Kevin, I am writing my own story. It is named Salmiya; it was area of Kuwait I lived in a teacher building surrounded by the old souk, and exquisite Paris shops; after school was out on Wednesday afternoon, I was on an airplane heading for 10 days in Jordon staying at the Radisson, which was just bombed; It was an exquisite hotel just newly built. Or on the plane to Dubai for Christmas; staying at the Chicago Hotel on the shores of the Gulf; then continuing onto Chiang Mai, Thailand for New years Eve and my final destination, Bangkok. Or flying to TAnzania and safari and living in tented camps owned by the animals; then sitting on the beach of Zanzibar; continuing back to Dubai where I celebrate my birthday with a bottle of champagne in the airport with good friend. But, I was at that hotel; the Jordianians are our friends; and I nothing but admiration for the Kind. Marilyn

i love hearing from people that are actually out there!! i am getting sick of the media and all tht they say!! GO TROOPS!!!

to all the military a big thank you

thank you

Those travel status are interesting, who would know if you didn't tell us. Kevin should keep doing what he is doing....telling it like it is one day one man or group of servicemen at a time. I would like to keep seeing stories about Americans that make a difference, that not all americans there want to get out of there. Stories that we are appreciated by the average Iraque.Help us see what are troups are doing. what is the average attititude of the troups.What are some of the day to day happenings. I know negative stuff happens to, don't fluff over it. I haven't seen any of that kind of reporting here so far. I am interested in how the Iraques are living, are the children back in school are the women treated better. Do they hate Americans or tolerate us. How are are service men and women doing, keep up the individual stories. That last report was excellent would never know about guys like Walton,if it weren't for you. The world news makes us out to like powerhungry devils...look at this one American trying to make a difference and what a difference he does make. Thanks for asking for our in put,I think Kevins got a good handle on what to report. Continue to be our bridge,we need to know what its likefor our service men and women, the good and the bad. Hope I helped. I'm hooked, Kevins reporting style is refreshing and addicting. I want to learn more. NJ

the total truth, that's what most everyone i speak to wants to know-----the good, bad or ugly---we just want the truth. God bless this world

The media is a great tool. It is just too bad that the misuse of this tool puts our children in harm's way. The troops deserve better than to become the pawn in the liberal media's battle for the moral high ground against the current policies. They continue to tell the world of our apparent weaknesses in our domestic and foreign security, our technological weaknesses, and our political weaknesses at home. All in the interest in the public's right to know. Personally, it seems that if they, the more outspoken members of the media, spent a month overthere with a rifle in their hands without the backing of the TV producers and their audience,they may see that proper planning and security as their only means of surviving the experience allowing them to come back home. Every media exposed weakness provides opportunity to the opposition forces to hurt and/or kill our men and women serving there for our country. I guess these people do not care because they are not put in danger by their comments...I would like to thank all of the men and women in 101st airborne...great job.

Are there any more programs like Operation Pencil Box happening in Iraq? Sgt.Gabe Medina from Albuq. NM was " in charge of the humanitarian effort by the 835th Corps Support Battalion." (Albuq.Journal, July 17, 2004). Some of us grandmas would love to send school supplies, clothing, books (I even sent two rubber swimming pools for foot-soaks) to the children of Iraq. Please post an address if someone is needing some help from home.

All real americans love freedom. Freedom is how this country came to be. Real Americans would like to see the Whole world become free. Only the media and others that were born on this soil and are american by birth only and not by spirit which is the vital essence of all real americans can appreciate what our fighting men and women are doing by putting their lives on the line. There are the media and other people who scream about dollars and cents when the real cost is in the lives that our fighting men and women are giveing up just so we can always have the hope that American will always be free and that there will never be another 9-11 or uss cole. GOD BLESS ALL OUR WOMEN AND MEN WHO ARE DOING THIS FOR US ALL AMEN. JOHN

Kevin, What I like most about your stories is they transcend any political views. It's the human element that most people forget about, as they become immersed in partisan bickering. No matter how you feel about the war, it's important to remember that there are real people out there, real feelings, real hardships, real emotions. Thanks for reminding us.