Marines discrace their heritage in massacre

I get misty every Veterans day when I watch the guys storming the beaches of Normandy. When I watch the Iwo Jima beach landings and Mt. Sirabachi. (that aint spelled right I know that) When I hear about KheSahn, and the city of Hue in Vietnam it always gets to me. These servicemen in the armed forces have a heritedge that is filled with honor and sacrifice. Something that you think would inspire those that followed in their footsteps to truly be "All They Can Be". What happened in Haditha, Iraq threatens to smear all of those who served in Iraq. Even to a greater extent than Abu Garibe. Much like all the guys in Vietnam being labled baby killers due to a few incidents, the massacre of 24 men women and children threatens to taint the image and endanger all of those over in Iraq right now. 24 civilians were murdered in their homes. Several children were shot draped over their parents trying to sheild them. This was not just a crime of passion. These guys went to 3 different houses. You'd think after you went to the first house, blew some screaming children away, something in your brain would click and you'd come to your senses. Not these guys. They just kept going until everyone was dead. What really gets to me about this incident, which is still under investigation, is the savagry of it. These people were butchered. Little girls, little boys, old men, it didn't matter. Even by Marine accounts, the people killed had only one gun between them. If you went into 3 American houses there would likely have been more guns so that's not an issue. Or it shouldnt be anyway. I realize that this incident is subject to the fog of war. But many of the other incidents of friendly fire, were explained away. Ignored. This time, there is videotaped footage. If it ever leaks, they know that they affects would be devestating to the American credibility over in Iraq. I hope it turns out to not be true. I however can't see how they can justify the killings. I hope those that purpetrated this crime are tortured by it for the rest of their lives. Yeah they were Iraqis but they love their children. They don't want to die. If they were so happy at dying, why the hell do they seem to be in such pain after one of their own is killed. They want to live, just like you and me. Their love for their children is just as deep as ours. They love their fathers and mothers as we would. They aren't animals. Somehow that's the idea people have gotten. And that's why incidents like this happen.