Last Wednesday, after waiting for the longest 5 ½ hours of our lives, Colonel Foy, the president of the jury, read these words, “We find the defendant not guilty of all charges.”  Both Mark and I felt as if our hearts had stopped beating in our chests.  The flood of absolute relief that came next, along with the tears, ended a nightmare that had gone on for well over two years.  Susan and Andrew could finally begin the rest of their lives, free and proud in the knowledge that they had fought a good fight and that the truth had, indeed, set them free.

During the course of the investigations, the Article 32, the Motion Hearings, and finally the Court-Martial, we learned many things about our son-in-law.  He is a brave, honorable and proud Marine.  We heard testimony from one heroic Marine after another, including every one of his combat commanders – we heard from real heroes, men who had fought valiantly for our country and our freedom.  Men who are quiet, and calm, and filled with the knowledge that they can, and did, get the job done – and aren’t looking for any recognition or fame – because that was their job, and they are United States Marines.  We learned that Andrew was an exceptional Marine, intelligent, brave, considerate of the men who worked for him, and respectful of his superiors.  We learned about the risks he took on a daily basis.  We learned that Andrew is personally responsible for placing over 200 insurgents in Abu Graib prison, and we were told that as a consequence hundreds of Marine families did not have to be told that their loved ones had been killed by insurgents.  In the words of one Marine’s testimony, “I trust him with all I got, sir.”

Throughout the trial Mark and I were acutely aware of all of your prayers. They were like a comforting blanket, and we can honestly tell you that we felt His loving presence with us at all times.  We don’t know how we would have survived without those prayers, your constant emails and phone calls, your loving support.  We will be forever grateful.

Our prayers now continue for the two remaining Marines, SSgt Frank Wuterich and LtCol Chessani and their families, as the truth about the Haditha incident becomes evident to all.  Please keep the family of LCpl Miguel Terrazas, the Marine killed at Haditha, in your prayers.

Andrew and Suzy are in the process of packing up, one last time, and moving here to Arizona.  They have rented a condo, and Suzy will start her third medical school year in July.  They are so very excited about finally being able to be in their first home, using their possessions – they have lived in 12 different furnished apartments in their short marriage!  We are hoping that he will finally be awarded that Bronze Star and perhaps even promoted to Captain – both put on hold when he was charged in December, 2006.  We are hoping they will take that honeymoon, finally, or even agree to reschedule that canceled wedding reception.

In closing, my friend Sandi sent me the following from Psalms 15:1-5, and I think it sums up Andrew perfectly:

1 Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?
2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart
3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman
4 who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the Lord, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
5 who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Once again, our love and thanks to each and every one of you. 

Chris and Mark
Proud mother-in-law and father-in-law of Lt Andrew Grayson