Comments on: Under Fire Off the Battlefield

By: Russ

Russ — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:17:30 +0000

I find it rather ironic that with all the recent and past behavior of the mainstream media, what they chose to report, how they report it and their agenda driven political (embeded) propaganda that any person who has a beef with the media has nothing better to do than go after Mr. Tate; surely there are more worthy targets out there, just pick up any mainstream newspaper or watch any TV show where our boys are vilified as nut cases and killers. Go complain and whine to them if you want to do something positive.

By: Paula

Paula — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 01:42:38 +0000

I am not even sure where to begin with my feelings and thoughts about all of this. First, let me say that I am the proud mother of an incredible young man serving with the 3/8 India Company. When he decided to sign his mind, body and soul into the Marine Corp I didn’t understand. In his simple explanation he told me it was to assure our freedom. This includes speech. I think as we all wait to hear from our sons, daughters, husbands and wives who are serving we all comb the internet looking for those images or words that give us some insight on how are loved ones are. As we find things to occupy our time while our minds always wonder to how all are fairing. We cling to anything we find. Mr. Tate you have satisfied a craving and given a peace to us that you will never understand. As much as we may not agree or understand how anyone may not see this, they are entitled to their opinions. Yes, they do not have to read your writings, but they are entitled to share their comments, good bad or indifferent. I am sure, like so many of us, sometimes the frustration of all of this becomes overwhelming. I ask that you do not take any of this as a personal attack on you from anyone. It’s simple, you can’t please all of the people all of the time. Please, do not change a thing. Removing articles, pictures or thoughts doesn’t make anything go away or the world spin a little easier. It’s a war. Some of us don’t like it, some of us can’t understand it, but we all are very proud and support the lives that are on the line for us. That includes you and what you do to bring us that bit of information we all want to hear. Do not be ashamed to ask for what you need to help with that. Do not be ashamed to say that you sacrifice things in your life to do something you are passionate about. Where would we be if these strong souls didn’t feel that way too. If you have truly offended or someone feels betrayed by things you have said or done, apologize as you have. That is the best any of us can do. I ask that you do not change what you have made your lifes journey. As I sit here and tears stream down my cheeks, I can only say that I am so thankful for what you have shared with me. It goes beyond words and brings such warmth on those days I wish I could turn back time and see my son playing in his sandbox without a care in the world and I could just wrap my arms around him and protect him from the realities of the world. In closing, I hope we all can find some comfort in something we read on our loved ones. If it isn’t these writings, some piece of news that can make each of us happy. Thank you

By: David Tate

David Tate — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:18:53 +0000

Rodney,

Great to meet you as well. Glad you made it home!

Dave

By: Rodney Van Doren

Rodney Van Doren — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 03:09:24 +0000

Hello Dave,
Wow meeting you in Dubai was a real eye opener. To find a man that is so dedicated that he gives up his yearly vacation time to go to Afghanistan shows me that he truly is interested in what is really going on. I myself spent time in the US NAVY and at 52 years old I am still very interested to hear the REAL STORY as to what is going on over there. Our Men and Women in the service deserve to have someone that is willing to give up there time to tell it like it really is. I watch the NEWS and SEE what The BIG Boy’s want us to see and hear. However it is guy’s like YOU, going out there to see the REAL side of what is happening that help in keeping all the Big News organizations from telling and showing us nothing more then a bunch of propaganda. I Love My Country and I know that our young men and women are spending their time over there for a good reason. We as Americans need to know the Truth about how it really is over there. It is nice to know that these fine young people do more then just shoot to kill. That they are real people with real stories, some not so good and some not so bad. As humans just trying to survive to make it another day until all those days add up to enough time so that they can come back home to the USA. I think it is very good to hear about something other then how many got shot today and how many died today. WE see and here that from the Big News Companies, daily. Thank YOU, Dave, for YOUR efforts. I really believe that you did our troops a great service by going over there. Please keep on going over there and telling us the REAL STORY. Even if some of the stories may be a little embarrassing because they were a silly mistake made by a real person.

By: David Tate

David Tate — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:25:08 +0000

Air mattress: There are very thin, rugged mattresses available at camping outlets. Mine rolls up in a very compact manor, weighs just two pounds and is a lifesaver. Other than being mobile in the event of an overnight patrol, these mattresses can be used on the standard USMC cot as insulation from cold air working up from the floor. It’s a piece of equipment that I go everywhere with. Thanks for reading.

By: Kevin and Connie

Kevin and Connie — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 01:47:13 +0000

David,
We are the proud parents of a 3/8 marine currently deployed to the NowZad area. We certainly appreciate any information that we can get regarding conditions that our Son faces. We are grateful to your willingness to provide this info regardless of your motivation. In your defense, the woman who attacked your story was simply putting her own perspective on the facts that you presented. In her mind, she is right and in ours, you are not wrong. Keep up the good work. PS–We are picking up air mattresses to send to our guys. We had not thought of that one.

By: Jodi

Jodi — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:07:04 +0000

Wow! I am the wife of a Marine officer and the mom of a 3/8 Marine and I am blown away by this complaint! The other 3/8 parents that I know LOVE this blog and, in our weekly chat room, it is often discussed and new postings are always excitedly anticipated. My hubby and I LOVED the radio story and the Sgt Cable story and have read them to so many people – it gave the Marines a “human side” that a lot of Americans never get to see! At one point, I was reading the radio story to my 16 year old son’s friends, and after they finished laughing, one of them said, “That’s funny – it’s like they’re just like us!” THAT is exactly what America needs to know! Thank you David!!

By: Rett

Rett — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 09:23:36 +0000

I would like to say that I have had the privilege of going on patrol with Mr. Tate right here is Afghanistan. Just so everyone knows: It is public that we are located in the areas that we are. Being a journalist isn’t always about writing about killing and fighting. Mr. Tate, or Dave as we called him, has a pretty good understanding of Marines in general. Life comes down to a lot more than fighting here. The simple fact is, he is trying to explain the way we live in a way that few others before him have attempted. It is b/c of some people that this is hindered and your chances of understanding are far less now. This parent that is complaining will NEVER understand what it is like to be here, the bond we have and the stupid little things we do with one another. The time we spend together and the ways we spend it can never be replicated. She will never have any understanding what so ever about what is going on here. The Marines who we have served with that have been injured or killed do not wish to be written about, what can words do for them? The Marines they served with are the only ones that will ever know what happend to them and for what cause. People don’t need to read about that and deff don’t need to write about it. The ones that were there understand what happend and will honor them for a life time. You don’t deserve the prevlidge of that knowledge sitting on your sofa. I would like to thank Dave for the time I spent with him and this blog which has provided support for hundreds of family members back home. Thank you Mr. Tate and you are welcome on patrol with us any day.

By: Kate

Kate — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:30:39 +0000

This is the only blog reporting the war in Afghanistan.
What I have learned from this blog.
The conditions are primitive.
The Afghan Army stands up and fights. (good information)
The culture is insurmountable. Archaic allegences and overarching poverty make tribal chiefs play both sides.
Swat was overrun by the taliban but is a beautiful place (if you believe the posters)
The rules of engagement are rediculous and will bite us in the ass in the end. ( no it’s not redundant)

And if you want info on who is where just go to the casualty DOD news releases. You can extrapolate what units are where.

By: KEITH BRIMMER

KEITH BRIMMER — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:06:45 +0000

david, just started reading your stuff and im happy to say its great!keep it up.as a marine parent,if my son were deployed right now i would love to get any imformation i could get from a embed.the not knowing is what hurts families the most i beleive.
im kinda surprised at the reaction from these people.i in no way saw anything that should upset anyone.if you didnt respect the Marines and what they do i doubt you would be there.
keep reporting history david!dont let the bastards get you down.
F.I.D.O. david

may the lord keep you and all our boys safe
best regards
keith brimmer
feel free to email me.

i have not donated yet but will soon