Can’t Have it Both Ways

By lex, on September 18th, 2008

Here’s what we know about Rafael Peralta, Sergeant of Marines, San Diego Native, lost in action Fallujah, Iraq, November 2004: That he was born in Mexico City in 1979, immigrated to this country as a teenager, decorated the wall of his bedroom with the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights, joined the Marine Corps the day he got his green card, served with the heavily engaged 1st Batallion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd MARDIV, III MEF in Fallujah, volunteered for the exceptionally dangerous duty of house clearing during the assault on the insurgent-controlled city, was mortally wounded in an ambush, and clutched a grenade thrown by an insurgent to himself, taking the blast on his own body and saving the lives of several Marines alongside him. We know that his grateful camerades and inspired chain of command recommended him for our nation’s highest military award. That his example of courage and sacrifice was praised by the president in his 2005 Memorial Day speech. That a movie was made for the History Channel – in English and Spanish – telling his tale.