Hiya Kevin, the perm URL to this blog entry appears to be returning HTTP/403 error. I'm able to view the main page and individual pictures just fine though.

You guys take care okay?

-chris
http://chrisholland.blogspot.com/

Hi again :)

You're probably already on those, but just in case:

The link to the full image of Staff Sgt, Jason Spangenberg should be:
http://www.kevinsites.net/images/11012004/...pangenberg-Wife.jpg

The link to the full image of Lance Corporal Stephen Batchelder should be:
http://www.kevinsites.net/images/11012004/...atchelder-Tex-Q.jpg

Kevin, thanks for all your work. Tell the guys we're all behind them.

Thanks, guys, that's been corrected! --XJ (site producer)

Xeni, are you able to hit: http://www.kevinsites.net/2004_10_31_archi...#109935712880879512 ? It's the link to the story from the main page.

What hits me most is how young they all look.

Chris, thanks -- that's also fixed. --XJ

The things they carry - matters of the heart and home. The weight of these small objects pictured is greater than any of us can possibly imagine. These are very moving images. I wonder what I would take with me?

Edited by author 11-02-2004 12:41 PM
I am very moved by the pictures.
Please post more and let us when they are safely home.
The story by Tim O’Brien called "The Things They Carried" which probably was the inspiration for this shoot is online description or audio

All of you in Iraq, please stay safe.
I was also moved by those photos.

II told my brother I wanted to send him something to keep with him.... rosary, picture...something. He said that all he wanted was a bottle of tequila with a worm in it. So I sent him a bottle of tequila with a worm in it. If you come across a marine with a little bottle of tequila with a worm in it..that would be my little brother. Please tell him his sister Deborah says hi. He should know the rest of what I want to say

Edited by author 11-02-2004 11:59 PM
Here's another plug for the great O'Brien book of Vietnam stories called "The Things They Carried":

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detai...08-8812760?v=glance

I have to agree with Leah, god these are just kids and they're out there killing and being killed.

Kevin...it is always good to have something...to remind you...of memories...and give you hope...stay safe

Edited by author 11-03-2004 12:12 PM
My husband is LCPL Mitchell, the one with the prayer coin. Thank you for all your support. I really appreciate it Kevin. Please let everyone in the 3rd bn know that we are praying for them

hi my son is lc A. Bradley with the photo of himself and soon to be wife thanks for the photo it got me throught
another hard night of worrie. signed a dad

What do you carry Kevin?? Stay safe!
Thanks for the pics and keep sending more!

I was at Hue, '68. Who would have thought that Marines are now urban war specialists. Best of luck in Falluja, these guys will do much better than we did hopefully due to some of our experiences in urban warfare. Kept my St. Christopher and Jude medals with me for luck. One for lots of traveling and the other for lost things, I was lost alot.

Dick

  Hi kev, there is always a memory of the good things in our life....thanks for letting others know that some one is living on that memory...I have a painting of a girl smiling ...you know I miss the one who gave it to me so much..hopefully I will see him again..

So young and so beautiful; disciplined and bright like stars. I pray that God protects you all and keep's you from harm's way. I saw these photos through wet, salty tears... although I don't know you, I do know you our fellow countrymen and hope with all of our might you have a safe return back to the country and your families that miss you so much.

My nephew is in the 1st Marine Division, third batallion who you are reporting on Kevin. Keep the reports coming. God Bless our Troops over there in Harms Way, especially as they begin their work to retake fellujah (sp?). May you all come home to your loved ones safe and secure....thanks for Fighting for My Freedom....I pray for you all everyday!!!!

God Bless and God Speed...

Hi we all need to start a prayer chain and not give it to any junk the devils trys to send our way, our young men and women will get the job done and come home safe to us all, Thanks Adams dad

With GOD on our side our young men and women will get their jobs done and be back home asap by the grace of GOD. Thanks for the up lifting note
Adams dad




On 8 Nov 2004 01:05:19 -0000 QT - Dianne <qtopic+28-n3eqVxkMK9sx@quicktopic.com> wrote: > >
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Thanks for the note you sent we all need to pray for our young folks in fallujah and in all of irqa they will need our support and all our love Adams DAD



On 7 Nov 2004 20:04:10 -0000 QT - Jana <qtopic+28-n3eqVxkMK9sx@quicktopic.com> wrote: > >
< replied-to message removed by QT >

Thanks for the messages I can trust. Vietnam 67-68
Keep head down, spirit up!
You are all remembered>

Kevin I am a jr. at Southern Illinois University in Radio /TV. I am currently writing a paper on embed reporters what are you thoughts and feelings?

twrfeb15@hotmail.com

The faces of these men are amazing and very touching -
Thanks to you and the boys!

Our 19 year old son is a LCrpl in the 3/1 India company third platoon. Please keep these reports coming. His name is Phillip West

Edited by author 11-15-2004 07:53 PM
Kevin - You are doing amazing work. We hear about the troops being under-resourced, about families here shipping body armor to their sons/daughters in Iraq, and about Humvees protected with plywood. What are your observations?

Travel safe

gp@enginebrand.com

Look!! Ease up on this guy. The public has a right to know what is going on. This is not just about protecting marines. It is about the pure horror of war. Must admit I am shocked by the vitriol you are heaping on this reporter. Would you rather that the public knew nothing about shooting people in sacred places or the unlawful torturing of prisoners? You Americans think it is all about "our boys over there". It is not. Others may think it is about imposing your fundamentally flawed version of "democracy" by force. On a country with fiercely proud traditions that date back centuries. I can assure you that the people of Falluja without water, power, food medical supplies do not feel "liberated". They feel trampled on.