Those are some of the things we can do to help their case on a grand scale. But what can we do for these men personally?

• Send them letters. One of the things that lifts their spirits more than anything while confined in the brig is to hear from Americans who believe in them, who honor them and pray for them and support them. It costs a few cents to send a letter and it means the world to them. Please, if you do nothing else, do this.

• Contribute to their defense fund. Civilian attorneys, even at discounted rates, cost money. Experts cost money. These men are literally fighting for their lives, and can use everything you can possibly give. Their families are cleaning out retirement funds, refinancing homes, and doing everything they possibly can to scrape enough money so their sons and husbands get a fair trial, but this dog-and-pony show looks like it will go on a while. Go to The Warrior Fund and donate today! (www.Warrior-Fund.org)

• Send them books. What if you were in an 8×8 cell for 23 hours a day and were innocent? Sending these guys things to read can at the very least keep time moving for them. PFC John Jodka likes conservative political books, like Ann Coulter and Sean Hannity. He just finished reading Ilario Pantano's Warlord. Keep in mind that if you do send books, they need to come directly from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, etc., so you'll need to send them as a gift. They can share books, as well, so sending one of them a book means that the other men will probably be able to read it as well.

The Innocent 8, at this moment while you read this, are sitting in cells about the same size as your bathroom. They have been there for weeks with no recourse, no way to fight for themselves, no way to defend themselves against these charges.

They have stood for us. We owe it to them to stand now. The fight is uphill, and there are those who will not listen.

Many people want to see the United States fail as a country, and would even like to see these Marines die. But we know in our hearts what the difference is between right and wrong, and we sit here today because of men like them.

I challenge you to stand up for the rights we enjoy. I implore you to stand for these men. I ask you to do what is right. Demand an independent Congressional hearing into the Hamdaniya 8.

If we don't, and these men are found guilty, the Marine Corps will no longer be an institution of honor, of duty and devotion to Country. It will simply be a long-forgotten ideal, a reminder of the past greatness of our nation.

A defeat in the courtroom for the Pendleton 8 means a defeat for our country in the War on Terror.

The enemy already uses our media, and to know that they can succeed in killing Marines simply by making up stories about them…if this case ends in a conviction, then we have already lost.

Read this article again, carefully. There IS NO EVIDENCE!

Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking. - Ferdinand Foch, at the Battle of the Marne, 1918

Write to them at: Insert their name(s) in the brackets: [ ] Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Base (Brig) Camp Pendleton, CA 92055

These men are: SGT Lawrence G. Hutchins III CPL Marshall L. Magincalda CPL Trent Thomas LCPL Tyler A. Jackson LCPL Robert B. Pennington LCPL Jerry A. Shumate Jr HN3 Melson J. Bacos PFC John J. Jodka III.

Semper Fidelis
Ricardo