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ANN ARBOR, MI – Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chessani, USMC, will be arraigned in a Camp Pendleton courtroom on Friday, November 16, 2007, at 9:00 AM Pacific Standard Time almost two years to the date of the anniversary of the so-called “Haditha Massacre.”

Chessani faces criminal charges that he failed to properly report and investigate a possible “law of war” violation stemming from a November 19, 2005, house-to-house battle involving four Marines from LtCol Chessani’s battalion.  If convicted, LtCol Chessani faces 2 ½ years imprisonment, dismissal (dishonorable discharge) from the Marine Corps, and loss of all retirement benefits.

The Thomas More Law Center is representing LtCol Chessani alongside the detailed military defense lawyers.  LtCol Chessani is a 20 year veteran and the father of 5 young children (expecting a sixth shortly), who served in the Panama Invasion, the Persian Gulf War, and three tours in Iraq, including the Second Battle of Fallujah.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center, commented, “Every patriotic American has a stake in the outcome of this case.  A U.S. Army Colonel and an Army General conducted two separate investigations, and came to the same conclusion:  there was no ‘massacre’ and no ‘cover-up.’  Yet the government still pursued a multi-million dollar investigation in order to appease an anti-war politician and the ‘blame America first’ media. Now, we have the absurd situation of LtCol Chessani being charged with failing to report and investigate a crime that never occurred.  Every American should be outraged at the way this dedicated Marine and his family are being treated by the nation he so loyally defended.”

The charges against LtCol Chessani were incited by an inflammatory Time magazine headline accusing Marine enlisted men of “massacring innocent civilians.”  The story was planted by known terrorist propaganda operatives, and has since been discredited.  Anti-war Congressman John Murtha, who holds major influence over military appropriations, in an unprecedented action publicly accused Marine officers of a “cover-up” and enlisted  men of killing “in cold-blood” even before the investigation of the incident was completed.  Subsequent investigations have specifically found no “cover-up” at any level of command, and have exonerated several of the Marines involved.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.

Throughout our history, America has been protected by patriots who cherished liberty and made great sacrifices to advance the cause of freedom. The brave members of the United States Armed Forces have answered the call to serve our Nation, ready to give all for their country. On Veterans Day, we honor these extraordinary Americans for their service and sacrifice, and we pay tribute to the legacy of freedom and peace that they have given our great Nation.

In times of war and of peace, our men and women in uniform stepped forward to defend their fellow citizens and the country they love. They shouldered great responsibility and lived up to the highest standards of duty and honor. Our veterans held fast against determined and ruthless enemies and helped save the world from tyranny and terror. They ensured that America remained what our founders meant her to be: a light to the nations, spreading the good news of human freedom to the darkest corners of the earth.

Like the heroes before them, today a new generation of men and women are fighting for freedom around the globe. Their determination, courage, and sacrifice are laying the foundation for a more secure and peaceful world.

Veterans Day is dedicated to the extraordinary Americans who protected our freedom in years past, and to those who protect it today. They represent the very best of our Nation. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman has earned the lasting gratitude of the American people, and their service and sacrifice will be remembered forever. In the words of Abraham Lincoln: ” . . . let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the Nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle . . . .” On this Veterans Day, I ask all Americans to express their appreciation to our Nation’s veterans.

With respect for and in recognition of the contributions our service men and women have made to the cause of peace and freedom around the world, the Congress has provided (5 U.S.C. 6103(a)) that November 11 of each year shall be set aside as a legal public holiday to honor our Nation’s veterans.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim November 11, 2007, as Veterans Day and urge all Americans to observe November 11 through November 17, 2007, as National Veterans Awareness Week. I encourage all Americans to recognize the valor and sacrifice of our veterans through ceremonies and prayers. I call upon Federal, State, and local officials to display the flag of the United States and to support and participate in patriotic activities in their communities. I invite civic and fraternal organizations, places of worship, schools, businesses, unions, and the media to support this national observance with commemorative expressions and programs.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord two thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

ANN ARBOR, MI – The Thomas More Law Center, a national Christian legal advocacy group, announced today it is reinvigorating the “Lieutenant Colonel Chessani Defense Fund” in order to fully prepare for the upcoming general courts-martial for LtCol Chessani.  The defense fund was originally set up in response to the flood of calls and emails from people wishing to support this Marine Corps officer in his politicized legal battle.

Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chessani is accused of criminal wrong-doing in the high profile case arising out of a terrorist ambush in Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005, in which one Marine was killed and several others wounded.  As Marines moved in on the attacking terrorists who were firing from nearby homes, several civilians were tragically killed.

Months later, after inflammatory media articles and comments by an antiwar politician, LtCol Chessani, the battalion commander of the Marines involved in the fighting, was accused of failing to properly report and investigate the incident.

He faces a maximum punishment of two and a half years in prison, dismissal (an officer’s equivalent of a dishonorable discharge), and the loss of his retirement benefits.

The Thomas More Law Center, based in Ann Arbor, MI, agreed to represent LtCol Chessani at no charge.

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Law Center commented, “LtCol Chessani is a devout family man and Christian, who dutifully defended our country for twenty years, including three tours in Iraq, Panama, and the Persian Gulf War.  His expectant wife and five young children should not have to worry about finances to ensure that he receives the best defense possible.  I can think of no better way to honor a veteran than by helping in the defense of this worthy veteran.”

Law Center spokesperson Brian Rooney stated, “LtCol Chessani has dedicated his life to the service of his country.  Had LtCol Chessani hired a private for-profit law firm to represent him, his legal bills would be approaching a million dollars at the end of the day – certainly out of reach for a career military man with five young children and a sixth on the way.”

“It is unfortunate that LtCol Chessani is being made a political scapegoat,” added Rooney.

Rooney is asking once again for concerned Americans to help defend LtCol Chessani: “You can be a direct help in his defense by mailing a donation to the Thomas More Law Center at 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive, P.O. Box 393, Ann Arbor MI 48106, or by simply visiting our website (www.thomasmore.org) and clicking on the ‘LtCol Chessani Defense Fund’ icon.  Please indicate your donation is for the ‘Defense Fund.’”

The Law Center, working with assigned military defense counsel, has already worked through the first part of the court-martial process at the Article 32 Hearing, the military’s version of the grand jury.  A tentative date for the general court-martial is set for April 28, 2008.  There will be an arraignment and several motion hearing dates from now until the April 2008 date.

The two Law Center attorneys assigned to handle the case, Robert Muise and Brian Rooney, are both former Marine officers.  Muise is a former infantry officer and judge advocate who served in the Persian Gulf War, and Rooney is a former judge advocate and Iraq War veteran.  Brandon Bolling, who recently joined the Law Center will be consulting on the case.  Brandon is a former Marine Judge Advocate and veteran of Afghanistan and Africa.

The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through litigation, education, and related activities.  It does not charge for its services.  The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations, and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization.  You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at (734) 827-2001 or visit our website at www.thomasmore.org.