John Murtha…Dead, but Not Forgotten at 77

From being accused of anti-patriotism to accusations of bribery and corruption, John Murtha never faltered for his state or his country.

Murtha, a 77 year old democratic congressman and ex Vietnam war vet of the marines, died on monday in a Virginia hospital, surrounded by his family and loved ones, leaving many asking “Who will be the next soldier of integrity to follow in his footsteps?”

In response to the war in Iraq, Murtha stated that “Our military’s done everything that has been asked of them,” Murtha said then. “The U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily,” he said. “It’s time to bring the troops home.”

This statement was condemned by the Bush administration at the time as being non-sequitor to blindly perceived patriotism of the time.

Murtha was also probed by an FBI agent posing as a lawyer for a Arab Sheik, who reportedly offered Murtha 50,000 dollars for a visa. Murtha was investigated but never indicted.

As a senior member in charge of the  pentagon’s budget, Murtha brought in nearly 100,000 dollars in revenue for the state of Pennsylvania.

Whether being of accused of anti-patriotism by republicans or all out bribery/treason by the FBI, Murtha never faltered in his integrity and dedication to upholding the very values that America seemed to be avoiding during the Bush Administration….he will be missed but what he stood for will not be forgotten.