I don't know about you, but I have practically been hyperventilating since I heard about the charges filed against Marine 2nd Lt. Ilario Pantano.

I can scarcely catch my breath when I think about the young New Yorker, who served his country honorably during the first Gulf War and re-enlisted to serve his country again following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

I am praying that he his exonerated, that the Marine Corps recognizes the terrible injustice done in charging him and that, appropriately, those responsible for prosecuting Lt. Pantano are themselves disciplined and dismissed from their positions of authority, which have been grossly abused.

As Lt. Pantano tells the story, he was summoned April 15, 2004, while serving in Iraq, to check out a reported terrorist hiding spot. He led his platoon to the site and found ammunition, weapons and bomb-making materials.

As the Marines were securing the building, they noticed two Iraqis running from the site to a nearby truck. The Marines pursued, shot the tires out and ordered the pair out of the truck. Lt. Pantano told the captives to tear the interior of the truck apart to ensure it was not booby-trapped.

Instead, however, one of the Iraqis made what Pantano determined to be a threatening move. When told to stop, he continued. Pantano shot the two suspected terrorists.

A battlefield investigation cleared Pantano, and he went on to serve with distinction until his tour concluded months later. He even went on to participate in the battle of Fallujah.

But upon returning home, Pantano was informed he was being charged with pre-meditated murder in the deaths of those two Iraqis – a charge that could bring him the death penalty.

Now think about the absurdity of this charge.

If the Marine Corps really thought Lt. Pantano was a murderer, why did it allow him to finish out his tour? Why wasn't he in the brig?

If Pantano actually planned to kill these two Iraqis, why did he shoot out the tires of the vehicle in which they were fleeing? Why wouldn't he have blown up the truck with a rocket-propelled grenade?

What are the new rules of engagement in Iraq? What exactly did Lt. Pantano do wrong? Should he have waited until one of the suspects attacked his troops? What if he had been a suicide bomber?

Have the armchair generals forgotten what kind of enemy we face?

Do we really want our young warriors hesitating in dangerous combat situations?

And what kind of a guy is Lt. Pantano? I don't know him. But I do look forward to meeting him and talking to him when he is able. I have corresponded with him by e-mail, he shows characteristic Marine Corps concern about his buddies, even while he is facing capital charges.

"These are tough times for my family certainly, but my heart breaks for the families of those currently deployed, who can only be disheartened about this situation," he wrote. "I hope it is resolved quickly and positively and I expect that it will be with the continued support of people like you."

Until this charge was leveled against him, Lt. Pantano was, according to his mother, planning to re-enlist for a second tour of duty.

While I feel confident these charges will never stand, I don't understand why they have been filed. I don't understand why the military career of a young hero like Lt. Pantano is being tarnished with outrageous accusations. I don't understand why he and his young family should be "thanked" for their service to our country in such a disgraceful way. I don't understand how we expect to win this global fight for freedom President Bush is talking about by treating our troops so barbarically.

And I also don't understand why I am such a lonely voice expressing outrage over this national disgrace.

Here is the only acceptable resolution of this case: Drop the charges now. Fire the overzealous persecutor. Apologize to Lt. Pantano and grant him a medal for his distinguished and courageous service to his country.