Comments for Moment of Truth in Iraq - Reader Comments at http://www.michaelyon-online.com , comment 1 to 129 out of 20 comments http://www.michaelyon-online.com Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:41:41 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-21334 Michael- I was in Q-west when you were in Mosul in Summer 05. As the base dentist I was not in combat. I followed your blog and was looking forward to the next dispatch. In 2008 I was in Diwaniyah south of Baghdad when the Shiites started shooting. At FOB Echo I learned a ton. After all of that I have to say that your book is the best writing I have seen and you are doing great work. I devoured your book and when my practice in Las Vegas picks up I will gladly donate to keep you traveling and writing. Fresh and true-the best. Major Joe Cheever USAR, - Joe Cheever Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:02:49 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-20435 I've been following Michael's dispatches since 2005, and have come to believe he's the only combat reporter of his generation worth a damn. He's our Ernie Pyle. He has the guts to go in harm's way; not just for a couple of days, a week, a month, but time after time after time. And he has the military background and experience to understand and clarify what he sees, and what Americans need to know about their wars and about their young warriors who fight them. - Steve Ross Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:14:11 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-19634 I found your site from another forum, and I got your book after reading your dispatches. The book was fantastic, and I chewed through it in less than a day. So many times the national news is just a collection of sound bites and dire stats; we rarely get this kind of reporting. I recommended this book to my wife, who is very nervous about her brother who is in a Minnesota Reserve Unit. The Unit is going to ship out for Iraq or Afghanistan in the near future, and she is pretty worried. Reading this book sheds light on what our soldiers can do, especially in tough situations in strange lands. Let's just hope that our leadership in Afghanistan have read this a time or two. We really need to get the Afghans to turn away from the Taliban. Keep up the great work, Michael. We will try to keep you reporting as soon as we can! - Tom Domres Mon, 03 Aug 2009 16:45:32 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-19617 I picked up the book last year and i read it in one day. I was also a member of deuce four during OIF 3, i was 3rd PLT 73rd. Thank you for writing it, I really appreciate the way it was written. - SSG Johnson Sun, 02 Aug 2009 16:50:37 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-19610 My god Michael the photographs alone are worth the visit to this site. They are stunning and tell an incredibly moving story. Then there are your dispatches and the book. It's such a service you are doing. This reporting is straight forward, unbiased and so informative that every person living in every country involved in this conflict ought to have the opportunity to come here and read and see for themselves what you have to say. Thanks for the incredible service you are providing. In fact there's really not enough thanks. - Alice Paul Sat, 01 Aug 2009 14:26:38 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-19434 First and foremost, let me start by saying one of my favorite books I have read to date despite being the hardest read. Some of those pages took me back to a place I have long repressed. I was a member of 2nd Plt C CO back in the Duece. I was there in the chow hall that day, my platoon was manning COP Tampa when it was hit, and even accounts that you did not write about...the book took me back. Not in a bad way, just things that I think we push back into the dark corners of our mind to be able to participate in everyday life. My mother has had the book since it came out, and gave it to me some time back it wasn't just until late that I have found the courage to read it. That being said this is to Duane Pionk, I knew your son well....he was my first squad leader when I first reported to FT Lewis as a cherry private...and as I "grew up" in the Army he would always check back up on me....I am proud to say the I knew him. I was manning the radios on my Stryker When I heard the news, He will be missed greatly by all of us. SGT Justin Higgason 3/2 SCR - SGT Justin Higgason Sun, 19 Jul 2009 23:22:18 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-19273 Mr. Yon what a great book this is. It gives the truth about what went on over in Iraq. My son s.f.c. matt pionk was with the Deuce four and what you have written in the book is what he told me. Matts platoon SGT. lost is leg by a mortor, matt under fire got him to safety and air lifted out of there. They then made Made matt platoon sgt. They patroled the remaining months without any casualtys. He received the bronze star and army commendation medal w/valor. Matt was K.I.A. on his 2nd deployment with the second stryker calvary regiment. Matt and 5 other brave heros were all killed in a house rigged to blow in the Diyala province. Gen. Brown and Col. Kurrila came to the funeral along with many other fellow soldiers to give him honor. They are all amazing people and made me so proud of him even though the pain was terrible. I have had a couple speaking engagements and I have quoted out of your book. I also brought up what Michael Moore said about baby Farah and our soldiers. What a piece of garbage he is. Any way keep up the good work as the people deserve the truth that you are giveing. Thank you for your service and you are a great american. Thanks, Duane Pionk - Duane Pionk Thu, 25 Jun 2009 03:26:38 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-18718 I have one of the original signed copies, and I would have to say that it is the best book I have read in a long time. It took me all of two days to read it. I have been receiving your dispatches for several years now and I read every one of them. Your writing and desire to tell the truth definitely sets you apart from the myriad of reporters who have a schedule to keep. Now, the next issue, Major Scialdone.. I am a Marine that served from 94 to 98. As such, I fail to see how you, a Major, could be so insulting. You do a severe dishonor not only to the Corps, but to our Brothers and Sisters of the US Army. I hope that you have some good SNCO's to assist you in removing your foot from your mouth. Bryan Andrew Cpl USMC 94-98 - Bryan Andrew Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:38:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-17045 Mr. Yon, I am a homeschool mom of 2. I found out about your book and website from an interview you did I believe on Fox News. I grew up as an Air Force brat and have a special heart for the military and am always stressing to my kids the special sacrifice that the soldiers and their families make so we can be free. I reserved a copy of your book "Moment of Truth in Iraq" at the local library and picked it up yesterday. Well I must tell you I started reading it yesterday after our school day was done and could not put it down! I finished your book at about 1:30am. My daughter is 16 and we do alot of current event and worldview work together for her schooling. She witnessed first hand my total absoption in your book and is going to start reading the book as part of her schooling today. I have been so starved for true information to share with my children (and for myself) about the war and what our soldiers go through to keep us safe. Your book and website are wonderful. My husband and myself sacrifice alot so that we can teach our children at home and instill our values into their hearts. That also includes being able to think and be discerning and seeing the world as it really is and hopefully becoming an adult with intergrity who can make a positive contribution to our country in whatever they may ultimately pursue in life. Money is extremely tight in our family but I intend to support your effort as soon as we get paid on Friday. Mr. Yon you are also on our morning prayer list as we start our school day. God Bless you!!! - Debra Harris Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:30:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16991 Michael; I am digging out of bankruptcy so can not afford to give you support at this time. Let me say, however, that through my part time second job at Barnes and Noble I was able to read your book. Thank you for giving us a perspective that no one else has. While I am a pro Iraq war conservative, I am tired of all the so called reporting with an agenda. Reading your dispatches and book make me realize that while we may not have been right going in, we have to get it right and finish. Also, as the son of a vet, and as someone who has worked with many military in the past, I am thankful for the way you portray them as truly human, concerned about people and trying to do the right thing. You are carrying out a vital mission and I must say you deserve praise from all Americans. - Len D'Alotto Tue, 20 Jan 2009 05:19:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16983 Michael, I received your book for Christmas, completing its reading last weekend. Thanks to your insight I have gained a greater understanding of how things were turned around in Iraq, along the way gaining renewed respect for those who in service of their country have taken on a most difficult task and come close to achieving what at one time looked impossible. Keep up the good work and look after yourself, we need your reporting as a way of getting some appreciation of what is really going on in these far flung places. Best wishes for 2009. Barry Sheridan - Barry Sheridan. Chandlers Ford. England Mon, 19 Jan 2009 11:22:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16640 Michael, Firstly, thank you for the personal courage, integrity and commitment it took to bring to the world the true "on-the-ground" perspective that you have with your book. You obviously never lost the qualities it takes for a young soldier to make it through Q course and A school! I'm a former 11C and current captain in the US Air Force, yet haven't had the privilege of serving in theater. Consequently, to get an honest read of the work our people are doing there, and to read the stories of the courageous, innovative, and principled actions of our folks was not only inspiring, but humbling. I've had the honor to serve our country a lot of years in many countries, and while I've always been proud of my country, my service, and my brethren in arms, your book reinvigorated my faith the sons and daughters of America are once again showing the world through their deeds and commitment that our nation truly is the city on the hill, and the paragon for decency, generosity, and principle that we aspire to be; despite having stumbled we still seek our true north on the path of righteousness and goodness. Is there another nation on earth, or in the history of the world, that has given as much of itself to other peoples as has ours? Your book shows the world the men and women of our armed forces represent the true heart and soul of America, as they're the sons, daughters, sisters, brothers, mothers, fathers, and grandparents of our nation from across the entire social strata of our country. They embody the true American values, and with their courage, commitment, and dedication to the mission of making a better Iraq for the Iraqis are the best possible goodwill ambassadors we could have. To Major Scialdone: Sir, with all due respect to you, your 25 years of service, and your Corps, you're not only incredibly wrong in your reaction to Michael's book, but in whining so publicly and childishly (and barely literately) over a **perceived** slight you've represented not only yourself poorly, but also your fellow Marines far less well than they deserve. I hold the Corps in very high regard, however you, sir, have represented your Corps so far less commendably than one would expect from a Marine officer. Your reaction is shameful, and deserving of the scorn heaped upon it to date. As a former Army infantryman, I take great exception to your characterization of Soldiers as something other than "real warriors"; it's a slap in the face to every Soldier that has faced enemy fire, been wounded, or died serving our nation. How dare you sit in your retired armchair and disparage our men who are under fire every day by stating they're not "real warriors"? It's the very essence of sniveling, juvenile, adolescent behavior I would have expected a retired officer to have long outgrown. A laugh at the expense of our brethren in uniform is always good fun, and we should all take pride our our own branch, but you have gone beyond the pale with your statement. Inter-service rivalry is a wonderful thing, but those of us who still serve never forget "U.S." comes before our branch of service. You claim to have been at the Chosin Reservoir (although you misspelled it) and Vietnam [http://www.network54.com/Forum/169291/thread/1174780849/last-1174851529/OOH+RAH], but your comments questioning the warrior spirit of our current fighting men would seem to give lie to that claim for I've yet to meet a combat veteran that would so publicly disrespect their fellow warriors (other than in good natured jest of the inter-service kind, which your comments clearly were not). Major Scialdone, you, sir, should be ashamed. Once again Michael, thank you so much for your work on this book, and in the AOs to bring us the true story of the guys on the ground who are getting the job done. Thank you for YOUR service to the truth! Capt. JD - Capt. JD Mon, 05 Jan 2009 08:38:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16611 Michael, You, Bill Roggio and Michael Totten were the saving grace for and Old Sailor who was bloody tired of the B/S put out by our Media!! That being Said, Major Scialdone I believe the Army felt the same way when the Marines got all the credit @ Guadalcanal when the Army was there to. So far as I can tell the Army Green Beret, the Navy Seals, Air Force, Air Force Special ops. US Navy Delta Force, US Coast Guard and the US Army all listed in no particular order on a cold morning in Idaho.. A team is only as good as itƒ??s members, all of them. A do not buy is a bit childish for a Marine Major,,, - Bob Kausen Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:53:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16507 I have been fortunate enough to work with Michael first hand in Iraq. He is the preeminent non-military authority on the war in Iraq. He truly cares about the Soldiers and their work. A lot of journalists are hard to work with, are prima donnas, or are too sissy to really get out there and report from the front. Not Michael. When he hits the ground in an AO he wants to get out with the Soldiers immediately. No lounging around a Brigade or Battalion HQ. Straight to to COP. And Michael, your comments about certain journalists not wanting the war to end is spot on. We know who they are (especially one particular female journalist), and it really is unfortunate. They cover the war for the wrong reasons: to make their careers, while you have covered the war to tell the truth, whether good or bad, and to tell the Soldiers' stories. I really enjoy reading the progress of Rashid. Any updates you could give on 60th Street would be great. When we were leaving it was being brought up for a "Doura-esque" recovery. Really wondering how that worked out. - Ben Washburn Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:37:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16449 I'm graduating with a B.S. in Computer Science in May. I'm also getting married in May. In June, I leave for BCT and OCS for (hopefully) MI in the U.S. Army. In two days I'll be driving 900 miles to watch my older brother graduate AIT, as he enlisted in the Army to be an MP. We are following in our father's footsteps, who served for over twenty years in the Army. I needed this book not because I want to hear about the heroism of our troops, nor to reassure me that we can or are winning in Iraq. I needed this book because I needed the truth about what's happening over there. Having finally finished it (it took a backseat to some school stuff for a week) I can honestly say that this is the most important book I've ready throughout my entire college experience. To Michael Yon, and all members of the U.S. Military, Thank You. To anyone who hasn't read this book, please go pick up a copy and read it. The more people that understand what's going in the world the better. I promise you won't be disappointed. - John Haasenritter Sun, 30 Nov 2008 04:58:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16445 I just finished the book, and I firmly believe it should be required reading for high school classrooms. I'm recommending it to friends who have similar views, but more importantly to people who have been fed a steady diet of network news and need to hear the truth. I'm ordering more copies and hope it makes it into paperback. - Scott Elliott Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:04:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16419 Long ago I was chaplain for 2-16 IN when 1LT Mark Bieger talked with me about his concern for the demands the Army was placing upon him and his family life. I remember encouraging him to think it through and see if it he could find a way to balance it all. I don't know how that turned out. However, I was confident this young West Pointer had the goods. From the picture on Michael Yon's book, my assessment was right on target. I knew Mark Bieger was the right stuff; subsequent events have proved that assessment to be spot on. Congratulations to Michael Yon for a great book and to Mark Bieger who has made us all proud to be Americans. CH Gore, OIF, 2004. - R J Gore Fri, 21 Nov 2008 05:52:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16227 Michael I just got your book from my daughter on 9/11, my birthday. I am also a survivor of 9/11 and member of FDNY. I follow both wars as much as I can but your posts are the best the, the Truth. On 9/11 things my father instilled in me the Airborne spirit of never giving up and never ask your men to something you wouldn't do, Never Leave a Man Behind and something I was always impressed with on his uniform crest De Oppresso Liber. If you come to NY email me. God Speed - Mike Cain Tue, 21 Oct 2008 22:47:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16219 I, for the life of me, don't understand why we as a wonderful country don't expose more of Michael's powerful material. I have read alot of books up untill I purchaced Michael's and while reading it I felt I was right next to him as he viewed everything he wrote. His Passion for the Truth and for the people had me just melting. Michael, along with serving this beautiful country as a veteran, and now as a true human being who cares is a trait that is far and few between. As a fello Veteran, I consider you a true Hero! Thank You, I will follow you and pass your work on to whom ever I meet. Bless you, Craig Zinkoski - Craig Zinkoski Mon, 20 Oct 2008 16:44:00 +0100 http://www.michaelyon-online.com/moment-of-truth-in-iraq-reader-comments.htm#comment-16151 Mr. Yon, In the hope that you read these postings, I take this opporutnity to say Thank You! Thank you for giving voice to the incredible courage, intelligence, patience and character of the American military in Moment of Truth in Iraq. I will be sending copies of your book to anyone and everyone I know that needs to hear this story. I thank you as well for your courage and fortitude. I thank you for telling this story and the ongoing quality and importance of the work you do. You can be assured of my ongoing support. Thankfully, Dennis Landry - Dennis Landry Sat, 11 Oct 2008 23:50:00 +0100