Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you PBS.......Thank you. What you broadcast is what I've needed and wanted to see for so long now. You have done the public proud. I wrote PBS off years ago. If you can keep it up with programing as honest as this, I promise to stay tuned. And my mainstay channel will be put on notice to follow your lead. I want an indepth story, enough with the 20 second blips and 2 minutes of blather.

Michael Drobesh
Placerville, California

Dear FRONTLINE,

Throughout the entire program, all I kept thinking was "What a waste!" To see these young men trying to make sense and purpose out of their impossible situation, one in which they never should have been placed, leaves the viewer with such a feeling of bitter futility at their wasted sacrifice. The damage they are doing to the Iraqi people and to themselves, will leave an indelible mark on the minds and souls of those who return to this country. A country so traumatized by 9-11 that we are willing to commit any atrocity to maintain the illusion of Security. What a waste!

John Valentino
Tucson, AZ

Dear FRONTLINE,

Good show. It was good to see a report that actually puts faces on soldiers and left the politics behind. It definately portrayed well how the locals react with U.S. troops who try to work with them (the tensions, distrusts, and power struggles). I couldn't believe some of the footage.

The dog, the 50-cal turret hitting the truck, the wake, and the Colonel reaming the sheik with the bloody eye showed an incredible desire to capture those moments that really make viewers lean forward in their chairs and simply gape. For me, it brought up a variety of feelings all at once.

By doing this documentary, you know you got more people involved and broadened the exposure of those already involved. That is some of the good that will come from it.

Mike Vanecek

Dear FRONTLINE,

Congratulation well done program; And thats war and is very sad but thanks to the courage of those soldiers we have a good life here in America; I am and emigrant from El Salvador and I know what war is God bless those soldiers and, We will keep then all in Prayers. Thank you again for this program

luis cubias
Lakewood, Colorado

Dear FRONTLINE,

This was a magnificent portrayal of our military personnel. This is very personal to me, because my brother was the Chaplain in the background when"Dog" Comapny was told about their fallen comrade. He was getting ready to come home on R & R, and was delayed because of memorial services for fallen comrades. At the time of the delay, we were selfishly upset, and now I know why he does what he does. Please keep praying for all of our troops all over the world, and their families left behind.

Mary Duncan
Garland, TX

Dear FRONTLINE,

Thank you for a powerful look at what our brave soldiers are enduring in Iraq. We must never forget that these men are not only fighting for the freedon of Iraqis but for the freedom of us all. I hope that Americans across this great land realize how great the sacrifice of these individuals is AND remember this when the time comes around to fund the Veteran's Administration. Never again can we allow our politicians to cut funding for the one organization that cares for those who have "borne the battle".

Kevin Ryan
Denver, CO

Dear FRONTLINE,

I want to thank you for a documentary that cuts through the politics and gives the soldier the recognition and respect that he/she so greatly deserves. And even more importantly, thank you to the soldiers in your piece. In a world where we call movie actors and sports figures "heroes", it was refreshing to be reminded of those much more deserving of such a title. The next time you find yourself in any sort of crisis situation, ask yourself...who would you want by your side? One of these fine young men in tonight's program, or some overpriced third baseman?? I thought so.

Robert Ryan
Chicago, Illinois

Dear FRONTLINE,

"...Soldiers..." really makes it clear why my roomate's soldier brother over in Iraq wrote her, "Remember, the worst day in Newport News is better than the best day." Substitue any town in America and that statement is still too true.

I do not find the language of people who are in such a threatened situation to be offensive. I am deeply moved and touched by the soldiers courage and heart.

I just wish that all the soldiers respected the fact that not everyone has the same understanding of the value of the war. I do not agree that we went into Iraq for any good reason. That does not invalidate the courage and dedication and value of the soldiers work. I do not doubt our troops will do many good deeds and do their best to rebuild a country - even try to help make it a democracy. I do doubt that the people of Iraq asked us to help them by blowing up the infrastructure of their country. Why did we not send in enough troops to protect against looters? Why did we not protect sewage and electrical services?

Worse, why are we not hiring locals to rebuild the country? The economy would blossom if locals were being hired. I do not understand why we build market stalls and then not stay to insure that it can be used by the people. It is just what I expected to happen when we inject ourselves into a country that we do not understand culturally. How discouraging for our soldiers.

Melissa Henry
Hampton, Va

Dear FRONTLINE,

My husband is in Iraq and I can tell he is holding in so much. This show gave me a look at what he goes thru everyday when he goes on missions in Baghdad. It breaks my heart to know that all soldiers have to see and do some awful things to protect themselves.

I was against this war, but since the election I have changed the way I feel about it. The Iraq children deserve a better future and if we can help do that, then I'm all for it. The turn out for the election proved to me that they do want things to change.

Brandy Ortego

Dear FRONTLINE,

As an Army veteran, I want to thank your production team for showing the courage, endurance and leadership of these fine soldiers. The soldier's viewpoint in wartime is something we rarely see, from the young PVT Reyes to the wise LTC Allen. Well rounded journalism is something I am happy to see on some occasions on Frontline.

I especially appreciate the candor of CPT Whiteley in regards to the difficulty of nation building after so many years of tyranny. Our nation and our leadership take a more realistic look at what it really is going to take to make this country and this region secure. I can only hope that the decisionmakers in Washington took the time to watch this program.

Maurenne Griese
Manhattan, Kansas

Dear FRONTLINE,

Until you have walked a mile (a hundred feet) in their shoes, do not judge. Having recently retired from the Army I feel this is a good representation of what our soldiers are going thru, after talking with my friends who are still in and are on their way back for the third or fourth time.

Debbie Garland
San Antonio, TX

Dear FRONTLINE,

As many have stated and others have argued, thank you for, what I perceive to be, an honest approach to the war in Iraq. At one point in the documentary, I became aware that I hunger to know more of the war. Some may disagree, but I believe that we all need to know more of the dramatic reality of what our fellow Americans and Iraqis are facing each and every day. I simply pray that we do not become numb to the events there and around the world in every corner.

Bethany Young
Houston, TX

Dear FRONTLINE,

I couldn't stop watching. I honor the soldiers who give everything for their country. There are no words for me to express the feelings I have when I think of their sacrifice. However, I question the wisdom of the ones who put their lives at risk. When I saw the comander at the end explaining how he felt everytime he had to give orders or tell someone's family about their death. The tears he shed over the "lives which could have been" I wondered how many tears has our president shed over the lives which could have and should have been.

Marla McConnell
Columbus, OH

Dear FRONTLINE,

Great Documentary...touched me deeply. I know several soldiers from Ft Hood, including a chaplain, all of whom served in Iraq, some of whom are there now. I have a great respect and I remain eternally grateful and forever humbled by the selfless sacrifices that these soldiers and their families make.

Courage is not the absence of fear, but the recognition that there is something more important that fear. This documentary is a tribute to those men that have recognized that, and it’s made me appreciate, respect, and admire the calling they have chosen to accept. And they accept it with Honor, Perseverance, Spirit and Heart.

Tara Michaels
Toronto, Ontario,

Dear FRONTLINE,

Watching our young men serving in Iraq was heartwrenching. The promise, the oath that they've taken to defend our country is being corrupted in this war in Iraq. All the people who are responsible for this, our political leaders, should all be brought up on charges on treason. No amount of feel good spin i heard from the troops about building schools or markets, makes up for all the killing we're doing over there. This invasion was never about protecting America, i will never believe this lie. Dying defending your country, should be the most noble of sacrifices that a citizen can make. This perversion of the sacrifice by the criminals in the White House should be stopped before any more young American lives are lost.

Bring the troops home. Let Iraqis decide their future for themselves.

Lee Meade
Chicago, IL