mezzuza was ripped from their door post. Leaving dead roosters is reportedly a traditional warning of impending murder.
America expects, and gets, a lot more, it seems, than some pony-tailed, sagging-butted easy chair wannabe like you.
There are 72,000 of my fellow citizen soldiers, both in CONUS and across the lake, defending your privilege (it's NOT a right) to be a free moron, and only ignorance can excuse that comment, old man.
Practical experience. Viet Nam.
To be fair, I also had the unplesant experience of serving under an ROTC shavetail over there for a brief period. The NG were a better deal.
NG's are for homeland use, not for foreign deployment. In theory, anyway.
May the Good Lord bless and keep your husband safe.
Two tours in Viet Nam Old Sarge. And you shouldn't say things like that to a vet unless you're willing to say them to his face. Illl be happy to give you the chance. Wanna Meet somewhere?
My second war, too, pal. What are YOU doing for the war, or you lost something while you were there, perhaps?
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