MERIDEN, Conn. (AP) – Ronald Perry and Bill Hesse have never met Marine Staff Sgt. Frank Wuterich, but they consider him a brother.

They will be watching with interest as Wuterich, a native of this small New England town, goes before a military judge in California this week charged with the unpremeditated murder of 18 Iraqi civilians – including women and children – in the village of Haditha.

The two Vietnam-era Marines have donated to Wuterich’s defense fund and helped convince the city’s Marine Corps League to do the same.

Like many this small central Connecticut city, Perry and Hesse view Wuterich not as a killer, but as a patriot and hometown hero, caught in the political turmoil of an unpopular war.

“He was in charge of a group of men, Marines, and it was his job to protect them,” said Perry, sitting in his office above the Marine Corps League’s thrift shop downtown. “As the sergeant in charge, he did, I think, what he was supposed to do. I’ve been in situations relatively close to that in Vietnam, and we did the exact same thing.”

The Iraqis died when a Marine squad launched a house-to-house assault Nov. 19, 2005, following a roadside bomb blast that killed a Marine driver. Wuterich was among four Marines charged with murder, while four others were charged with dereliction of duty for failing to investigate the deaths. Prosecutors have since dropped charges against several Marines in the case.

Wuterich joined the Marines while still attending Platt High School in Meriden in 1997. A musician and actor in high school, he wanted to play in the Marine Corps band, but did not make the cut.

Plenty of flags

In Wuterich’s hometown, a city of about 60,000 that was once a major silver manufacturing center, there are plenty of American flags, yellow ribbons and other visible tributes to the troops in Meriden. In one instance, a home on the Chamberlain Highway displays more than a dozen flags and signs of support behind a red, white, and blue picket fence.

Mayor Mark Benigni said Wuterich and Haditha were the subject of much discussion when news of the killings broke two years ago, but the topic has faded over time.

“People are very supportive of Frank and soldiers in general. It’s not on everybody’s radar screen,” he said. “I would characterize Meriden as a hardworking, blue-collar city, very patriotic.”

Wuterich had never been in combat before Haditha.

His parent’s pride in their son can be seen in their blue ranch-style house with red shutters and white doors. It is decorated with an American flag quilt with the Pledge of Allegiance stitched into it that is attached to the front door. Bumper stickers on the family car read, “My son is a U.S. Marine,” “Semper Fi,” and “Defend the Defenders.”

They did not return telephone calls or respond to knocks on their door seeking comment for this story.

‘No proof’ of intent

Jim Bancroft, with the pro-war group Gathering of Eagles, said the group approached Wuterich’s parents about organizing a rally or fundraiser and were instead directed to a Web site to donate money.

“They are very private people,” he said. “When push comes to shove, people do support his actions, and the actions of the other Marines over there. We all regret the deaths of innocent civilians, but there is no proof that anyone meant to kill any civilians.”

Many in town don’t even know Wuterich is from Meriden. There are no jars on local convenience store counters to contribute money for Wuterich’s defense, no banners proclaiming his innocence.

Paul Demato, 38, was surprised when he learned of the accusations, but acknowledged the troops must be under intense pressure and fear, never knowing when a roadside bomb will go off.

“It’s just a big mess,” Damato said. “I could tell you, ‘Yeah they need to be nice to the people there,’ but me, I’d shoot anything that moved.”

Hesse said he believes Frank Wuterich is being made a scapegoat, and he said that is the real crime.

“You can hate the president or Congress, and love this country,” he said. “You can hate war, and love a Marine.”