Por (Michael Hunt) on November 09, 2005 (Suggest removal)

This service you are providing shows us all that no matter how mych politics is going on and how much the war mmay have been wrong, that there are still Americans serving over seas in a dangerous place and thier families are still back here hoping they get home safe.

Por (Jacquie Albina) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

It’s so refreshing to see a news media actually reporting on what our troops really ARE doing over there. 

I can’t say thank you enough. 

Our troops certainly deserve the acknowledgement, but more so, the public needs to hear what’s really going on.

I wish more of the media actually reported instead of taking a political stand. 

I applaud our troops…and I hope they know it.  I know if more of our country learned what they are learning daily, the world would be a better place.

Por (Therese Gamble) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Thank you for covering Landstuhl Regional Medical Center. My husband, COL Wm. Bryan Gamble, MD, is the Commander of that great facility. He is in awe of the great servicemembers who are our caregivers to the wounded, they are all truly heroes everyday. I sincerely appreciate your enabling more Americans getting the chance to know about these great folks.

Por (lavandeira William) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Gentlemen, we have a local hero serving our country in Iraq you may want to consider for your article.

Our son is a graduate of West Point and is currently serving his second tour there. He is attached to the Army 36th Engineer group in Bagdah. He is due to return in January.

His name and rank:  Captain JonPaul Lavandeira, 36th Engineer group, US Army. We are so proud of him, he is such a special guy, a real officer and a getlemen, always asking us to send clothing for distribution among the iraquis he works with.

A true American, in all aspects.

Por (Donna Sharp) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I just read the interesting stories by Keith Cate and am very pleased with the way he presented his story.  My husband and I are from St. Petersburg, but came out of retirement to come back to work here in Darmstadt, Germany. 

I personally work with Soldiers who are getting ready to deploy and many have just deployed from here, so it is close to us everyday.  Thank you for letting the people in Florida know what a great job our Soldiers are doing and the care they receive in Landstuhl.

Por (janice shannon & family) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I’ve watched your report and found it quite informative.

What I would like to know is, if there’s person or group that matchs up our active service men or women in Iraq with families at home to write to. We would like to send our hellos, take cares and holidays greetings to someone over there. Any suggestions?

Por (Rosemary S Currie) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Thank you, thank you, thank you for doing this series on the Military Hospital at Landstuhl and Florida troops.

My son-in-law is the Commander of the hospital at Landstuhl and I just know he will be greatful for the coverage of these wonderful troops that take such great care of our wounded.

A special thanks to Bob Hite and Keith Cate for a job well done. God Bless our Military and the United States of America.

Por (Lisa Williamson) on November 10, 2005 (Suggest removal)

In response to a letter above, there is a group that matches soldiers - it’s an adoption of sorts.

It’s a website “anysoldier.com”. It lets you stay in contact with soldiers and send them items off their wish list!!

I know this because my daughter and son-in-law are both deployed in Afganistan.

Por (Debra Dandar) on November 11, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Thanks so much for doing these wonderful stories about our troops.  I am so glad to see the news focusing on heart-warming stories about our sons and daughters, and the good that they are doing in the world.

I was thrilled to see a photo of my daughter (fourth photo) in your gallery of In Afghanistan photos.  She was thrilled to have the opportunity to meet Bob Hite and sent us a photo of her standing with Bob.  What a kind and thoughtful thing that you are doing for our soldiers.

Thank you once again for all that you are doing for our troops.  I’m sure this really lifts them up and warms their hearts to know that their families are at home watching stories about their sacrifice and hard work.

Very truly yours,

Debra Dandar

Por (Wendy Cowan) on November 11, 2005 (Suggest removal)

It’s a wonderful thing to acnowledge and celebrate the bravery, commitment and the loyalty our troops hold and apply to serve this great country! I’m proud and thankful to be an American. Happy Veteran’s Day! And yes, my flag is flying today!

Por (Louise Dickson) on November 11, 2005 (Suggest removal)

The soldier in Keith Cate’s news story is from my hometown unit, the 278th, in Tennessee. My cousin, Mike Earles, and his son, Chris Earles, both served valiantly in Iraq with the 278th for a year.

This week we are celebrating their homecoming! We are very proud of them and of all our military and their families.

Thank you, Keith, for explaining the good care that our soldiers receive at the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

Por (Rae Hertz) on November 12, 2005 (Suggest removal)

We really appreciate the reports that Bob Hite and Keith Cate have provided from Irac, Afganistan, and Germany!

    Most of all we are so glad to have Bob back since he was gone so long from the news shows that we began to fear that he was seriously ill (we know you all said he was “on assignment”, but we worried just the same!)

    Thankfully, both he and Keith came home safely after providing the most intelligent and truly valuable information that we have seen about the military action in Iraq and surrounding areas!

Dr. Rae G. Hertz
Young Dr. Cathrine R. Ross
New Port Richey, FL

Por (Walter Mitchell) on November 12, 2005 (Suggest removal)

After two installments, I can say the series is wonderful.

However, I wonder your motive in having the first installment, at the prime news time, a report on casualties. 

Why didn’t you have Bob’s report first? 
I hope your intent is to focus first on your future main anchor and not to make an anti-war statement.  There are enough of those in your parent network.

Por (Sarah) on November 12, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Thank you for focusing on the good that our servicemen and women are doing in Irag and Afghanistan.  It is refreshing to see such well put together journalism.

Por (STEPHANIE) on November 13, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I saw your story on Curtis Brownhill.  Would you by chance have his email address as I would like to thank him for what he is doing for us?

Thank you.

Por (Sharon Blair) on November 15, 2005 (Suggest removal)

The Soldier

I looked in the eyes of a soldier
No words have to be conveyed
different wars,times,faces,places,
the inside is clear to me
some things never change
soldiers still have faces
soldiers still have souls
trained,skilled,focused,directed, confident
I see it
the keen awareness
of the enemies presence
pondering
who is the enemy?
at attention,standing tall,looking up,
weapon in hand, equipted and ready,
reflecting remarkable strength
a true warrior
remembering the cause
I see the eyes of a soldier.

By: Sharon Blair

Por (WFLA news producer) on November 16, 2005 (Suggest removal)

In response to a previous post, you can e-mail CCM Brownhill at CENTCOM’s Public Affairs E-mail Box at pao@centcom.mil - please put ATTN: CCM Brownhill on the subject line. The e-mails will be forwarded. Or you can send regular mail to:

USCENTCOM
ATTN: Office of the Command Chief
7115 S. Boundary Blvd.
MacDill AFB, FL 33621

E-mail is obviously more efficient and preferred.

Por (Rebecca Southard) on November 16, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I wanted to take a moment and thank you for presenting the stories of our service people.

I am a nurse that works directly with our active duty service people injured as well as working with our veterans of past wars.

It is difficult for the average American to fully comprehend the sacrifices being made to further the cause of Freedom. 

I deal with men and women that have had their lives altered forever by war. I am so proud of each of our soldiers and I appreciate the opportunity to serve those that serve.

Thank you for taking the time to care enough to represent the soldiers.

Por (Ron Perrotte) on November 16, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Is there a website you can go to to get information about a member of the armed services?  Something that is searchable by name, etc would be great.

Por (WFLA news producer) on November 16, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Response to previous post: There is no such website where you can search per a member of the armed services. You should direct any specific request for information about a specific member of the armed services to CENTCOM’s Public Affairs E-mail Box at pao@centcom.mil

Por (Al) on November 17, 2005 (Suggest removal)

It is great to see some positive reporting on the war in Iraq. The media has really failed in accurate reporting. Thanks for the positive report. Please encourage the other media companies to report accurate and positive news.

Por (Carol Schmidt) on November 17, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Bob and Keith:

I am the Volunteer Coordinator at the Clearwater Police Department.  As an Officer myself, I have seen other officer go to Iraq.  The volunteers have been sending packages since the begining of the war.  We would like to send to the people you featured in your stories of the war.  Please advise of addresses or e-mails so we may continue sending packages.  Thanks you for your great coverage .

Por (Keith Cate) on November 17, 2005 (Suggest removal)

The military is very guarded about giving names and details about service members, but I can give you three helpful web sights if you are interested in keeping up with the casualty counts from Iraq and Afghanistan. Start with the Dept. of Defense at the following address: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/casualty.pdf Also check the Centcom Press Release sight at this address: http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/casualties.asp?searchType=1&searchDays=5&searchTopic=
The final sight: http://icasualties.org/oif/
I hope this helps.  If you have more questions you can email me directly at kcate@wfla.com Thank you for watching our series.—Keith Cate

Por (Keith Cate) on November 17, 2005 (Suggest removal)

I will have a story in the coming weeks about the “Chaplain’s Closet” at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.  The closet is full of donations for our wounded troops.  No need to wait for the story.  You can donate cash or new items and send to the following address: Commander, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, ATTN: MCEUL-CH,CMR 402,APO AE 09180.  For info on specific needs contact Pastoral Services office at 011-6371-86-8399.

Por (Ruby Steiner) on November 19, 2005 (Suggest removal)

Thanks to Mr. Hite and Mr. Cate for their reporting on the war.  We need more positive reporting.  The negitive new we hear all the time has to be so discouraging for our troops.

I have a grandson who arrived in Iraq on October 4th.  The most wonderful thing for those of us with family in Iraq is that we can email them and they can email us back, when they find time. 

Keep up the work of positive reporting.  Our young men and women in Iraq need to hear it.