WASHINGTON, D.C. - Montana's Congressman, Denny Rehberg, sponsored a resolution to honor the three Navy SEALs who successfully completed a mission to capture the believed mastermind of the 2004 murder of four U.S. security contractors.  The three officers are facing a court-martial after the suspected terrorist, Ahmed Hasim Abed, accused them of punching him during his capture.

"The trial of these brave soldiers is not only unwarranted, but is a slap in the face to real American heroes," said Rehberg, a member of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee. "Terrorists are instructed to make abuse allegations when captured to disrupt their prosecution. This case sends a terrible message to those we ask to risk their lives to fight terrorism.  It's important to affirm our commitment to our military."

The resolution, (H.Res. 988), "recognizes the exemplary service, devotion to country, and selfless sacrifice" of petty officers Matthew McCabe, Jonathan Keefe, and Julio Huertas in the capture of Abed, and pledges continued support to members of the U.S. Armed Forces.  Abed is accused of leading numerous attacks against U.S. and coalition forces, including the brutal killing of four Blackwater guards in Fallujah, whose bodies were mutilated and put on public display.

In court rulings this month, Huertas and Keefe were granted the right to face their accuser in court, and their trial was moved overseas to a U.S. military base in Iraq.  McCabe's defense team has said they don't need to question the detainee, and McCabe's trial is scheduled to be held in Virginia.
 
The three Navy SEALs have not only received support from members of Congress but more than 200,000 people have joined a Facebook page to show their support.  Rehberg has used his Facebook page to urge others to join their support group.