This weekend, the United States Navy christened a new destroyer, the USS Rafael Peralta. The destroyer was named after Marine Sergeant Rafael Peralta, who died sacrificing his life for his fellow soldiers in Iraq. As his citation for the Navy Cross described:
For extraordinary heroism while serving as Platoon Guide with 1st Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 3d Marines, Regimental Combat Team 7, 1st Marine Division, in action against Anti-Coalition Forces in support of Operation AL FAJR, in Fallujah, Iraq on 15 November 2004. Clearing scores of houses in the previous three days, Sergeant Peralta' asked to join an under strength squad and volunteered to stand post the night of 14 November, allowing fellow Marines more time to rest. The following morning, during search and attack operations, while clearing the seventh house of the day, the point man opened a door to a back room and immediately came under intense, close-range automatic weapons fire from multiple insurgents. The squad returned fire, wounding one insurgent. While attempting to maneuver out of the line of fire, Sergeant Peralta was shot and fell mortally wounded. After the initial exchange of gunfire, the insurgents broke contact, throwing a fragmentation grenade as they fled the building. The grenade came to rest near Sergeant Peralta's head. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, Sergeant Peralta reached out and pulled the grenade to his body, absorbing the brunt of the blast and shielding fellow Marines only feet away. Sergeant Peralta succumbed to his wounds. By his undaunted courage, intrepid fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty, Sergeant Peralta reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service."
I am not given to singing the praises of the Iraq War, but Sgt. Peralta's heroism transcends the political concerns surrounding the war. It was an act of true selflessness, born of love of his fellow man and love of America.
My Gut Reaction: I wonder if Donald Trump would have the guts to start with his "rapists and murderers" spiel if confronted with one of the guys Peralta saved.
Analysis below the fold...
Sgt. Peralta's sacrifice is an indelible testament to the love so many immigrants feel for the United States. He not only volunteered to join the military, but also gave his life for his fellow marines.
A letter written by Sgt. Peralta to his brother exemplifies his patriotism:
I have a quote here from the letter where he says, I'm proud to be a Marine, a U.S. Marine, and to defend and protect the freedom and constitution of America. You should be proud of being an American citizen. After all, our dad came to this country and became a citizen. He was proud of his Mexican heritage. He was proud of where he came from as much as he was proud to be an American citizen. He was just the ultimate American. There's nothing more American than to volunteer, fight for your country, and give your life for your men. There's nothing more American than that.
Amidst all the Republican hatemongering and propaganda, we risk forgetting that most immigrants come here because they love the United States and the opportunity it brings them. Many immigrants - including the undocumented - spend thousands of dollars and take potentially deadly risks to come here. Immigrants are an asset, something our nation forgets at its own peril.
I'd rather have a nation with a thousand Sgt. Peraltas than a thousand Donald Trumps.