CAMP PENDLETON -- On the eve of Independence Day, a person close to one of eight servicemen charged with murdering an Iraqi civilian released a letter signed by the men, asking Americans to spend today honoring troops who are fighting overseas.

It was the first written communication that appeared to be signed by the men, who are being held in the Camp Pendleton brig on charges of murdering an Iraqi civilian in April and conspiring to cover up his death. Though no formal pleas have been made, family members and attorneys for the men have proclaimed their innocence.

The men face the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges.

The one-page, handwritten letter was given to the North County Times on Monday evening. The apparent signatures of the eight men -- a sergeant, two corporals, three lance corporals, a private first class and a Navy hospitalman third class -- are scrawled between notebook paper lines.

The authenticity of the signatures could not be verified Monday, though two people close to the accused said their loved ones had signed the letter. At least one of the men's attorneys said he had not seen the note.

The message does not mention the men's case or discuss any details of their custody. Instead, it asks that supporters send their thoughts to troops.

"On this upcoming Fourth of July weekend, we ask that your prayers are rooted solely to the men and woman (sic) fighting in Iraq," the letter reads. "Regardless of our current disposition, we stand here safe and sound."

The men charged are: Cpl. Trent D. Thomas, 24; Hospitalman 3rd Class Melson J. Bacos, 20; Pfc. John Jodka III, 20, of Encinitas; Cpl. Marshall L. Magincalda, 23, of Manteca; Lance Cpl. Tyler A. Jackson, 22; Lance Cpl. Jerry E. Shumate Jr., 20; and Lance Cpl. Robert B. Pennington, 22. All are from Pendleton's 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment's Kilo Company.

Though the men are being held in individual cells, it may have been possible for family members visiting the troops to pass a note around for the men to sign, said Camp Pendleton spokesman 1st Lt. Esteban Vickers.

"They couldn't write it together," said Vickers, who had not seen the note and could not confirm the signatures late Monday evening. "But family members are allowed to meet with them, and if the family did something like that, it's probably possible."

A family member of one of the defendants said she felt the letter was "really nice and sweet."

"They're all good guys, and they have such good hearts," the woman said.

The letter expresses thanks to supporters of the men.

"There are no words to describe our solemn thanks to all of our sincere supporters," the letter reads. "To know that there are people out there praying for us is a surreal feeling in which there is no comparison."

Vickers, the base spokesman, said he hoped the note had been shown to the men's lawyers before being released.

"I wouldn't want them to do anything that would jeopardize their case," he said.

Vickers said the letter shows that even though the men are locked up, they have continued to think like Marines.

"It shows that Marines, no matter what circumstances they find themselves in, are always thinking about their brothers and sisters who are out there fighting," he said. "It's kind of awe-inspiring, considering the situation that they're in."

After being read the text of the letter during a phone call Monday night, attorney David Brahms, the lawyer for Pennington, called the letter "defining."

"This is indicative of the spirit of the young men confined and awaiting military justice action," Brahms said. "This defines a group of youngsters who think about others and are solidly, morally grounded."

Attorney Victor Kelley, who is representing Thomas, said he had no comment about the letter.

Another of the attorneys, Joseph Low, the man representing Magincalda, said the contents of the letter came as no surprise to him.

"They have made comments like that before," Low said, noting that his client and others are concerned about the troops in the war zone.

Low said he does not think the men will face a backlash for getting their hands on the letter to sign it, and noted that the eight all have daily recreation time with one another.

LETTER SIGNED BY JAILED MARINES

Dear Americans,

There are no words to describe our solemn thanks to all of our sincere supporters. To know that there are people out there praying for us is a surreal feeling in which there is no comparison. On this upcoming 4th of July weekend we ask that your prayers are rooted solely to the men and woman (sic) fighting in Iraq. Regardless of our current disposition, we stand here safe and sound. It's those men and women who are still making the ultimate sacrifice lying (sic) their lives down for the country. To those of you who have had loved ones who have made that sacrifice know that we feel your pain first hand and understand that though they may never come back, they will never be forgotten. Once again, thank you for your support, and God Bless America.

-Sgt. Hutchins, Cpl. Trent D. Thomas, Cpl. Marshall Magincalda, HM3 Melson Bacos, LCpl. Robert Pennington, LCpl. Tyler Jackson, Pfc. John Jodka and LCpl. Jerry Shumate Jr.