Martin Terrazas' family worry about Marines of Haditha

Houston Chronicle:

When it came Martin Terrazas' turn to say a few words over his son's grave on the first Memorial Day since his death, the grieving father bent down, kissed the headstone and whispered, "Don't worry. Everything's all right."

Yet just days after the mournful ceremony at Fort Bliss National Cemetery, the Terrazas family was reminded that all is not well surrounding the death of Marine Lance Cpl. Miguel Terrazas last year in Haditha, a predominantly Sunni Arab city northwest of Baghdad considered one of the most hostile areas in Iraq.

On Thursday, Martin Terrazas met with military investigators looking into whether members of his son's unit killed as many as two dozen Iraqis, including unarmed women and children, after a powerful car bomb killed the 20-year-old Marine.

"I have no idea what happened afterward. I just know about the death of my son," Terrazas said when asked later what he told investigators from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. "I don't know anything that could help them."

The military's ongoing investigation into events of Nov. 19 is deeply troubling to the Terrazas family, which has a tradition of service in the Marines that several younger members want to continue. They are concerned about what the probe means for the Marines, but more importantly, they fear the controversy has overshadowed Terrazas' death.

"There's a lot of things I've been hearing. I don't know what to believe. I'm not passing judgment on the Marines," said Terrazas, who said his son told him the insurgents sometimes used women and children as human shields. "It's a little bit too early for me to think of these things. My heart aches for my son." (Emphasis added.)

Other family members say they too have been struggling with the high-profile case.

"My wife and I feel like our grandson is not being left to rest in peace," said Jorge Terrazas, 65, an Army veteran and retired truck driver. "Now this will never leave us alone and it's been escalating."

His house is filled with photos and Marine Corps memorabilia, with one bedroom nothing short of a shrine to his grandson. In a wood display case rests the Purple Heart awarded after his death and other medals bestowed upon him during his two tours of duty in Iraq. Above them hangs Miguel Terrazas' dress blue uniform with its crisp white hat and ceremonial sword.

On the adjacent wall, next to a crucifix and the flag that had been draped on his casket, hangs a tribute banner signed by the Marines in his unit. It was presented to the family during a ceremony May 10 at Camp Pendleton, Calif., during which Terrazas and five others from the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division were honored.

Terrazas' commanding officer, Lt. Luke McConnell, who was relieved of his command in April, wrote on it: "It was an honor to serve with you over there. I will never forget your courage, character and heart. God bless you. Semper fi." Others called Terrazas "TJ," a nickname buddies gave him on a trip to Tijuana, Mexico, just across the border from the base.

A quilt hangs on another wall. "It's a Marine Comfort Quilt," explained Jorge Terrazas. "They send it from one family to another and they add a piece." The condolences and prayers came from California, Kansas, Arizona and a dozen other states.

"We're proud of him, very proud," Terrazas said, as his eyes filled with tears.

...

There is more. Be prepared, it is a tear jerker. TJ has a great family.