Update - Florida soldier who wed Iraqi faces discharge

[soup]

PENSACOLA - A Florida National Guardsman has been reprimanded and will be discharged over his marriage to an Iraqi woman while on a foot patrol in Baghdad, his lawyer said Monday.

Army Sgt. Sean Blackwell, 27, is being punished for divulging the time and location of the patrol to his bride, Ehdaa, and the Iraqi judge who married them, but he avoided a possible court-martial for dereliction of duty and disobeying orders, Pensacola attorney Richard Alvoid said.

"The more they punish him, the more negative publicity the military likely will receive," Alvoid said. "He is guilty of falling in love."

Alvoid had no information on a second Florida Guardsman, Cpl. Brett Dagen, 37, who married another Iraqi woman in a double ceremony during a break on the same patrol Aug. 17 after their commanding officer tried to block the weddings. Both women are physicians.
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/12/02/State/Florida_soldier_who_w.shtml

[davhill]

1. We should all give this brave couple our support

If there is anyway of helping him bringing his bride home and showing everyone that love is more important than war.

[Yupster]

2. But I don't think he's in trouble for

getting married.

What I read is that he's in trouble for telling Iraqi civilians where and when his patrol would be going. That way they could arrange the wedding party.

On the other hand, I sure wouldn't want to be on a patrol looking for ambushes and then get told that one of the other soldiers told some civilians which route we were taking and when we were going. That's just asking for an ambush.

[Jacobin]

3. COOL. A new way to get home from IraqNam

Marry an Iraqi!!

Pass it on.