Amen.

Thank you for the insight into a great American Hero!

Because my trackbacks have been temporarily disabled, I just wanted to document who has linked to this post. If anyone knows of any I’ve missed, please leave a comment or send me an email. In alphabetical order:

Blogs of War

Daou Report

Dog Snot Diaries

Little Miss Attila

Mudville Gazette

Right-Wing & Right Minded

The Crowe

I did...

The actions of Sgt. Peralta are so exceptional and of so much valor I believe he should get the Congressional Medal of Honor. I know the Marines in all have done such a great and courageous job by going door to door and house to house that they are all heroes but I also believe they would be proud when one of their own is honored with our highest medal for such outstanding deeds. God Bless him and his family.

Ralph Short
Garden City, South Carolina

Is there any doubt that we lost one of the best and brightest here..God bless you Sgt. Peralta

I was also a friend of Rafael. I met him during the summer of 97. I had just completed my enlistment in the US Navy that January and moved back to San Diego to begin my studies at San Diego City College. That summer I decided to take a soccer class to pass the time and would meet him on the soccer field when he approached me and asked if I would be interested in playing in one of the local soccer leagues. I was surprised, to say the least, because it was my first formal soccer class I had taken and not very skilled. Now that I look back and think about it, I sincerely believe it had more to do with his character than my soccer skills that he approached me and asked me to play with the league team. That was just the way "Pony," as we called him, was.

Fast forward to now... From the time we left the last soccer game of that season I never lost contact with Rafael. I remember one day passing each other on the road and actually turning around and stopping our cars on the side of the road next to the MCRD and talking because we hadn't seen each other in a while. I also remember last speaking to Rafael at the local barber shop in Golden Hills (San Diego) that I continue to go to to this day - ironically that is where I learned of his passing.

I still on ocassion talk to the guys that played on that soccer team that season. For a number of them I was the one that broke the sad news that we had lost a friend. We talked about how our team, Aztlan, won the league championships that season... We talked about how, as team captain, he led us to that victory... We remembered how, before each game, he would take a knee and consult with his higher power... We talked about how much we miss him... We talk about how we can't forget him.

I now have a son who is 4 years old that knows Rafaels name. Although he doesn't know Rafael personally he knows that he is a hero. When he asks why, I tell him that he sacrificed himself for others. I've taken him to his burial place so that he recognizes where our true heros are laid to rest. He may not understand yet but when he does he will have a clear picture of and a person to look up to - his name will be Rafael Peralta. On ocassion he randomly wispers to me, "Daddy, Rafael is a hero...", and he winks his eye. The only thing I can respond with is, "Yes, he truly is."

Semper Fi old friend... You will not be forgotten.

I almost forgot why I posted but I have a picture of the team that season and would be honored to let others see my friend as I knew him. Please let me know where I can e-mail it.

Salvador Arellano

With great respect to this Marine, he is what Marines are made of "Semper Fi", and deserves the Medal Of Honor, he is an American Hero that everyone should hear about. I served in Viet Nam so I can relate. My sympthies to the Saldivar family.
Rest In Peace My Brother.

Last Spring I read "The Badge of Honour" where there is an excerpt of Bradley's book. Very worth a book. Such a naturally born "Sprit de Corps"!
Rafael Peralta death and what little insight is left of his life, is compelling. When I studied with the Jesuit fathers, a saying of Saint Ignatius stuck: "Words may move, deeds draft you."
I have thought about this gallant and noble inmigrant -as American as anyone can get to be- since I read your story.
It might be of interest that the most known bullfighting horseman of our country hold his same name, Don Rafael Peralta.
One just can guess what he could have lived if he had not dared to go through that door first. I offer little but I'll remember him and tell my little daughter of this man.
Regards to his family,
Ignacio Wenley Palacios.
Spain.

All I can say is that Sgt Peralta is the reason that we have the motto of Semper Fidelis! "Always Faithful" he was faithful to his Marines and to his country. He knew what it meant to be a leader, and when leading, the life of those who serve under you, is what's important.

Semper Fi!

Respectfully,
Sergeant Joe M. Reynoso USMC

I knew Rafa personaly and grew up with him. That's what we called him growing up "Rafa". He was one of my brothers best friends. He was also my mothers good friends godson. So naturally we all became good friends.

Even though I hadn't spoken to Rafa since he left for Hawaii, I still consider him a true friend.

Rafa struggled as a kid as do we all to figure out who he was. But he eventually found his true niche. He was a MARINE, and American Hero. He was right with GOD when he left this earth so I can proudly say: I'll see you in heaven when I get there Rafa.

Godspeed to a man who i personally knew and touched my life may he never be forgotten for me he wont ever be...tu eres mi inspiracion Junior

Rafael Peralta

You woke yourself for that day of battle,
Not knowing what would become of your day,
Herded your brothers as if they were cattle,
Your heart skipped beats as you began to pray.

Wondering what your future could bring,
You fought for the country that held you so free,
Your family in heart as your soul shall sing,
Everything in mind but not to flee,

Protecting the lives you held close in time,
You would do the best that a Marine can,
As a leader you planned to walk that key line,
Hoping to be a good example of man,

The third Marine regiment embraced you,
With tough love and intense training,
You are chosen among the prized few,
Sick for home your heart was raining,

To combat you took your peers to keep,
Life and living we marched with fear,
We were taught we live what we reap,
Seeing in thine enemies eyes a tear,

You took your brothers place with death,
As only some of them could have,
Approaching the door with consent and stress,
Plunging inside as a leader would have,

Those three lead death angels flew into you,
Without remorse you lay in dirt content,
You saved the lives of Marines so few,
And opened the door for others in event,

As you laid in near unconscious agony,
That pill of infinite ending roles in,
Pulling unto your soul you kept U.S. free,
The pain now is held with your kin,

Rafael, heaven restores you in life,
As your brethren carry you out,
As your medals were sent with strife,
Hoo-rah the band of brothers shout,

Continuing the journey your platoon,
Following our leader as his soul leads,
Around every corner we hear a boom,
Knowing you would’ve never thought to leave,

Pushing for our goal we kept you in mind,
We took time to reflect on what’s gone by,
Remembering the loss the day you died,
Knowing nothings sublime, we know you fly,

We must overcome, matter what the cost,
You gave us your rest and it was enough,
You overcame, and life was your loss,
Sacrificing as if you would try to slough,

Home you came covered and dressed,
Your story lives forever in our homes,
Passed to generations held and blessed,
You will always be the center of foams,

Keeping your promise to your leaders,
You fought with outstanding grace,
For the people, constant readers,
An everlasting image of your face,

Standing among the brave, Rafael Peralta,
Protecting who are free, Rafael Peralta
Sacrificing life for many, Rafael Peralta,
Who’s history is eternal, Rafael Peralta.

I wrote this for Rafaels' family and fellow Marines..

Stephen Sheldon

i loved that poem and months later im still trying to move on from the loss of such a wonderful man

Thank you all for not forgetting about my brother, it really means a lot to me, my family, and him. To me he is still alive, i hung his uniform in my closet waiting for for to get back to work, I know he's alive because of all you who talk, think and knew him. I am very proud of him, he's my hero, These past 6 months have not been easy, I've been dreaming about him alot i dream that he comes home with his uniform nice and ironed like always and says that his death was a mistake, i laugh and welcome him back but then i wake up and (it's an unexplainable feeling) im just so dissapointed. As i get ready for school I gaze at his uniform and think about him, its not easy. his platoon arrived a couple of weeks ago in hawaii, i wondered how things would of been if he had not opened that door, he would of given us that smile, we would go back to California, have lunch, and at night he would of gone to mexico to party with his friends, on Nov. 7 a week before his death he wrote me a letter he said " if anything happens to me just remember that I already lived my life to the fullest and i am happy with what i lived" " if your lonely just think in god and that some day we will all be together again" I hope so and brother you better be waiting for me because im coming as soon as some people think ONLY YOU KNOW

America is blessed to have such honored heroes as Sgt. Rafael Peralta and his family. I am eternally grateful for showing me what it means to truly love and respect our indomintable American spirit.

My tears flow in joy knowing I belong to a nation filled with such noble Americans.

God Bless America

NYC, NY

my brother was one of sgt. peralta's good friend and he would always come to my house i remember he was a good guy i remember the day of my birthday which was may 5 like we all know 5 de mayo he came to my house with a big red truck and a really big really big mexican flag hanging on the back that he had just bought when he was crossing the border and we all left to downtown and he was just crusing showing his mexican pride. just wanted to say how much we miss you and well never forget you love always the haro family ramon, dennise, addy, sam, mom & dad