Dear FRONTLINE,
The "Ambush in Mogadishu" was a powerful production. I want to express my appreciation to all these fine men and in memory of those who were lost in serving our country. Your contribution to whatever this country sends you to is just as great as any of our military who have served us.
To Frontline: with all the overemphasis on movie stars and sports stars in the media, I appreciate very much a production calling attention to the best of America -our true heroes --those willing to risk their lives for our freedoms.
For the citizenry- we all need to demand answers from our President!
Margaret davenport
alexandria, va.
Dear FRONTLINE, I am currently a Captain in the 82D Airborne Division and in 1993 I was a young Second Lieutenant in the 10th Mountain Division. My unit was part of the initial deployment to Somalia and I served there from January through April 1993. My platoon accomplished a plethora of missions from mounted security patrols to UN food convoy security. I participated in missions in Mogadishu, Merca, Bali Dogle, Kismayo, and Barracaba. I left Somalia with almost a sense of nobility through accomplishment of the humanitarian efforts we participated in. When I returned to Fort Drum, NY I prepared for and attended Ranger School. I was in the mountain phase October 3, 1993. When we received the word of the firefight I saw the reactions of the fellow soldiers of those who were killed. It was nothing less than tragic. I was shocked to think that the people I personally provided hope to live another day killed my comrades. I could not bridge the gap between how the situation went so bad from when I left. Your story answered several of those questions. It also captured the essence of being a soldier through the October 3rd firefight. I hope the American public can now understand that the military mission was not a failure in Somalia. It demonstrated the pinnacle professionalism that our soldiers continually possess regardless of the mission theyíre confronted with. I'm proud of every one the American soldiers that served in Somalia. Their actions are those of heroes incomparable to any other profession. Anyone who has been faced with those life-threatening circumstances understands the undeniable commitment you have for each other. You delivered that message superbly. I could not hold back the tears when you played taps and showed the American flag flying so freely. Thank you for unveiling the truth behind this very significant chapter in our recent history.
Jack O'Savage
fort bragg, nc
Dear FRONTLINE, Your show had me feeling a level of rising tension that I am quite unable to fully understand. Whether it was the true life struggle of a complicated and sureal stage, or my guilt as the spectator, it has left me feeling proud, ashamed, angry, confused and a little hollow inside. I cannot attempt to sample the true flavor of the position these young men were thrust into without also considering that a large part of our national populace has decided that character in our leadership roles, even at the highest levels, is of no great consequence. Surely these men know better.
Don Ackerman
grand rapids, michigan
Dear FRONTLINE, First of all,It is so refreshing to see that there is not a focus of the Clinton situation.I was an individual that was deployed to Germany for the Bosnia situation and I thought I had it tough but after seeing what my warrior-brothers endured I did nothing to what they did. I am glad to see that our efforts in our training do not go in vain. I am a former straight leg infantryman. I always wondered if our efforts meant anything to anyone. I am proud of what I have done and what my brother-warriors are doing to keep the peace and the pride in what we put our long, hard work to show our country that we are out there to do our best to keep the peace and freedom that our loved ones and ourselves deserve.
Thank you PBS for helping us heal the scars of our pain and loneliness that we as soldiers endure. Keep up the good work.
Arnold Conejo
lubbock, texas
Dear FRONTLINE, Did the Rangers there die in vain? They died because of the amateurishness, the disdain for the professional military, and the arrogance of the administration.
Why was the mission changed overnight without consulting with the Joint Chiefs? Why wasn't the military chain of command informed of the negotiations with Adid? And why was this mission undertaken at all if the administration planned to negotiate? Until these questions are answered we won't really know the answer to the question "Did they die in vain?"
taunton, ma
Dear FRONTLINE, After watching "Ambush in Mogadishu",I can't really find the words to describe what I'm feeling, other to say I'm having a hard time holding back the tears.. Tears for my brothers and tears that my government could waste them in such a callous fashion. Rangers Lead the Way
Formerly: Sgt 1st Ranger Bn, 75th Inf Regiment
Mitch Alexander
pottstown, pa
Dear FRONTLINE, Excellent program. My gratitude and respect for the families of the Soldiers who did not make it home and for the soldiers who had the fortitude to dig in, keep fighting and survive what must have seemed an unsurvivable situation. Finally for the courage to be candid and honest in telling us what happened. Is this another reason for Clinton to step down, it appears he was secretly negotiating on one side, keeping the CIA from informing the troops on another and sending soldiers to their deaths on a mission whose goals were a front or scare tactic at best. Would this have happened if the soldiers were of sufficent manpower and supported (tanks, apc's, close air support) for an operation in the environment of Mogadishu?
marquette, mi
Dear FRONTLINE, Before this show I hadn't heard too much about what was going on in Somalia. Ever since Clinton came into the office, foreign policy has suffered a great deal. I guess this just wasn't a priority to anyone anymore, especcially the news media. I knew that there was stuff going on over there, but it never registered to me that there was real fighting going on over there. Just like one of the soldiers said, over here, our lives were just going on as usual, oblivious to the predicament of our compatriots overseas. I'm glad that this documentary was able to enlighten me, and it gives me a great deal of respect for all the men and women in our armed forces who were serving then, and are serving now.
James Hansen
silver spring, md
Dear FRONTLINE, Mogadishu was the worst fear of every front line soldier in uniform: politicians have placed you in harm's way and then have decided to abandon you. What occurred in the streets and alleys of that African City clearly, compellingly demonstrate that poorly thought out political strategies can get young men and woman killed. The bravery of those Army Rangers far out shadowed the intelligence of the leaders that sent them there.
Steven pena
washington dc,
Dear FRONTLINE, I was in Somalia, and one thing that I noticed was that the forces were to restriced by the government. I was station at the wash rack and witnessed several somolians steal, rob, and destroy alot of equipment. Undermaned as we were we could not stop all of the stealing from taking place. And if we did get lucky a catch one stealing, they uppers just fed the individual and sent him on his way just to see him try again the next day. there was no respect for us over there. getting spat on, rocks thrown at us, stealing from us, and we were there to help these people and they did this to us. that should have been the last straw. Dont waste our lives on something the government didnt want in the first place. Our lives are worth something to our families. If you dont want to win dont PLAY.
kingsville, texas
Dear FRONTLINE, Your show did not mention the failure of the Clinton administration to provide heavy armor. It stated the Commander of the U.N. forces did not have heavy armor, but it did not state that it was a mistake of which the acting Secretary of Defense resigned over.
I was a part of the rapid deployment force that flew to Mogadishu a day after the ambush. It was a day too late. I would hope your programs would point out the flaws of our politicians so that people would realize their mistakes could take their son or daughter.
Steve Shore
jax, fl
Dear FRONTLINE, The actions of an inexperienced, non military, President are very apparent with the airing of this program. How unfortunate that brave young men must die for their country in such a wasteful pursuit. Why was Les Aspin's involvement in not approving the deployment of armored personel carriers? I write this with a lump in my throat and a tears in my eyes for these brave men. God bless America.
Frank Mathon
Dear FRONTLINE, An American tragedy. How can you send the best of America's youth to a country nobody wants and just hang them out to dry. Any other president would have had a clearer vision of command and control. Unfortunately the worst example of using a fighting force to conduct peace ops. Soldiers are trained to fight not get involved in the UN. VP Gore said that these Rangers gave there lives for the UN. What nonsense. Five years later there is no memorial to these brave men. There should also be a congressional inquiry as to what went wrong! That is there memorial.
David A. McGuire
chicago, illinois
Dear FRONTLINE, Unfortunately, this sad set of events sounds like "mission creep" that has the politicians as the catalyst. It is a sad statement about the foeign policy of the United States. Great show.
Ricky LaFleur
lafayette, la
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