Comments on: The Sleeping Bag War

By: John P. Wright

John P. Wright — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 22:09:06 +0000

Thanks for covering Charlie Company. Our son is an assaultman, and we’re also PROUD of him. If you come across another Floridian named Brian, with the Cold Steel Charlie Company just let him know that he’s LOVED by so many. SEMPER FIDELIS

By: Sharon Miller

Sharon Miller — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 19:20:23 +0000

I read “The Sleeping Bag War” you wrote. My son is a sawgunner in Charlie Company and he was actually one of the few marines captured on film when they went into Garmsir. While it appears beneficial to us at home to see the war as it happens, my son is in that war as are all the other marines. They have names and family and are more than just the story of the moment. While I appreciate your coverage and your candid account of how miserable it is there, you do get to eventually come home, shower, eat at a restaurant and go for the next big story while our sons and daughters remain fighting for our lives, their lives and your life in the bowels of hell in the horrible heat, eating the horrible MRE’s, enduring archaic bathroom facilities, and dodging enemy fire. They are more than the spectacular fire show the media covets. Perhaps the story the world needs to hear is the quiet resolve and unwavering dedication our service men and women live and breath. It is these individuals who make up the greatest, most magnificent fighting machine on our planet. I would certainly hope that anyone reading your account of the warzone in the Helmand province of Afghanistan would stop and think when they become impatient at the grocery store or complain about the weather when then can go home to an air conditioned home, when they whine about the food being too cold or not quite right or to put it more simply, complain about any privilege of freedom we have available to us. My son as well as the son’s and daughters of other Americans are paying that price for us so we should all stop before opening our yaps and think about the very things we are free to complain about and who keeps us free to do so. Thanks for listening and if you happen to come across a quiet, honorable, dedicated, relentless sawgunner in Charlie Company from Florida named Joe, tell him that his mom, dad, brother, sisters, and grandparents love him and are very proud of him. In fact, tell all the Marines in Charlie Company that we love each and every one of them – OOH RAH!

By: Kathi-AR

Kathi-AR — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:49:43 +0000

Really enjoyed this excellent post…..keep up the great work. It is appreciated!!

By: An Embedded Reporter’s Excellent Afghanistan Diary / Jossip

An Embedded Reporter’s Excellent Afghanistan Diary / Jossip — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:39:10 +0000

[...] armor and Kevlar helmets, and after a few minutes simply walking became a Herculean task.” [FNC] Jun 13, 2008 · Link · Respond Related Posts • 06.13.08: Another Fox News [...]

By: neatie

neatie — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:51:00 +0000

Mr. James….
You are great as always. Wish Fox News would post more of your writings. One thing. It is a shame they can’t do it with your Australian accent….that would be the perfect fininshing touch. If we want to understand action in war we read Mal James. And your film work and photos are better than a million words. Thank you for what you do and have done for Fox News for a long time. It is better because we know that you want to tell the stories of our brave Military men. That makes your work even greater…It means very much to us who cannot go and see for ourselves. Hope that Fox appreciates you and the correspondents and crews that make up such great teams in bringing us the news that is important to us. Your personal writings are much appreciated, Mal. Be safe wherever you are and we do hope to hear and see more of you.
a long time fan,
neatie

By: tentum

tentum — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 03:10:46 +0000

I enjoyed your commentary on the conditions. My son who is a submarine sailor (with 27 years) traded his climatically confortable submarine with fresh food for a FOB in Afghanistan. He says that this is one of the best jobs he has had in his military career. He feels like he is doing something directly with people and dispite the rigors and incredibly bad living conditions there is something positive in serving his country and his fellow man. God Bless all of you who live under harsh conditions, facing death, day after day, and still find strength of character enough to laugh and weep as the situation requires. I pray for your safety every day.