Thanks, Kevin, for your side of the story. I know it was a very long time coming for you. I don't know what you're doing right now, or in the very near future, but I wish you the best.

Well, I took the liberty to delete all the other sarcastic posts I made today. In retrospect, it was very juvelile and inappropriate. I apologize.

But, something good did come out of it--it gave me a chance to read much of Kevin's older stuff. He interacted much more, and on a personal note, a few months ago. I can see why most of the dedicated followers were backing him so diligently. Had I had dug a little deeper, I would have handled the situation better. For that, Kevin, my deepest apologies.

I reverse my doubt about your motives, and know that when the facts are all laid out on this issue, you'll be vindicated. And I hope it's sooner than later. There's a lot of hate on other blogs in you name. It's not healthy, and we don't need it.

Keep safe, Kevin.

I've enjoyed reading your reporting; it's given me an insight and perspective that I would not have had. I have a son currently stationed at Camp "Dirty Bird," that's how I happened to find your blog site - googling for info. I'm proud of him and all our troops. His younger brother is a Marine and was there (Iraq) during the war. As tough and ugly as this conflict is, I nevertheless believe that it needs to be done. This conflict, unlike previous military engagements; it cannot be ignored. If we relax in our approach, we'll get 4 more planes. So we either confront the problem there, or we can confront it here - kind of a no-brainer to me. So as unpleasant and costly as it is, I say let's deal with this toxin at the source. Go Troops! OORAH!

Walid - how do you think the families of the 9/11 victims feel?

Scared - I will do anything to help you and your Soldier / Marine -- Thanks so much to our troops and their families!

Hi... Kevin... as always, thank you for your words from the front. The harsh reality is for me very difficult to digest today as the man I am in love with just recieved deployment orders for October 8th. I guess it is the fear of the unknown that is most frightening to me. But everyday, I put a smile on my face, tell him how proud I am of him and move to a subject that is less impactful and reality based. It is almost a game really, because I don;t want him to think about me worrying about him. I just want him to think about what he needs to do to be safe so he can come home to me. We have only known each other a short time. He is a Major with the Reserves and is 35 years old... we have discussed marriage and engagement.... what we will do over the next three weeks I am unsure of. I pray everyday that he is deployed to Kuwait because I heard that it is not nearly as dangerous. (Is that selfish of me?? Still I hope he does.) When I read about the infantry men.... what struck me most was the fact that their lives are changed forever. What they see, hear, do, etc.... these experiences will stay with them forever... and at such a young age........ It also saddens me, and worries me even more that the military is not granting our soldiers the ability to go home. Shouldn;t they be home after one tour? I wonder... will my love go over there only to find he can not come home to me...... maybe ever....???? As I write this... I think of you Kevin..... because I know that you have done several tours over in this part of the world beginning with Afghanistan after 9/11. Although I do not know you personally, I admire and respect you and am so very proud of you...... You are a beautiful person to bring the human story home to all of us. I better stop writing now... tears fill my eyes, my heart aches, and fear is breeding sickness inside.....

Why can't this all end????

Scared-

I think that this war is a shame. It should be stopped right now. Americans and Iraqis are both losing in this war. Losing a borther, a son, a father, a husband.. it is too bad that this is happening in the 21st century.

Walid,

http://www.iraqjungle.com

A vey touching piece of work and brings out the reality of war. Unfortunately, it is the ordinary US Citizen who is paying for the decisions of certain individuals who have been motivated by a large number of influences not all of them good.
War does not prfit anybody except a very few, however, surpisingly we still seem to be guided by those very few.... I guess it is time all of us say NO collectively to war.
I lost my friend a couple of months ago fighting terrorists in Kashmir. But now as I see it, even the terrorist seems to be in the same jam as my friend was.

Fighting and LOSING his life and kiling three terrorists in the process is a brave thing to do, but is it really necessary!!!!!!!

The likes of Muktada Al-Sadr, Bush, Laden and Hafiz Mohammed sayed are profiting from the deaths of innocents.

Kevin,
  I want to thank you for the artical "Under the Steel Rain" I am the wife of the soldier you wrote about. Even though I don't like the thought of my husband being a "mortar magnet" it was good to see him in print. Thank you again for a human intrest view and a small look at what life is like for all our men and women who serve.

I agree Amit!

HI Kevin,
I am an Indian and I do not like what Bush and Blair are doing in Iraq. But I do feel for the men and women from the US Army (etc) who are facing so much shit that its unbelievable. You do bring their point of view in this ite beautifully. Thanks. I hope and I pray to GOD that soon one day all this will be over and the men and women will go back to their homes in one piece. War is such a shitty thing ... ?????????

Awesome Kevin... keep it comin'!

Thank you to all our Troops, and everyone else who is there helping them. Kevin, Thank you for taking the time to write and show the world, that it is not all death, there are still people there, and they are working to make life better for all of us.

Keep up the great work. Thanks for giving the people in the USA a different perspective on the war in Iraq. It seems that all that is in the newspapers and TV is how many civilians were killed today. It is nice to look at it from the eyes of the soldiers. I have a cousin stationed there at Camp Victory and he emailed me on 7/1 and has said that since the hand-over the mortar attacks have increased significantly. I pray every night for his safe return and the safe return of all of our men and women.

Kevin,
Thank You for all your hard work. My husband is an employee of K.B.R. and in Anaconda now. I pray for all of you and your families. May God be with you and come home to us safe. Happy Independance day.

Keep up the great work, Kevin. May God continue to protect you and the fine soldiers you risk your life to tell us about.

Hey Kevin

You enjoy sharing a screen with Dennis Miller last night?

Kevin, I enjoy your narrative and images. I refered your site to the quintessential war reporter, my good friend, Joe Galloway.

Big Gold Dog.Com

Edited by author 06-30-2004 09:27 AM
Just wanted to give everyone a heads up about this great event that is traveling across the nation and really sheds light on the human cost of war!!

Spend some of your 4th of July weekend honoring those who have fallen in the Iraq War at Philadelphia’s Independence Mall!!

Come check out Eyes Wide Open, a multi-media exhibition of the human costs of the Iraq war and walk through 800 + boots honoring soldiers killed in Iraq, listen to the sounds of war and read the names of killed Iraqi civilians. The names of all US soldiers killed in battle will be read constantly throughout the event.

The exhibition will be at Philadelphia’s Impendence Mall, July 2, 3 & 4 (Friday, July 2 - 10am - 9pm, Saturday, July 3 - 10am - 9pm, Sunday, July 4 - 10am - 4pm) All are welcome and encouraged to attend this free event.

 For more information visit http://www.afsc.org/iraq/eyes/Default.htm and downloadable graphics to help promote this event visit http://www.afsc.org/iraq/eyes/graphics.htm

Do you think it might be time to change military tactics?

Instead, of absorbing the mortar attacks, should the military respond immediately with artillery and or air strikes of their own? Will the resulting civillian casualties change the guaranteed outcome of the current policy - failure?

Does anyone think the military tactics currently in effect can "WIN" a reasonably stable and peaceful result? Consider the historical reality, 'History is ONLY written by the victors'.