Welcome back, Amy!

Amy, we are proud of you and we rejoice in your safe return.
--Arkansas Online

Amy,
Well Done!! When's the book tour? And finally, has the paper sprung for a non-uparmoured limo yet? ;)
Thanks!
--JOE BALLMANN, New Orleans, La. <4/8/2005 11:24:15 AM>

Hello, Amy! First I want to say welcome back and great job! But there are a couple of things I want to ask you for. Spc. John Lee is a really good friend of mine and he wrote me a while back. I've since lost the letter and couldn't reply. I feel absolutely horrible about the whole deal. But when I came across this while looking for John's address, I figured you could help me. I would greatly appreciate it more than anything if you could give me an address for John so I could write him and send him a letter or a care package or something to let him know that haven't forgotten about him. I'm just a goof and lost the letter! Thank you so much! I really enjoyed that picture that you have of him getting pinned, too. It's a really good one! Thanks again!
--VON CURRY, Bloomington, Ind. <4/7/2005 10:13:12 PM>

Hi Amy, welcome home. You were with some of the guys in the 39th that I know and you did help me know more than I would have had you not been there. I was glad for all to return home and you as well. Thank you so much for having the courage to do what you did. May God bless.
--EVELYN CHWALINSKI, North Little Rock, Ark. <4/7/2005 12:01:58 PM>

Ma'am,
I sincerely thank you for your service to your country. I'm aware your objectivity as a journalist is paramount but thank you for the sacrifices and hardship you endured through the last year. 1st Sgt Cagle, C Co 3-153IN and I co-host a radio show (authorized by the PAO) on Wednesday mornings. It would be very honored if we could do a phone interview about your time. If you're tired of thinking about Iraq and don't wish to respond I entirely understand. Again, thank you for everything you have done to draw our hearts closer to those serving in Iraq.
Sincerely,
Keith Lingenfelter
operationsidekick.org
--KEITH LINGENFELTER, Jonesboro, Ark. <4/7/2005 11:25:00 AM>

Thank you, Amy! My brother in law, 1LT. Tim Stith was in the Green Zone and just returned a few weeks ago. He is part of the Arkansas National Guard. Your stories have helped us stay in touch with his world this past year. I love your sense of humor and how you have taken such care in reporting on the lives of the soldiers. God Bless You! Good luck in all your future endeavors.
--CHRISTI MCDONALD, Louisville, Ky. <4/7/2005 9:08:56 AM>

Welcome back Amy, have enjoyed your blog throughout the months.
We don't have it nearly as tough here at the embassy complex : )
Take care,
--DOC, Baghdad, Iraq <4/7/2005 8:56:52 AM>

Amy!
Thank you for your insightful blog while in Iraq. My stepson, Captain Neal Mayo of A Company will be coming back to Tennessee to see us in a few weeks. Your writing was personally rewarding and I hope you are published soon. Welcome back. You did your country, state and newspaper proud.
--DENNIS L. WEBB, Nashville, Tenn. <4/6/2005 11:25:36 PM>

Welcome back I enjoyed your comments on Iraq. My wife, Ronda and I have a son in Taji Iraq, He left Fort Stewart, Ga., January 17, 2005. Spent three weeks in Kuwait, been in Camp Cooke ever since. He's with the 3rd Infantry Division, Spc. Jason Williams. If you can lighten our worries some on things there please do. Thanks again
--DANNY WILLIAMS, Senath, Mo. <4/6/2005 11:04:17 PM>

Hey Amy! I am a big fan!!! Thank you so much for connecting me to that part of the world. My nephew Jeffrey Williams from Delta Co. was over there. You helped me to see the reality of it all. My sister is Kim Williams and we read all your stuff! You are a brave woman! I would love to meet you some day. Also, if you want a free dental check up let me know. I am a dental hygienist and would love to offer you that for what you have done for me. God Bless You! Glad you made it! I have offered this to all the soldiers I know as a token of my appreciation. It is the least I can do. Best wishes always and thanks again! Stephanie
--STEPHANIE KLEYPAS, Searcy, Ark. <4/6/2005 10:05:25 PM>

Thanks for your writings and welcome home. Both the Baghdad Blog and your articles were excellent. You gave us the facts just as you saw them without bias. Your work reminded me of Ernie Pyle. I hope you write a book about your experiences.
--JAMES R ANDERSON, Batesville, Ark. <4/6/2005 4:10:00 PM>

Amy,
I would like to thank you for your stories while you were there. I had a son who was there at the same time as you but he was not in the green zone, he was with the 1-9th in another part of Baghdad but your stories which I read everyone of them helped me to keep going. It was the longest year of my life and I am so glad that it is over. My son did not meet you and did not know what I was talking about when I asked him about you and if he was in any pictures but you helped me. My son is in the Sheridan unit and was stationed at the airport in the middle of Baghdad. So, I just want to thank you for keeping a mother sane to see her son come home safe!!!! Thank you so much.
--SHEILA CAMP, Prattsville, Ark. <4/6/2005 2:43:40 PM>

Amy,
Several months back a friend that was with you in Baghdad sent me an e-mail and the link to the Blog online. Everyday I couldn't wait to see what you had written. Not only do I commend your bravery and giving so freely of yourself for the benefit of others at home like me (who wonder daily what's going on), but you are an incredible journalist. I was brought to tears, I laughed aloud, and the suspense about your next step in your journey was like a novel unfolding before my eyes! You truly are an exceptional writer. On the guest book for you I read where a woman said that all of us "Arkies" would buy your book if you'd write one from your journal, and trust me I would be one of the first! You made me feel the grit of the dry sand, smell the stench in the air, hear the sounds of gunfire, and taste the wonderful taste of real, cold milk. I even felt the chill down my spine when you told about the RPG being put into a tube. I can hear that loading sound now. Only a true journalist/writer can captivate their reader and make them come back for more! To all the troops and to you, God Bless You All!!!! Welcome Home and most importantly ... Thank You!!
--MELANIE HARRIS, Palestine, Ark. <4/6/2005 2:19:49 PM>

Thank you for all the stories. It really helped stay in touch with the troops.
--NICK MORRISON, Yukon, Okla. <4/6/2005 2:14:54 PM>

Seen any Weir Camels lately? I have some information for you pertaining to the Bradley County Memorial Day Service and the Armory Dedication. Please contact me.
Oh yea, welcome back. Job well done.
--JOHN LEE DOSS, Warren, Ark. <4/6/2005 12:35:29 PM>

Thank you for the job you did from Iraq. You articles were very good.
--MARY GOSVENOR, Chidester, Ark. <4/5/2005 4:15:37 PM>

Amy,
Thank you for your service to Arkansas and its troops. My wife has collected all your articles and blogs and put them in a scrap book for our son who was there in the 1/206th. We really appreciate what you've been through.
Ken & Twyla Sue Green
--KENNETH GREEN, Paris, Ark. <4/5/2005 3:59:02 PM>

Amy,
Thanks for all the stories you wrote while you were with Co. B 3/153 of the 39th BCT. You and the photographers with you did an outstanding job. It has been a pleasure to know and work with you over the past year. If we are mobilized again I hope you can and will go with us. My family tracked all that was happening by reading your articles. I am glad that we do have media people like you that reports what really happens to the soldiers when they are in harms way. Again Thank You. HOOHAH
--1SG HOWARD MORRIS, Augusta, Ark. 72006 <4/5/2005 11:32:56 AM>

I just wanted to let you know that I appreciate what you have done keeping us back home informed of what life was like over there with our loved ones. I always checked out your web page every chance that I got. My brother was with the 239th Engineer out of Booneville.
--THERESA SCHAEFFER, Pottsville, Ark. <4/5/2005 11:25:22 AM>

Amy, Thank you for your very informational blog! My husband arrived in Baghdad, Iraq a month before the time you left. He is with a California National Guard Unit at Camp Falcon. I stumbled on your blog near the end of the tour. It has given me a sense of understanding of what my husband is experiencing through a civilian's eye. I thank you, for it has given me peace at a time of sadness and fear. You have truly captured the brotherhood and pride of what soldiers mean to each other. You have shown me that while I cannot be physically there to support him, his men are. I never really knew how it was until I read your stories and saw through your eyes. I appreciate the humorous stories and laughter that was heard throughout your time. I hope my husband will be able to come home having experienced some wonderful memories. I appreciate you teaching me that there will be good along with the bad. Thank you again. I am glad for your safe return and that of all the brave men and women who served along side of you.
--JANELL MYRICK, Turlock, Calif. <4/5/2005 3:15:21 AM>

Dear Amy Schlesing,
Thank you so much for your courage and dedication. Your online journal made me feel connected to my brother, an officer with the 39th, and I can't thank you enough for that. You are a true soldier, and it's good to have both you and my brother home. Welcome back!
--TARA BODEKER, Fayetteville, Ark. <4/4/2005 9:01:41 PM>

Just wanted to thank you again for all of your articles. They made us feel a little less out of touch with our nephew while he was in Iraq.
It took a lot of courage for you to stay over there all the time the Arkansas group was over there. Again, thanks,
--M. GEORGE, Lake St. Louis, Mo. <4/4/2005 7:49:02 PM>

Welcome back Amy! I so enjoyed your articles in the paper. I read them every day and they made me feel as though I were right there with our brave men and women. Thanks so much for all you did over the past year. You showed true courage and bravery to be there and report on our soldiers.
Regards,
Robert
P.S. I think you deserve a Pulitzer!
--ROBERT L. BARRETT, Maumelle, Ark. <4/4/2005 7:47:12 PM>

Amy, your work meant so much to me. I served with many of the soldiers you wrote about while a platoon leader and detachment commander in Hope, AR. Your writing kept me informed and helped me to keep sane, despite constant worries about them. God bless!
--TIM KOSCHESKI, Dallas, Texas <4/4/2005 4:26:39 PM>

Amy,
Welcome Home! I hope that you are adapting back to 'normal' life. Thank you for all the articles and the blog. And to the photographers, thank you for the pictures. You ALL did an absolutely amazing job! It helped so much to read some of what was going on while my husband was there. Thanks again.
--LISA LYNN, Magnolia, Ark. <4/4/2005 3:34:15 PM>

You were a link to the soldiers and families that I missed when your articles did not appear on the site. God bless you for risking your life to provide us information on our son's living situations and what it was really like for them.
I hope your book is a best seller ... I'll buy it.
--JOHN F. PINCHOTTI, Baden, Penn. <4/4/2005 12:46:13 PM>

Amy,
Thank you so much for being the lone reporter from Arkansas to cover OUR soldiers from the battlefields. As the sister of a soldier (C-battery 39th), I turned to your paper's web site to read your articles and blog to give me some reassurance that Matt (my brother) was okay and the chance to get just a glimpse of him. (I did and of course, it was his best side LOL) For any soldier reading this, THANK YOU for the sacrifice you made to be away from your family, friends and work. And Thank You Amy for telling their stories, the good and the harsh reality that many of us would have never learned otherwise.
--ERYN HUNT, Greenwood, Ark. <4/4/2005 12:24:50 PM>

Hooah Amy! You helped us all get through it, and our families too.
--JAMES DWIGHT BENTON, Hot Springs, Ark. <4/4/2005 7:46:10 AM>

Thanks for telling the whole story concerning Iraq and our soldiers. You did a super job and I'm sure you're glad to be back.
Our whole unit (CBHCO-AR) enjoyed your enlightening stories of our soldiers and friends while in Iraq.
Way to Go and keep up the good work
--MAJ CHARLES K SMITH, North Little Rock, Ark. <4/3/2005 10:27:20 PM>

Amy,
Your words meant so much to me while my fiance was at Taji. I'll never be able to express how much understanding and comfort I gained from reading your words. You are an amazing person and I will always be grateful for what you've done for those of us back home. Thank you does not fully cover the depth of my gratitude, but I don't have your gift of words either. Thank you, thank you and thank you!!
--MARCIE BIGLEY, Round Rock, Texas <4/3/2005 7:04:23 PM>

I was in the 39th for many years and am now retired. I work as a contractor assisting the unit in their training and was with them at both Fort Hood and Fort Polk prior to deployment. Your articles helped me keep in contact with them, sharing both the joys and the sorrows. I believe that you have captured their essence, speaking for them, much as Rudyard Kipling did the soldiers of a previous century.
--JIM MONTGOMERY, Conway, Ark. <4/3/2005 5:30:00 PM>

You made me laugh and cry, this past year. Once a week I read the blog. Like an addict, I had to have my Amy fix. Thanks ... a bunch.
--RUBEN WILLIAMS, Bentonville, Ark. <4/3/2005 11:47:12 AM>

The 39th is back home. My soldier, Captain Keith Wilson, finally arrived home Thursday night. Today I have been working on his scrapbook and looking back on the past year. I am re-reading your articles and going back through your blog deciding what will go into his scrapbook. Those of us at home would rush to get the papers every morning to look for your articles and check the blog several times a day. It kept us in touch with our soldiers. It did more than that. We could feel their emotions and laugh and cry with them. We felt closer to them and understood what their lives were like in Iraq. We knew that regardless of what was happening, they were coping.
Welcome home, Amy. I hope to meet you one day, because you are my hero. You are deserving of a medal because you hung in for the duration and was in harm's way as much as the soldiers. Thanks for keeping us in touch with our soldiers and for giving us the material to preserve for our soldiers to enjoy for many years.
--JUDY WILSON BOLDING, Cabot, Ark. <4/2/2005 4:16:00 PM>

Hi Amy!
Robo and I wanted to say hello. We hope that you and Henry are doing well.
Rachel and Robo
--RACHEL MILLER, Three Rivers, Mich. <4/2/2005 2:12:02 PM>

Dear Amy,
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your personal sacrifice for "sticking it out" in a war zone and being our eyes and ears. I am so thankful that you made it home safely - there were a couple of times I was so scared for you! But knowing our men and their character - I knew they would take good care of you. I ( and our students and faculty) have grown close to so many of our local soldiers and their families through the FRG, the personal letters sent by the soldiers to our students/faculty, and the emails from their family members.
In a way I feel like you do - you and I have both nurtured and developed a bond with these fine brave soldiers and their families- and the time has come for closure. I feel we both have done our jobs - providing comfort, insight, and support - and praying everyday for their safe return. I never imagined I would spend days on end worrying about soldiers I have never met personally as well as their families, praying for them, crying for them, and burying one of them - Sgt Roustum....it ripped my heart out.
Our school adopted the 108th (both platoons) throughout their deployment, and I have counted on your postings to give us an inside view as to what is happening there. Of course, we did not share many of the postings with the students, but your photos of "OUR" soldiers were printed out, blown up, and posted in our trophy case where we have "our" Adopted Soldiers from Bravo Company honored. I printed out your articles for the faculty so they could better understand the daily grind that you and they endured during your year long deployment - and it helped put a more "human" touch on the men we have grown to know and love through your articles, pictures, and their personal letters. We not only adopted them - but they also "adopted" us! Through their letters, pictures, cards and postcards, they told us that "our voices were heard" over 6000 miles away! At one point, they said the other platoons were incredulous at all the mail they were getting! So - we both did our part in our own small way - and I want you to know that I cannot imagine sitting through this war without you there being the "guide on the side" giving us hope as we sat here wondering what was going on. Thank you AMY!
For the many people who have posted on this website from NY, please know that our school has sent several hundred (probably over a thousand) letters and care packages from our small school in Lockport, NY to our local soldiers from the 108th and have received hundreds of letters back - and several soldiers have taken time from their leave (R&R) to come in and say thank you to us for our letters and support (as well as Capt BAtt!!) - In all honesty, we owe the thank you to our brave soldiers (and their families) and to you, Amy, for your sacrifice... WE LOVE YOU, AMY, and our local soldiers and their families.
We wish the best for all of you - and I thank you so much for including our guys from the 108th in your coverage.
Take care and God Bless
Sherry from Lockport NY
--SHERRY SANSONE, Lockport N.Y. <4/2/2005 2:44:28 AM>

Welcome home and hope your new normal life does not bore you. My husband was at Gunslinger so your photos and articles helped me feel closer to him. He was a neighbor of yours and you have a pet that you shared over there Limmie Winks. Oh and he says the table story is absolutly true!! Again welcome home and thanks for the great stories that I now have printed for our three year old son to read when he is older I am sure he will enjoy them as well. Take Care...
--SHELLY ATKINSON, Rison, Arkansas <4/2/2005 1:11:39 AM>

I just want to thank you for your dedication to your job and your sense of humor. As the wife of a soldier who just returned from Iraq, it was refreshing to know that you all could find the humor in such a terrible place. It is a great stress reliever! Through your web log, I felt so much closer to my husband. Thank you for that!
--BLYTHE KWEEKUL, North Little Rock, Ark. <4/1/2005 10:53:33 PM>

amy, my son spc.chad e. johnson was there w/ the HHC of the 39th, I know you never met him, but thanks for the job you done.
--BUTCH JOHNSON, cabot, ark. <4/1/2005 7:50:41 PM>

Welcome Home and thank you so much for your work in Iraq. Although you didn't report directly on my husband's unit he was at Apache then Gunslinger so at least I got to see into a little of his world. Thank the photographers!!
--CINDY FLETCHER, Sheridan, Ark. <4/1/2005 4:09:42 PM>

Thank you Amy, Staton and Michael for your coverage on the 39th. My oldest daughter's husband was in Iraq from March of '03 to March of '04 with the army reserves 489 En. Bat. and my younger daughter's husband was there with the 39th. Your articles and photos have allowed me a glimpse of what they endured and have given me with a much better understanding of military life on the front line. Thanks for putting your lives at risk. God bless and continue to pray for our military members still in harm's way.
--RICK SMART, Benton, Ark. <4/1/2005 12:37:00 PM>

Amy, welcome home, you are an amazing lady and should be commended for your courage and writing ability. My son Sgt. Chris Teague was assigned to Delta Co. 1/153 at Camp Warrior. We didn't know where he was for most of his tour but I felt closer to him by reading your blog. I read each and every article and through your words, I could almost visualize what my son must have been going through. It made me feel that I was a small part of OIF. Our prayers for the 39th, this included you, have been answered but the work is not over yet. Prayers are still needed. Again, Amy, welcome home and may God bless you as you go through your reintegration into civilian life.
--STEVE TEAGUE, Jacksonville, Ark. <4/1/2005 11:10:51 AM>

You brought the experiences of the 39th 'alive' for me and my family. I would sometimes be weepy-eyed all day from the saddest of accounts. Other times I wanted to be there with all of you, even with the dust, raging sewage, and danger. Thank you for your gift to us.
--SALLY OSBURN, Tulsa, Okla. <4/1/2005 10:06:12 AM>

Amy,
Thank you for all you did this past year. My son SPC. George "Hudson" Hendricks was with Charlie Company 3rd Platoon. I craved any news I could find concerning the activities of these great young men. I just wish I knew more of their experiences. It seems that these men do not want or seek praise for what they did this past year and I can understand that. However, I cannot tell you how proud I am of my son and the other men he served with. Charlie Company experienced a lot of difficult times, right to the end of their deployment. I hope they continue to receive support from everyone. They will certainly have mine for life.
Once again Thank You!
Sincerely,
--CHRISTOPHER GEORGE HENDRICKS, Searcy, Ark. <4/1/2005 9:32:57 AM>

Amy, as you know during our e-mail discussions while you were in Iraq I cannot thank you enough for all that you did over there. Also for all the good coverage you did of my New York Soldiers. I am very glad I got to meet you in Ft. Sill, Okla., and that we had several chances to talk. Thanks again and welcome back to the world.
Troy
--1SG TROY STEWARD, Amherst, N.Y. <3/31/2005 10:40:05 PM>

I'm glad you're back safely, but I'm sad that you're not there anymore to write your stories. You were a great source of real life accounts of what it is like to be in Iraq. Thanks for the great reporting and observations. I'm sure that this has been a life changing assignment for you, congratulations on your success in completing it!
--CLARENCE WIGFALL, Sunland, Calif. <3/31/2005 10:14:17 PM>

I miss your blog already. Glad you made it home. I knew you were one of the guys when you started blogging about farts.
--TIM CLAYTON, Sherwood, Ark. <3/31/2005 4:26:45 PM>

Amy,
Welcome home!! My nephew arrived at Fort Sill yesterday from Camp Taji. Thanks for the interesting articles that you wrote and for giving us a view of the war that we would never have experienced. I'm going to miss hearing from you. I hope you have a smooth transition back to "civilian" life. Take care.
--LIZ THOMPSON, Baton Rouge, La. <3/31/2005 3:57:02 PM>

Amy,
Having retired from the 206th FA 39 Brigade a number of years ago, I have been quite interested in their deployment. A few are very close friends and fellow soldiers. I truly believe you captured the sense of brotherhood few can express between members of the military. It is quite apparent you accepted them and they accepted you. Plus, your sidebars concerning goats, dogs, cats, rodents and the mundane daily activities we all take for granted, put a human touch on the troops dealing with the stresses of combat from moment to moment. Thanks and I shall miss the delights of finding a fresh posting on the blog.
You have done well and should be proud.
--THOMAS E. BENTLEY JR., Frederick, Colo. <3/31/2005 3:07:46 PM>

Thank you for this Blog. It gave me a better understanding of what my son may be experiencing. I will definitely miss it. God Bless.
--MARYANNE HALLADAY, Hamburg, N.Y. <3/31/2005 8:39:26 AM>

I don't think my daughter would have made it thru this year without you. My grandson is a member of the 39th and somehow when we would get something new from you, it made everything seem OK. Thank you so much.
--BETTY J. MCGILL, Hot Springs, Ark. <3/30/2005 8:14:51 PM>

A great big THANKS for a super job. My son is in the 39Th and thanks to you, I had a better understanding of what he was dealing with on a day to day basis. You were our link to the Iraq world and your reports helped us to remain more connected to the real war. Our Family will always be grateful to you.
--GENE REEVES, Harrison, Ark. <3/30/2005 7:20:45 PM>

You have no idea how the 'blog' kept me sane during my son, Jonathan's (Niagara Falls, NY) tour of duty in Iraq! Each morning I would hear the casualty list and location and just hold my breath. By viewing the photos and reading the narratives, I was able to keep things in perspective. Some of the photos were breathtaking. You and the photographers are an asset to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and certainly should think of publishing your works. You did much more than provide a chronicle, you told the real story of the war ... heart-wrenching aspects, human interest, and even humor. Perhaps the original intent was just to provide information, but the text and the visuals provided first person documentation. A job very well done and greatly appreciated! Welcome home!
--AMY POLETTI JOYCE, Snyder, N.Y. <3/30/2005 12:03:01 PM>

My son was in Iraq with the 39th and your articles helped me get a better picture of what his life was like for the last year. Thank you.
--REBECCA HALTOM, Conway, Ark. <3/30/2005 11:27:14 AM>

Amy,
I had a nephew with the 39th who, luckily, got to come home earlier than most due to earlier service in Egypt. However, even after he left I still continued to read your blog whenever I had a chance. You really kept us Arkansans close to our loved ones and you did an absolutely amazing job. Good Luck and THANK YOU!
--JEANNE HUNT, Conway, Ark. <3/30/2005 11:10:29 AM>

Amy, I just finished reading your last article, "A Final Farewell." Just as a lot of them did, it brought tears to my eyes. My son is Timothy A. Beam, HHC 3BTN 3/153 (known by some as "lazer"). He was at Camp Gunslinger, most of his time in Kuwait. You will never know how you enlightened all of us back home. Your stories made us laugh and cry and gave us a small glimmer of what you guys were experiencing. As a mother, you brought me comfort that I can't explain. I especially loved the articles you wrote talking about the laughter. I was so glad to know that you all could still laugh through all of the bad. I thought if a girl could survive all of it, surely my big strong son could. Anyway, I just want to simply say, "thank you." That doesn't seem strong enough, but I'm not a writer like yourself. Just one mom who is so damn happy her son is home safe and sound. I grieve for all the other moms whose sons didn't make it home. I am grateful for you and your articles. You are a hero in my book right along side all of the other 39th soldiers. We are proud of you too. You did a great job. Welcome Home Amy. We love you.
--TERESA THOMPSON, Conway, Ark. <3/30/2005 10:21:37 AM>

Amy -- thanks for all your reporting and blogging this past year. My son has been in Baghdad as a free lance reporter for a major news outlet, and his best friend and our family dentist were at Camp Taji. I read your blog entries with great interest. I was able to get a different view of what's going on in Iraq through your work. Thanks much.
--MARY JANE HUDDLESTON, Conway, Ark. <3/30/2005 10:21:02 AM>

Dear Amy,
I don't have adequate words to describe what the work you have done over the past year means to me. The easy style you have with the words you put to paper allow the reader to feel as though she is standing with you just having a friendly chat. You instill a sense of trust that allows one the confidence to know that, while your writing is gentle, you won't mask the truth by ignoring what surrounds you.
To a worried mother, your words were priceless glimpses into a world that I had not known before my son was sent to serve in Baghdad.
The first time I read one of the articles you'd written that mentioned my son, Cpl. Christian Newton, I was at work. Here I sat in my little glass-walled cubicle with tears streaming down my face. I had the opportunity to get firsthand news about one of my children in a combat situation because you had agreed to place your life in danger so that I and thousands like me could have that privilege.
I feel the deepest gratitude for what you've done during this past year. I am certain this experience has changed your life in many ways and that you will continue to see it change as you process your experiences of the past year over time. I am equally certain that your gift of correspondence will take you as far as you wish to go in the field of journalism.
Thank you, Amy. God bless you.
--JOAN VAN HOUTEN, Holland, Mich. <3/30/2005 7:29:44 AM>

Hi Amy
Glad you made it home.
Just remember you have made a lot of friends who have your back.
If you need something give us a call.
SFC Edgar Onstott 2-153rd In Bn
S4NCO
--EDGAR W ONSTOTT, Newport <3/30/2005 6:16:58 AM>

just wanted to say thank you I had a friend stationed at Camp Gunslinger. Whenever I didn't hear from him I would look at your site and find comfort in your words that would tell me he was probably OK. I also continually looked at the online pictures to see if he would be there and finally towards the end of the stay I found one thank you
--NIDIA RAMOS, San Antonio, Texas <3/29/2005 10:47:48 PM>

Dear Amy
My daughter's fiancé, Spc. Joseph Aparo, was deployed with the 39th although he is from the 102nd Infantry from Bristol, Connecticut. I just want to thank you for your journal entries and news stories over the last year. You have no idea how much they were appreciated by us back home. You are a very gifted journalist.
God Bless You and Many Thanks!!
Sincerely,
--LINDA D. HINCKLEY, East Hartford, Conn. <3/29/2005 9:50:19 PM>

Dear Amy,
First of all, I want to welcome you home. I appreciate you keeping us informed on how our loved ones were doing. A lot of people don't even realize what you all have went through over there. Thanks again for everything ...
Theresa
RIP SGT. Kenneth A. Melton (Dad)
--THERESA MIELE, Batesville, Ark. <3/29/2005 8:37:45 PM>

Hello Amy,
The Melton family is really proud of you. That had to be hard being there and seeing everything, plus talking to the soldiers about everything that was going on over there. I just want to let u know that am really proud of u. Just keep the good work up. We're here for u.
My Dad, Kenneth Melton, was a true soldier that cared about his fellow soldiers and his people. Now he's at home with the lord.
Thank u so much Marie Melton. Thank u soldiers for everything that u all have done.
--MARIE B. MIELE, Batesville, Ark. <3/29/2005 8:11:49 PM>

Amy, my son was in the 39th and came home in Nov. 04. I read your journal every day and am so grateful to you for keeping us informed and updated. The photos were great too. He was an MP with B.G. Chastain. We are so glad most all our people are home or coming home now. Thanks again Amy and I'm glad you are safe now too. Bless you.
--SHARON CADY, Van Buren, Ark. <3/29/2005 7:35:59 PM>

Amy, your blog was well written, fascinating & new posts were one of the highlights of my day. Thank you for your insightful work.
--LAURA LECHNER, Ridgefield, Conn. <3/29/2005 7:24:03 PM>

Welcome back to the land of the big PX and thanks for bloq, it helped understand what the guys and gals in Iraq were going thru without the mainstream media's "spin." Hope the next few years are quiet and peaceful for you.
--MARK DURHAM, Pine Bluff, Ark. <3/29/2005 6:19:41 PM>

Amy, Just wanted to thank you for writing about our side of the war. I am glad you made it back safely to your family and Henry.
--SSG NATHAN BAKER, North Little Rock, Ark. <3/29/2005 4:25:20 PM>

Amy, Welcome home:
My son, Ssgt. Mark Davis (Charlie Co.), and son-in-law, Capt. David Grant (Camp Cooke), both were in Iraq. You have their family's thanks for your service there. Hey!! You need to write a book. I know a bunch of Arkies that would buy it. Thank you again brave lady
--DON DAVIS, Maynard, Ark. <3/29/2005 4:12:06 PM>

Dear Amy, Welcome home! Thank you so much for keeping us in touch with our 3 nephews in the 39th. Your blog was the reality we couldn't get anywhere else. You made it so real for us. We laughed, we cried. Thanks for the job well done. Uncle Bud & Aunt Billie Sue
--BILLIE SUE ZORNES, Booneville, Ark. <3/29/2005 3:40:21 PM>

You are a brave young lady and should be very proud of the endeavor that you just completed. I have enjoyed reading your blog and hope you receive some kind of award for it. Most of all I'm glad that you came back safe and sound, unlike some of those you reported on. God Bless You.
--RICHARD BASSETT, Little Rock, Ark. <3/29/2005 3:06:24 PM>

Thank you for your newspaper reporting -- I did not want to skip a word. Several months ago, F. Fellone was written to ask for a write -up on you, but he did not acknowledge my e-mail. Perhaps there will be a featured story on you. We had no relatives there, but we know parents of those who were. Welcome home!
--BARBARA HICKINGBOTTOM, North Little Rock, Ark. <3/29/2005 3:04:34 PM>

Thanks for letting us be a part of the deployment. It's nice to know what's happening to our guys while they're in harm's way.
You did a great job, and I truly am thankful for your service to your fellow Arkies.
--TOMMY LINDSEY, Mayflower, Ark. <3/29/2005 12:42:57 PM>

Amy (& photographer) - Thanks so much for your articles & the pictures!! They helped me understand what my son-in-law was going through. You even had his picture a few times -- which was very comforting. It was great to see through your eyes & articles what is really going on.
God Bless You!!
--BARBARA PERRY, El Dorado, Ark. <3/29/2005 12:41:44 PM>

Thanks for giving us a year of your life. I followed your reports with keen interest from Ft. Hood back to Ft Sill. I had close friends deploy with D 1/153. The stories you wrote helped me understand what they were living day to day.
--MORGAN RICHARDSON, Sheridan, Ark. <3/29/2005 10:56:53 AM>

Amy, Welcome back! Thank you for letting me "see" what Iraq was like from your words. It was a comfort just to be able to read your column everyday. Thanks again!
--NICOLE WILLIS, Prescott, Ark. <3/29/2005 10:50:17 AM>

To Amy,
Thank you. I enjoyed reading your stories. Some were fun and some were sad; it is reality of war. I am attached to the Taos, NM unit 1115th transportation Co. attached to the 39th Spt. Bn. Taji, Iraq.
It is good you are home safe. We are now in FT. Bliss, TX to demob. Thank You. Sgt. Murphy.
--DANIEL MURPHY, Houck, Ariz. <3/29/2005 10:14:19 AM>

Amy, you and your photographers did an excellent job, I'm surprised that a young woman would want to be put in that position but I'm sure you have matured as a person and as a reporter and that you will never forget what you have seen nor what you have learned , good or bad. I pray that you prosper in life and that you are able to settle back into the day to day life here. Our son just returned yesterday from Ft. Sill and he is now in the process of adjusting. My wife and I will remember you in our prayers and thanks again for a job well done.
--MIKE O. FERGUSON, Greenwood, Ark. <3/29/2005 7:40:32 AM>

Thank you so much Amy for your service of keeping us informed while in Iraq. When I wasn't hearing from my son, I could always read your journal entries and feel like it was a letter home. Thank you from the bottom of my heart and welcome home young lady.
--SYLVIA M. CAGLE, Pocahontas, Ark. <3/29/2005 7:40:29 AM>

Amy,
Words can not express to you how much your blog has meant to my family. My husbands nephew, Spc. Tron Beesley was with the 39th, and to read your blog was for me a way to see he was doing well.
You did a great service for so many families. By being there with the 39th, you gave us all a way to feel like we were connected to our love ones, And for that a simple Thank You will never be enough. God Bless you.
--CHELY BEESLEY, Hugoton, Kan. <3/28/2005 10:24:11 PM>

I would like to say thank you for keeping us updated on what was going on in Iraq and what life was like over there. I really enjoyed the picture you took of my husband. It was right after he got to Taji and I hadn't heard from him. Seeing his picture on the front page of the paper let me know that he was ok. Again thank you.
--ABBIE SMITH, Paris, Ark. <3/28/2005 8:48:04 PM>

Dear Amy, The news articles and blogs you wrote filled in big gaps between messages from my son, Sgt. Nathan Scott Tuttle, B. Co. of the 39th (Syracuse, NY) for the last year. I was better able to imagine and understand what was reported in the newspaper and read between the lines of some of the articles because of your reporting. You humanized the war, and compassionately reported the real story for both sides. None of our lives will ever be the same after this year. Thank you for your courage and for sharing your self and your talent with us who were waiting for news from our soldiers at home. Sincerely,
--CAROL SASS TUTTLE, Niwot, Colo. <3/28/2005 8:44:35 PM>

You are a brave young lady and a real credit to your nation. The story that you told did you and the 39th proud. Welcome home and thank you.
--MIKE PETERSON, London, Ontario, Canada <3/28/2005 7:48:22 PM>

Glad you made it home OK. Although we parted ways last November I read everything. It was the Highlight of my day when you would write a new one. Thanks for what you did and good luck in the future.
--SSG DAVID RAMSEY, HHC 3-153 Mortar Platoon <3/28/2005 5:25:06 PM>

I personally would like to thank you for all your reporting on our troops in the 39th and your personal experiences. I had not seen my son for almost 4 years until last Wednesday at Ft. Sill when I surprised him with my presence. You had kept me informed of what was happening even though you were not with my son's unit. It was great to hear what was happening even though some of it was not good news. My husband and I both enjoyed your reporting and feel that you are on your way to better things. I had hoped to meet you sometime to personally thank you but this will have to do. Thank you.
--CAROL DUNN, Kalama, Wash. <3/28/2005 4:21:56 PM>

Amy, I met you in the hotel restaurant. Said my thanks there but once again thank you for all you have done I know you risked a lot to bring their lives into ours.
--MICHAEL DANE, Lonsdale, Ark. <3/28/2005 2:45:30 PM>

Your web posts meant so much to me. I read every one and because I work at one of the 15 educational cooperatives in the state; I sent the URL to our area teachers and librarians and encouraged them to pass that information on to their students. You gave us all a front row seat, albeit a protected one, to what was happening in Iraq. I am very grateful. Thank you.
--CAROLE LANDRY, Camden Ark. <3/28/2005 2:26:38 PM>

Welcome Home Amy and God Bless the 39th!!
--STEPHANIE PRICE, Cabot, Ark. <3/28/2005 2:21:36 PM>

Welcome home Amy! As a fellow journalist I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate the job you did while embedded with our hometown heroes from the 39th Infantry Brigade as they served our state and nation in Iraq.
You helped to keep us in touch with soldiers we knew and even introduced us and made us feel like we were friends with ones we had never met. You helped to provide us with a glimmer of insight into their thoughts, emotions, trials, tribulations, and triumphs within a war zone. I'm sure that all of us at some point laughed, cried, cheered and mourned right along with you and our heroes even though we were thousands of miles away and in the safe comfort of our living rooms and offices.
Thanks in part to your work we can all appreciate even more the tremendous sacrifice they and you made on our behalf. We are proud of all of you. GREAT JOB!!!
Gratefully yours,
--JANET WILSON, Bald Knob, Ark. <3/28/2005 12:59:02 PM>

Welcome home! My husband is a former Commander of the 39th. He and I were so grateful to be able to read your blogs to get an overview of what the troops were doing. One of the soldiers in B Co. of 3rd Bn., in an e-mail, referred to you as "our lady friend that was with us the whole time over here." (I forwarded your "Farewell" entry to him -- he's still in Kuwait but scheduled to leave at any minute) Being referred to as a soldier's "friend" is quite a compliment, as you have learned, and you have earned the appellation! Maybe you could continue your blog for awhile to let the public know that re-integration into a normal life isn't as simple as walking off an airplane and into your home. And to let the troops know that they're not alone. Thanks again -- try to enjoy your very own bathtub, clean crisp sheets, and all the southern "comfort foods" you can swallow!
--TERRY PAULSON, New Orleans, La. <3/28/2005 12:51:12 PM>

Thank you so much for providing me with an inside view of what life was like for my son who served with the 39th. I checked your blog daily for new entries and savored every one of them. Your work helped to make a very difficult time a little easier. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
--ELEANOR EICHNER, South Windsor, Conn. <3/28/2005 12:27:51 PM>

Dear Amy
Thank you for all of your articles that you wrote while you were away. I really enjoyed reading them and being able to keep up with our troops while they were away. All of the photos were great also. I really appreciate all you did to keep us informed and for you coming home safe as well.
Sincerely
--ANGELA SHERMAN, Emerson, Ark. <3/28/2005 12:09:45 PM>

Thank you for your messages ... my son has returned home this weekend. It was always interesting to read your articles. Made us feel like we were there and kept us close to him.
--NANNETTE BUTLER, Lexa, Ark.<3/28/2005 11:46:34 AM>

Amy,
I work with Lisa Lynn here at BancorpSouth in Magnolia; her husband, Mike Lynn was with the Delta Diamondbacks. I admire all of you, soldiers, families and reporters who have given so much for our country. We had the pleasure of baby-sitting, at least once a week, Mike and Lisa's youngest little boy, Nicholas, while Daddy was serving in Iraq. When we started keeping Nicholas he was 6 weeks old, and now he is 18 months old!!!!! Their other little boy, Jeremy is 6 years old, and he was a real trooper while his Daddy was gone. But I don't think he has left Mike's side since they got home Saturday!!!!!
I never truly realized what our soldiers and their families sacrifice for our freedom until this past year. Amy, I truly appreciated your articles, it helped to give us an inside view of the day-to-day events. Thank God for the ones that came home safely and may God Bless the souls of those who didn't make it home.
I'm so thankful you are home safe and sound. Thank you again for your wonderful, eye-opening articles. If you are ever in this part of the state, stop in and say "hello"!!!!
Sincerely,
--CYNTHIA BOSWELL, Magnolia, Ark. <3/28/2005 11:33:58 AM>

Amy, what a wonderful job you did while traveling with our soldiers. My husband was with the 39th through June of last year. It meant so much to be able to click on your blog and find out what was happening with my soldier. Especially when there were few phone calls and I was sitting at home wondering what his life was like there, and more so, wondering how he was. It was a great relief to read your entries, they brought tears to my eyes almost every time I read one. I felt closer to my husband because of you and I thank you for that. I have kept up these past months because our friends were still there and we kept the faith at home. We are thankful and relieved that you are all home now, I hope the transition for you is an easy one. Bless you for what you did over there. You helped many families understand better what was happening and be able to deal with the deployments a little easier. Thank you =)
--TRACY WALTER, Chico, Calif. <3/28/2005 11:25:10 AM>

You have done a great job reporting on the Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade in Iraq. I always looked forward to news about John Stubbs, who is a friend. You always keep us very informed and I know the families of these guys really appreciated your courage to be right in the middle of things that their loved ones were going thru. The photographers did a great job too. You must be one guttie lady. Keep up your good work.
--MARILYN E. BRASWELL, DeWitt, Ark. <3/28/2005 10:17:42 AM>

Amy,
Thanks for keeping us abreast of what was going on with the 39th in Iraq. I was a Captain, and company commander of B/3/153 back in 1986-87 and it struck close to my heart when they had to go over there, even though I don't know any of those guys personally. I'm glad you are back safe and most of the boys are back safe! God speed and good luck in the future!
--WILEY PARHAM, Frisco, Texas <3/28/2005 9:24:23 AM>

I think you did an outstanding job of reporting accurate news. Your mission was a tough one and perhaps there were some harsh critics along the way. But you can be very proud of your accomplishments as a reporter for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. I had the opportunity to talk with you briefly in Taji. Your attitude was always upbeat and your comments were always sincere. Congratulations again, on a job well done. Good luck and best wishes to you and your family.
--KENNETH NEWHOUSE, Beebe, Ark. <3/28/2005 8:36:59 AM>

Amy, just wanted to say thanks for the great job. Glad you made it through safely. I grew up with many of those folks you wrote about in Fordyce and Crossett and you were my link to them while they were in Iraq. Now I have to turn my attention to my two sons who are both there. One is 3ID and the other is 3ACR (his second tour). Again, thanks and God Bless!
--MICKEY WORKS, Alexandria, La. <3/28/2005 8:34:17 AM>

Amy,
Welcome back and thank you for your Online Iraq Blog. Your articles were my information line for what was going on with my son and nephew who were stationed, along with you, with the 39th in Iraq. I appreciate your (and their) service. I refused to watch CNN or Fox or to read the regular newspaper articles on the situation in Iraq. Too graphic and misleading! You gave me insight into what was really going on and focused on the good side of what our troops were doing there in Iraq. Thank you!
--MARY JO WISENER, Monticello, Ark. <3/28/2005 8:31:43 AM>

Thank you for your sacrifices that you made to keep us informed about our soldiers this past 15 months. My son-in-law was with the Arkansas National Guard from Oct. 4-Jan. 4,2005 when unfortunately he was injured along with another soldier from Arkansas. Three soldiers were killed. He thinks about them everyday and was proud to serve with them.
--TINA NOWICKI, West Seneca, New York <3/28/2005 8:06:41 AM>

Thanks Amy,
Welcome home. I enjoyed your newspaper stories and especially your blog. You've got endurance.
--CHESTER MARSHALL, Sherwood, Ark. <3/28/2005 7:17:14 AM>

Amy,
Your "blog" has helped us share our son's experience in Iraq. We've printed every entry and made an album for him. Please accept our deep gratitude for what you have done.
--DON & LYNN ENGLAND, Searcy, AR <3/27/2005 10:28:36 PM>

WELCOME Home Amy!!!
Thank you so much for spending the past year in Iraq writing stories on how it is over there and now the soldiers coped with being away from home and also with some of the tragedies that happened ... Again thank you very much...
I know you're glad to be home. I know my brother is...
Welcome Home Amy and the rest of the 39th...
--ALLISON MARTIN, Paragould, Ark. <3/27/2005 9:36:58 PM>

Hey Amy,
nice to see you back, thank you for risking your life with us. I have spoken often of you to my family and friends and they are thankful for helping them understand what happened when we could not tell them, you rock!
Anyways write me back and let me know when you want to collect on that beer with me at the Flying Saucer, I am ready to drink that beer with you anytime just let me know.
--SSG RANDY ADAMS BRAVO CO, Beebe, Ark. <3/27/2005 9:06:55 PM>

Amy, thank you for the wonderful job of keeping us in touch with all the 39th, we are most grateful for all the news about Charlie Co. and Cpt. Jon Stubbs -- he's our son in law and we are very proud of he and his men. We feel as if we know you, but hope to meet you in person soon. Many thanks!!!!
--MARK AND SUE BERRY, DeWitt, Ark. <3/27/2005 7:47:56 PM>

Thank you for your stories. It helped us cope with our son's involvement in Iraq, SSG Brian Thompson. I work at a community college and I know we had our students use your stories in several history assignments too. I teach senior adult students and we had several with families in Iraq and your Blog helped us more than you will ever know. I hope this stays online for some time so that the soldiers may also read your thoughts. I admire your efforts. Thank you.
--NAOMI THOMPSON, Mena, Ark. <3/27/2005 7:46:12 PM>

Welcome Home!! I want to let you know your articles helped me so much. Each day I would get up and go straight to my computer and read your articles and see the pictures. It made me feel closer to my husband when I felt so lonely. Thank you so much. Hope I can meet you some day.
--DONNA GAMMILL, Sheridan, Arkansas < 3/27/2005 3:55:14 PM>

I really relied on you and your photo/stories....I did not have a relative, but a friend and young men from our area with you ... Charles Allen (chief of police in Augusta) and then his son Charles (Justin) Allen. It was great to see them and get a small look into what it was and is like for them. Thank you for your efforts and bravery.
--SARAH WISEMAN, Searcy, Arkansas <3/27/2005 11:19:47 AM>

thank you Amy. You provided a link to the thinking and emotions of serving in Iraq. You clearly described the fears, joys, horror and sadness of war. You were able to put into words the group dynamic that kept everyone together and the sacrifices that everyone made for each other. You demonstrated the care and concern that the unit has for all humankind. Thank you Amy!
--BETTY A SCHLESING, Nixa, Mo. <3/27/2005 10:45:02 AM>

I looked for your blog, photos and articles every day. I even got worried if several days went by that there were no new posts. My stepbrother, Michael Hooper from Rosie, was in the 39th. I have to admit I don't know him very well but every day I looked for glimpses of him. You probably know him better than me. My father and his mother married long after I was an adult and I lived away.
When Michael's picture was posted a couple of months ago I called my dad early in the morning so he could tell, May, Michael's mom. I woke him up. He remembered the message but not the messenger -- he did not have a clue who called. May often said that your writings made her understand better what Michael was going through. May had a reality of what could happen, she lost a brother in Vietnam.
I can't say how much I admire you and how highly you are spoken of from the soldiers themselves. I have laughed and cried as I read your writings. I can only begin to understand all that you have experienced and how it will effect your life. But I do know that you and your writings have effected my look and my relationship with a man I have not had the change to get to know.
I wish you luck and happiness in your future endeavors. And again thank you ... but somehow that does not seem to be enough to say.
--CINDY RICE-HANLIN, Mountain View, Ark. <3/27/2005 8:12:23 AM>

Your blogs have been my way of placing myself closer to my coworkers and neighbors who have been deployed with the 39th. When there was more than a day between blog entries, I began to fret about what could be going on.
Thank you, and welcome home.
--KEVIN CRAIG, Nash, Texas <3/27/2005 12:46:02 AM>

Dear Amy,
I just wanted to be one of the many people to say thank you for all your stories and photos of your stay in Iraq. My brother-in-law Sean Berryman was there with you. He lives in Cabot. Reading your articles and seeing the pictures gave us here at home an idea of what life was like for him. You are a very brave woman to take on such a dangerous job but many families appreciate your courage. Best wishes for you and a great big Thank You!
Willa Moen
--WILLA MOEN, Poplar Grove, Il <3/27/2005 12:29:01 AM>

Thank you Amy! Your articles helped me keep abreast with Charlie Co. 3rd Bn. and have an understanding of my son Jonathan's (CPT Stubbs) experiences, both light moments and stressful ones. It also made our prayers back home more keen and specific. Blessings in all your future endeavors.
Jim Stubbs
--JIM STUBBS, Braden, Tenn. <3/26/2005 11:20:50 PM>

Amy, you did a tremendous job of bringing the families of soldiers closer to understanding what our loved ones were experiencing. Your writing was exceptional. While my husband, 2LT Justin Bodeker, was over there, I checked the blog every day and have read every article. Thank you for your sacrifice as well and welcome home.
--REAGAN BODEKER, Fisher, Ark. <3/26/2005 11:06:29 PM>

You really brought the war home to me. Your blog made it real. Not only the exciting "war" stuff, but also just day to day living in a warzone. It made me feel compassion for the men there. Thank you so much for risking your life to bridge us to the war. And welcome home. I'm sure the emotions are conflicting, but enjoy the comforts I'm sure you appreciate much better now.
--LORI ALANA COX, Little Rock, Ark. <3/26/2005 10:41:30 PM>

Thank you for going over there and providing us with small glimpses into everyday life of our sons/daughters in Iraq. As a mother of one soldier, I can say that your column indeed helped me understand what my son was experiencing.
Your bravery in the midst of danger should earn your a Pultizer if not an award from Scripp.
Thank you Amy on a job well done. I truly appreciate your dedication to the citizens of Arkansas.
--DEBORAH MUSGROVE, Mansfield, Ark. <3/26/2005 9:15:34 PM>

Amy,
Welcome home! It's a strange thing, but many of us are going to miss you! Thank you for writing with such heart and such truth. You made this deployment easier just by sharing your experiences with our soldiers. God bless you.
--MISSY COLEMAN, Foreman, Ark. <3/26/2005 8:49:40 PM>

Welcome Home Amy !!! You will never know how much your journal helped me to feel closer to my son, SSG Donny Shepherd, while he was at Camp Cook this past year. The stories, pictures & especially the humorous articles put a more personal picture in my mind of what might have been going on. Did you get the rug home that you bought in the market place? You were definitely a "link" to my soldier and others from this area. Thank you for your dedication and hard work. God bless you and the 39th on your return home !!!!!!!!
--DONNA SHEPHERD, Star City, Ark. <3/26/2005 8:32:37 PM>

Amy, I'm SFC Charles L Franks' mother. I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated your articles and photos during the time in Iraq. Charles spoke highly of you. I eagerly awaited your articles and visited the website several times a day, emailed the site to my friends and relatives so they could keep up with what was going on too. I know you'll never look at life in the same way again. You deserve a Purple Heart if you don't already have one. Thank you so much from Charles whole family.
--BARBARA J FRANKS, Magnolia, Ark. <3/26/2005 8:17:15 PM>

Amy,
As a former member of the Walnut Ridge and Newport units, I can't adequately express my gratitude for your keeping me informed about my friends. Your blog was at the top of my 'favorites' list.
Lonnie Gilbreth
First Sergeant (retired)
--LONNIE GILBRETH, Pocahontas, Ark. <3/26/2005 7:26:11 PM>

Thank you so much for having this blog. I had a few friends over there and it was always nice to read your journals. Thank you again for sharing your experiences with the world. You are a very tough woman for being able to survive the Army and the War. Good luck to you!
--MARY EMMONS, Little Rock <3/26/2005 7:22:48 PM>

i so enjoyed your stories, i looked for new ones on a daily basis. you made it sound like it was real and some good things came out of this. told the good along with the bad. this was a experience you will always remember, and so will i because i printed off every one of your stories and made a book for my aunt, whose son was over there with the 206th. god bless you and looking forward to your future articles.
--SHERI TURNER, paris, ark. <3/26/2005 7:09:13 PM>

Dear Amy,
Thank you for helping me deal with the fact that my son was in a war zone. I went to your site everyday to see if there was anything new and if you had been to Camp Gunslinger where my son SPC Joe Warren was stationed. Thank you with all my mother's heart! Welcome home.
Gina Miller
--GINA MILLER, Evening Shade, Ark. <3/26/2005 6:12:38 PM>

WELCOME HOME, AMY!! I want to thank you for your work and your personal blog especially. I read your work every day so that I could at least have some insight into my husband's surroundings at Camp Taji.
Many blessings and thank you again.
--MARCELLE DUFFEL, Morrilton, Ark. <3/26/2005 5:18:04 PM>

Amy,
Thanks for all you did and may do yet to tell the stories of the 39th. Robo is home now, and many of the country's men and women with him. I'll not forget their stories you told so well; and will remember the ones still there. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
--MARK CHRISTMAN, Robbinsdale, Minn. <3/26/2005 5:16:39 PM>

Dear Amy,
I want to thank you for your dedication and fantastic reporting while in Bahgdad. In fact, you wrote a story on my son which i treasure. 3/24/04. A Surprise Letter. Thank you, for your support, love & dedication to our Troops. I know many family waited to read "The Blog" and how much it meant to us back here at home. God Bless! Sincerely, A Grateful mom!
--IRENE C. MEYERS, Oxford, N.Y. <3/26/2005 4:26:49 PM>

Amy, Thank you for all you have done for our soldiers of the 39th Brigade Combat Team. You brought a much needed ray-of-light to our soldiers during this deployment. Your friendship to myself and other soldiers will be cherished throughout the remainder of our lives. Thank you once again and God Bless. Peace and Love from your friends of the 39th!
--MASTER SERGEANT RODGER TERRELL, 39th Brigade Combat Team <3/26/2005 2:23:07 PM>

Welcome home Amy.
--CHICO, Batesville Ark. <3/26/2005 1:14:02 PM>

Welcome Home, Amy!
You have helped me understand what our young men and women experienced. I really enjoyed the way you were able to express yourself, many times in a lighthearted way. Our Company B ("Killer Bees") are mostly home now.
May you experience nothing but good luck in your life back home with family and friends.
Thank you and God Bless!
Greg Hansen
VFW Post 4430 Commander
Fordyce, AR
--GREGORY HANSEN, East Camden <3/26/2005 1:10:37 PM>

Amy, I have enjoyed every article you have written and learned so much from you. Hope you get a great big bonus or write a book.
Good Luck and Welcome Home
--BETTY RICHARDSON, Harrison, Ark. <3/26/2005 10:01:54 AM>

Thank you Amy! You've done a wonderful job and provided information that could be had nowhere else! You are a truly amazing woman!
--LOU STARELLI, Hillsboro, Ore. <3/26/2005 10:01:33 AM>

Dear Amy,
I cannot express in words my appreciation for your service in Iraq and your wonderful articles. My brother, Sgt. James Jones, was with the 1/206 FA, 39th BCT in Camp Taji. I read your blog on a daily basis and even though he is now home safely, I cannot stop checking your site. It was the first thing I did each morning. You kept me informed and in touch with the "human" side of war. Through reading your articles I was able to talk to my brother about things that were happening in Taji as if I were somehow there too. As I just read your final post, I have to admit that I shed a few tears as I have done while reading so many of your articles. You did a great job and I wish you the best in your all of your future endeavors. You are a true heroine and appreciated more than you could ever know.
Sincerely,
Marlo Brandon
Arlington, Texas
--MARLO BRANDON, Arlington, Texas <3/26/2005 9:57:35 AM>

Thank you for all you have done for our servicemen! My husband is Spc. John Baker. He is home now and we are truly grateful to everyone who has worked with them to make them feel as comfortable as possible.
--ANN MARIE BAKER, Cheektowaga, N.Y. <3/26/2005 8:07:21 AM>

You are as much a Hero as our Troops! Thank you for your courage to stay with our guys and keep that important link we families needed. My son, Sgt. Jonathan Joyce, Bravo Co. (NY 108th) is home as of today. A very "GOOD" Friday!! God Bless.
--CORONER JAMES M.JOYCE, Niagara Falls, N.Y. <3/26/2005 2:33:29 AM>

Dear Amy,
Words can never say how much my family enjoyed reading your Bagdad Blog about your life with the 39th. Your entries were the second thing we looked for after checking for e-mails from our daughter who was with C-MED. You are a very special lady and we thank you from our hearts.
--PEGGY HOFFMEISTER, Newport, Ark. <3/26/2005 2:06:38 AM>

Thanks Amy, it was great reading all of your articles and seeing the pictures. We are glad that you and the guys are back.
--DONNA SLAUGHTER, Abilene, Texas <3/25/2005 11:43:41 PM>

Amy,
I have been following my nephew Robert Evans through your articles. You did a great job in documenting this piece of history. Many prayers were said and continue for the soldiers in Iraq.
Welcome Home.
Cathy Robertson
--CATHY ROBERTSON, Madison, Miss. <3/25/2005 10:42:08 PM>

Welcome home, Amy, and God bless you. My son, a sgt in the Oregon 2/162, has just returned home. Especially during the times of limited communication, your stories and particularly your blog gave me a sense of connection that during this long year has been priceless. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
--CAROLYN WEBB, Spanaway, Wash. <3/25/2005 10:29:33 PM>

Amy-
Your blog helped us here at home to understand the horror - and sometimes humor- that our loved ones faced each day of their year in Iraq. I admire your courage and ability to write about the your time spent with the soldiers. We laughed, and cried, as we read.
Our son (2-162 ONG) was at Taji. Your blog was bookmarked and checked every day for some glimmer of his experience. I hope you will continue to write as you now face the same challenges as our soldiers in readjusting to civilian life. Let us, who've come to know you through your blogs, know how you are doing. Take care and thanks.
--MARY JOHNSON, Corvallis, Ore. <3/25/2005 9:00:18 PM>

Amy
We are so glad you have returned safely. I cannot thank you enough for your news articles and your weblogs. You kept us linked to our loved ones during this time. Words at this time are so inadeaquate right now, but thank you from the bottom of my heart.
--CAROLYN MCNABB, Peach Orchard, Ark. <3/25/2005 6:38:27 PM>

Amy,
I wanted to tell you welcome home. Thank you for the wonderful article you did on my husband, SGT Randall Martin, when our daughter, Emma Grace, was born last April. It was wonderful. I was so excited to get to see the smile on his face with his first picture of his daughter.
--KELLY MARTIN, Searcy, Ark. <3/25/2005 4:56:29 PM>

Amy, Over this past year I have followed the activities of the 39th through your words and the photographs of your photographers. I want to salute you for giving a year of your life to help keep Americans at home informed of the activities of our hometown heroes. I have several friends and some family members who are with the 39th and others who are with the regular army. To me all of you are heroes, none more than others except those who gave the ultimate gift. I can only imagine your feelings when the bombs were falling and the rounds were being fired and yet you held true to the 39th. I just want you to know as an American, as a mother and grandmother I thank you and all of those who served with you for giving us freedom. There were a lot of prayers that were prayed for all of you and I pray that God will especially bless you and your family and that you will be safe. Don't forget to put a blanket in your car!
Your friend,
--ANN E. OVERTON, Sherwood, Ark. <3/25/2005 3:47:34 PM>

Amy, I met you at Ft. Sill when my son, Josh Dodson, came home from Iraq. His brother, Mark Brady, came home in November. It was a pleasure to finally meet you because you were one link between me and my sons that I am very thankful for. Your journal made this last year and a half much more bearable. Thank you for your stories. You've got to publish your works and I'll be the first in line to purchase it. I know the time you spent with the 39th will never be forgotten by you. Good luck to you in your future endeavors!
--ROBIN BRADY, Cabot, Ark. <3/25/2005 3:29:06 PM>

I am Chris Heathscott's dad. Your articles were very comforting for me and our family. Chris mentioned your name several times and his comments were very positive about the work you did.
Thanks.
--WAYLON HEATHSCOTT, Searcy, Ark. <3/25/2005 3:24:28 PM>

Welcome home!! I always looked forward to reading your news articles and blogs. It kept me up to date with what was really going in Iraq and the 39th. I grew up in Arkansas, and I have great pride that the 39th represented us Arkies well. I'm sure all other states that were represented by the 39th feel the same way. You just did a tremendous service to our country. Thank you so much!!
--GARY ARDOIN, Houston, Texas <3/25/2005 3:06:27 PM>

Amy -- Just wanted to thank you for articles that could only come from a woman's perspective. There were many days when a few of the wives from the 28th Signal guys laughed and cried together over your articles ... we have shared much over the past year plus that our soldiers have been deployed! I can tell you that some of us here in western Pennsylvania appreciated the sacrifices you made in your own life to help keep us somehow connected with the life our husbands were living there. Thanks once again for many laughs and good cries (hilarious and also touching ones).
Dana Remaley -- Wife of SSG David Remaley (28th Signal Battalion A Company)
--DANA REMALEY, New Stanton, Pa. <3/25/2005 2:49:14 PM>

Welcome home, we appreciate your time and effort to keep us informed and entertained.
--WALTER FITE, Batesville, Ark. <3/25/2005 2:23:56 PM>

Amy, many thanks for the great stories. I visited your blog, viewed the pictures and articles several times each week during the past year.
--GEORGE ELMORE BUSH, JR, Jonesboro, Ga. <3/25/2005 2:06:22 PM>

I want to welcome you home and thank you from the bottom of my heart for your contribution to freedom and to our country. I can never tell you how important your articles and BLOG were to us parents and other family members back home. Your contact allowed me to have a better understanding of just what my son was going through on a daily basis. Your memorialization of the 39th's efforts in Baghdad is invaluable.
--TOM PRINCE, St. Louis, Mo. <3/25/2005 1:39:01 PM>

Welcome Home.
I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed reading your writing during this past year. The news articles were good but the personal touch in your journal was something I looked forward to reading. Hope to get to meet you someday.
--DOYNE ELDER, Little Rock, Ark. <3/25/2005 11:44:02 AM>

Amy, My husband Sgt. John Wood of E troop has been a gunner this whole time. Each day I lived in fear he would never return. I read your article in November which said "Sgt. John Wood of Beebe was told to keep his head down and eyes open." I read that one morning, and just thought, she does such a good job, it brings our husbands closer, to where we don't feel so isolated and cut off from them and what they are going through. I would also read your personal blog each day and kind of get an idea of what camp Taji was like. Your articles and personal blog made me and other family members kind of feel like we were there. I am grateful to you for going. You're brave too Amy. You went out with the troops on the missions, which took uummp and guts. I admire you for all that you did for the troops and Arkansas families left behind. Thank you from a grateful wife. Loretta Wood, wife of Sgt. Wood of Beebe
--LORETTA WOOD, Beebe, Ark <3/25/2005 11:37:28 AM>

Amy, I cannot thank you enough for your sacrifices with spending the year with our soldiers. My husband was in Taji with 2-162 and trained with the 39th. Your web journals were such an accurate portrayal of life in Taji and life with infantry soldiers. It always brought a smile to my face with your ability to find humor in a seemingly humorless environment. My husband too managed to laugh at the body armor, mortar attacks, and Iraq weather. Thanks for making this past year a little more bearable. P.S. My husband arrives home from his redeployment today!!
Sincerely,
Julie Howell, proud wife of SGT. Joseph Ryan Howell, 2-162 IN
--JULIE HOWELL, Albany, Ore. <3/25/2005 11:34:55 AM>

Amy,
I would like to thank you for keeping us all informed on how the Brigade was doing in Iraq. You have done a wonderful job. Hope to hear more from you in the near future. Welcome home. May God Bless you!
--JULIE AKINES, Jefferson, Ark. <3/25/2005 11:27:53 AM>

Dear Amy, I want to thank you for your dedication and efforts to bring the people the real story of the Battle for Iraq. During the darkest days of the biased reporting, we read from you of our troops who pushed on with their mission, winning hard fought battles for freedom and for each other. When I read about the young solider who held off the attack gunning from the turret of his disabled Humvee, wounded but still fighting I new that the national media had another agenda. My friend's son served as a 50 gunner in Ramadi. You helped us both understand what he was going through. Ben was wounded in a suicide car attack after many battles, the only one to survive in his Humvee, but is now recovering and in good shape. The New York Times would have better served the country by just running your reports and let their bias wait for a more appropriate time. Please write a book of your time in Iraq or at least publish your journal. Our country needs it. Yours truly, Keven Lively
--KEVEN LIVELY, Carmichael, Calif. <3/25/2005 11:23:35 AM>

Words cannot express my appreciation for the work you and the Democrat photographers did in Iraq. Your incisive reporting, with its common sense, humor, and human interest helped me to share a piece of history with my son. During the early part of the deployment to Iraq when personal communication was difficult, at times your reporting was the only information we had on the status of the 39th soldiers. It is not possible to convey how much that meant to me. I commend your courage and sacrifice during this past year. Thank you and welcome home!
--KENNETH E. WILSON, Panama City Beach, Fla. <3/25/2005 10:57:19 AM>

Glad you are safely back home. Spring is a time of renewal which is appropriate for your return. Enjoy Arkansas with its fresh air, singing birds and spring flowers.
Thoroughly enjoyed your messages. It was interesting to read the human side of the war, the news you don't get in the newspapers. Some stories were funny, some were sad. But you gave us an understanding of what a soldier's life was about in Iraq and how he persevered.
Thank you for your excellent reporting. Welcome home!
--SALLY HIATT, Searcy, Ark. <3/25/2005 10:56:00 AM>

Welcome home! I can not even begin to tell you all you have meant to me and my family for the last year. I check this site daily, as does my husband. We learned of you after the death of our son, Kenneth Melton last April 25. The things you have written have made me laugh and cry, but I appreciate every word. What you did was not easy and I admire you for it. My heartfelt thanks.
--ADDIE MELTON, Thayer, Mo. <3/25/2005 10:51:14 AM>

Amy -- Thank you so much for your daily blogs. It was so neat to be able to know what was going on over there. Thank you for taking the risks that you did. Thank you too to the men and women of the 39th -- job well done!! WELCOME HOME!!!
--SHELLY LANGHAM, Springdale, Ark. <3/25/2005 10:47:32 AM>

Welcome home Amy. My son was a gunner with the 239th Combat Eng., 39th Bn. I looked forward to reading your articles. I would log onto your site at least 5 times a day to make sure I didn't miss anything. Thank you.
--STAN MITCHUSSON, Clarksville, Ark. <3/25/2005 10:42:38 AM>

Thank you for helping my family through my husband's deployment to Iraq. My children at home and my students at school checked the blog and read your articles daily for updates. Thanks again for all you have done and Welcome Home!!!
--REGINA JONES, Bradford, Ark. <3/25/2005 10:36:00 AM>

Amy, Thank you so much for each and every one of your articles. My boyfriend has been in Iraq with the 39th; there were many times when we wouldn't talk but only once a week. Your articles gave me a firsthand sense of what was going on when I couldn't talk to him. It was the highlight of my day to get to read your new writings and most of all it made things a little easier here at home. Thank you so much for putting your life on the line each and every day to simply give us feedback here in the USA! Thank You again Amy!
Sincerely,
--ERICA PAGE, Shreveport, La. <3/25/2005 10:18:15 AM>

Thank you so much for your blog. My husband has been in Iraq with the 39th as well and reading your thoughts and updates on everyday life there has helped me more than you will ever know. Again, thank you.
--LORETTA MASON <3/25/2005 10:02:20 AM>

Congratulations on your safe return from what I am sure will turn out to be a life changing experience. I looked forward to reading your 'blogs' as well as your articles. You did an excellent job of giving a sense of just what our guys were experiencing, the good and the bad, the serious and the humorous. I spent some 38 years in the military, mostly in the Arkansas Army National Guard, making a lot of summer camps, many of them with, or in support of, the 39th. I am looking forward to seeing a book come out of this.
--DR. MARVIN D. LOYD, COL, (RET.) AR ARNG, Lake Village, Ark. <3/25/2005 8:45:35 AM>

Dear Amy,
Welcome home. Thank you for your coverage of our 39th's activity. Your notes and articles were always a pleasure to read and help bring a real sense of your lifestyle in Iraq. I wish you success, good health, and happiness in all you do. Thanks again, God bless you.
Jordan Jackson
--JORDAN JACKSON, Texarkana, Ark. <3/25/2005 8:30:01 AM>

Dear Amy -- We want to thank you for your articles and pictures of our boys from the 108th. They helped get us through this past year. Welcome Home!!
--TIM AND PATTY MACK, Buffalo, N.Y. <3/25/2005 8:29:14 AM>

Amy, Thank you so much for your service to us, as families of soldiers in Iraq struggled each day to keep up with the news. I read your articles on a daily basis and looked forward to each day's update. You have sacrificed a year of your life for our soldiers' families and from the heart "Thank You". You were right up top with Cafe Arkansas.
--DARLENE PHILLIPS, McGehee, Ark. <3/25/2005 8:26:02 AM>

Thank you for helping us keep in touch with what was happening in Taji where our brother and uncle, Col. Joseph Sarnicky, MC, BCT 39th, 1st Cavalry Division, was stationed in for the past year. Joe would send us e-mails when he could to let us know how he was doing but your news articles and your "Amy's personal blog" helped fill in the blanks. As a member of the military, Joe had to go to Iraq to help defend our great country, but you volunteered to go there to help us, the families left at home, know how they were faring and for that unselfish act we will be eternally grateful to you.
Thank you for your courage and dedication to our troops and for your faithful reporting of what you observed. May you have a safe trip home and may happiness always come to you.
Thank you,
Jack and Carrie Sarnicky, Datil, N.M.
Ron and Karen Sarnicki, Henderson, Nev.
David and Anita Sarnicki, Mesa, Ariz.
Christine and Neal Caswell, Yorba Linda, Calif.
Kelly and Mike Galizio, Gig Harbor, Wash.
Jackie Alaniz, Anaheim, Calif.
--JACK AND CARRIE SARNICKY AND FAMILY <3/25/2005 8:21:46 AM>

Amy, Welcome Home! You, and your blog, have been a part of our lives for the past year that our son was in Iraq. Thank you so much for bringing a view of what our soldiers went through daily, into our daily lives. We are proud of all our 39th soldiers, and you also Amy. Again Welcome Home!!
--THE OSBURNS, Little Rock Ark. <3/25/2005 8:21:14 AM>

Thanks you so much! I sent my 18 year old son to Iraq and that was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. (Especially since my 19 year old had already been there for 6 months.) Reading your weblog allowed me to mentally transport myself there, thus feeling closer to him over the past year. You can never know how important your connection was for our family.
--GINA YOUNG, Ward, Ark. <3/25/2005 8:21:10 AM>

Our son, SSG Michael Purdue, was part of C Company 102nd (Connecticut unit) deployed with the 39th. Much of our "contact" with his life and experiences for the last almost year and a half came through your writing. Thank you for enduring life alongside these brave young men and women. We, and they, are proud of what they did and accomplished. Welcome home Amy!
Fred and Wendy Purdue
--FRED PURDUE, Wilton, Conn. <3/25/2005 8:16:43 AM>

Welcome Home Amy
Thanks for taking care of the men from the 239th and thanks for keeping us up to date. I will miss your blog. You did a great Job. Enjoy your time off now.
--SANDRA BREAUX, La. <3/25/2005 8:14:19 AM>

Dear Amy,
Thank you so much for your informative, funny and sometimes sad stories about the experiences you and the Brigade had in Baghdad. As the Mom of Lt. Matthew Bialy, Alpha Co., your articles and pictures tended to help keep things in perspective for us here in NJ. You and the soldiers were in our prayers daily.
God Bless!
--MARGARET BIALY, Shamong, N.J. <3/25/2005 7:39:26 AM>

Thank you Amy for keeping my husband and myself in touch with the 39th, my husband retired from the Newport unit just before they were sent to Egypt and it meant a lot to him reading your stories especially when you mentioned Charlie Hightower or any of the other guys from Newport. I want you to know that I think you are a very brave and wonderful young lady and that you are on my prayer list each and every day.
--SUSAN HARRIS, Tuckerman, Ark. <3/25/2005 5:37:58 AM>

Your newspaper articles were very informative. But I found your 'blog' (whatever a 'blog' is) most informative and sometimes amusing. They gave us an insight to life in the war zone. I read each and every one and always looked forward to the next one. And even though I don't like the idea of embedded civilians mixed in with soldiers, I thank you for your written words. Floyd, parent of one of the 39th soldiers
--FLOYD R PACK, Morristown, Tenn. <3/25/2005 2:39:10 AM>

Amy,
You are the greatest, you kept us, the families, going when we hadn't heard from our soldiers. We shared their triumphs and their pain when they lost a fellow soldier. You are a very special person that I hold close to my heart. May only good luck find in you in the future. Thank You. God Bless
--BETH JOHNSON, Smackover, Ark. <3/25/2005 12:35:36 AM>

Welcome Home and thank you for giving up a year of your life. My son, son-in-law, and his twin brother were all there with the 39th. Your articles made me feel closer to them. I checked your web site everyday looking for anything that would make them seem closer to home. Thank you again!!!!
--JUDY MUCKELBERG, Bald Knob, Ark. <3/24/2005 11:05:55 PM>

Amy, welcome home! Thanks so much for all you have done. I am Staff Sgt. Josh Wheeler's wife. I enjoyed reading all of your blogs while you guys were in Iraq. I especially enjoyed the one about Limmie Winks. God Bless you!
--ANDREA WHEELER, Nashville, Tenn. <3/24/2005 10:51:05 PM>

Welcome Home! I want to thank you for your service. You were a life line while our son served with the 39th in Iraq. I looked for your blog several times each day to see what was happening. You gave us back home an idea of what it was like to be away from home, scared and trying to be brave. Thank you for being there with our troops, you are brave and a great American.
--PHYLLIS HAMMOND, Magazine, Ark. <3/24/2005 10:39:48 PM>

Thank you for your wonderful, and informative reports. My wife and my daughter have been in Iraq for the past year, and your reports, full of humor, and occasionally of sadness, have helped me to understand even better the trials and tribulations and the joys they have been going through every day. I am very grateful to you. I am glad you, too, are home safely, and wish you all the very best for the future
Regards,
--MARTIN J CAREY, Little Rock, Ark. <3/24/2005 10:16:29 PM>

Amy, Thank you for your Blog and your articles in the Democrat-Gazette. You helped us understand what the men of the 39th were going through.
--LEE JOHNSON, Little Rock, Ark. <3/24/2005 10:11:55 PM>

Thank you Amy for your bravery. I have several friends in the 39th and your Blog gave me a glimpse into what they and you were going through. I checked for new posts every day. Thanks and welcome home!
--TONY FLOYD, Pangburn, Ark. <3/24/2005 10:07:43 PM>

You are special to us. Although we have never met you, you are our hero. You made us stronger as we read your reports. My son Jereme, later wounded in Iraq, was featured in the blue guitar. Welcome home Amy. You served your country in a special way. GOD BLESS YOU AMY
--MIKE & GLENDA COKER , Clarendon, Ark. <3/24/2005 10:00:15 PM>

Amy, Welcome Home!! Thank you so much for your insight into the everyday lives of the soldiers. I especially always looked forward to reading your next personal blog entry -- such vivid pictures you painted with your words about what you/others were experiencing. You deserve a medal for a Job Well Done!! May God bless and keep you.
--PAT ETHRIDGE, Fort Smith, Ark. <3/24/2005 9:45:38 PM>

Hi M&M lady. Good to have you back here in the states ... just a reminder, wires under a dog here don't mean a thing, lol. And shukran is not a real word!!!!!
--JEFF MCDONALD, McCrory Ark. <3/24/2005 9:07:27 PM>

Amy,
Welcome Home!
And thank you so much for covering the 1st Cavalry in Iraq. My Oregon son was with you and you helped us to really see and know what everyday life was like for him.
Thank you so much to you and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette!
--REBECCA KILGRAS, Medford, Ore. <3/24/2005 8:23:33 PM>

I followed Amy and her marvelous reporting from the first day of her arrival in Iraq with the 39th BCT. My grandson is with the NY Platoon and his unit was assigned to the Oregon 2/162 BCT. Amy is one amazing woman who endured all the emotions of being in combat and shared them with us. I want to say thank you for her dedication and effort to show the human side of soldiers in combat. Some made you laugh and some made you cry but without Amy's blog, we, the families left behind, would not have any idea of what life in a war zone is like. Amy deserves a medal for not only doing such a great job of reporting as she saw it but also for living with a bunch of male soldiers for a whole year. Thanks Amy for sharing your experiences; they were very much appreciated.
--MARGE PIEPER, Hamilton, N.Y. <3/24/2005 8:21:02 PM>

Amy, I just want you to know that my family and I are grateful that you stayed with the 39th and let us all know how the soldiers were doing. We are all proud and grateful for the sacrifice that you made.
Thank You from the family of SGT. Kenneth A. Melton
--CAROL MELTON, Batesville, Ark. <3/24/2005 8:08:25 PM>

Amy -- It was wonderful to read your reports. My brother-in-law was at Patrol Base Volunteer but the time of his tour there was similar to yours and so much of what you wrote was relevant to what he was experiencing. I was so impressed that you spent a whole year there to really understand better what it was like in your reporting. Thank you!
--SHARON FLEURY, Poughkeepsie, N.Y. <3/24/2005 7:52:35 PM>

Amy,
I want to take this opportunity to say welcome home, and give you a big thank you for all your articles you wrote from Iraq.
Our son, Major Taylor BCT XO, 1-206 FA was at Taji with the 39th, and we eagerly awaited your Blog each day. We felt you were keeping us up to date on the events that took place, perhaps when our son wasn't able to do so.
We certainly admired your courage.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Taylor
--PAT TAYLOR, Coweta, Okla. <3/24/2005 7:25:39 PM>

Many of us here in Oregon followed your reports on a daily basis. Although my son is in B Co., 2-162 Inf. (Oregon Guard) , he was in Taji attached to the 2-7 Cav., 1st Cav. Div. Your reports of Arkansas units in the same area gave us wonderful insight as to what our boys were facing every day. As a Vietnam vet, I commend you for your bravery and salute you for a job well done!!
--RON CLEMENT, Corvallis, Ore. <3/24/2005 6:48:21 PM>

Amy,
Your blog and articles to the newspaper really brought to life what is going on in Iraq. Thank you for all you've written. This was way better than watching the news.
--CARLA BENSON, Marion, Ark. <3/24/2005 6:46:35 PM>

Amy, I just wanted to say thank you for putting your life in danger so that everyone back at home could know how their loved ones were doing. My 19 year old brother Spc. Justin Goucher from Marion Arkansas was a gunner for Charlie Company he was stationed at Camp Gunslinger for 5 months. and reading the Blog helped ease my mind some just knowing what was going on. You did an awesome job; thanks again, you are very brave and have more guts than myself I must say.
Sincerely,
--SHANNON WILKERSON, Waco, Texas <3/24/2005 6:28:03 PM>

Amy,
Just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful coverage of our 39th. Your blog was very informative and many times your postings gave me a feeling like I was right there with you guys. Thank you for your bravery and sticking it out with our troops to keep us up to date. Hope to meet you soon in person.
Sincerely,
--SHANNON BAKER, North Little Rock Ark. <3/24/2005 6:15:27 PM>

Welcome home Amy,
I continued to read your articles after my brother, Larry N., got home. I'm glad you made it made it back okay.
Thanks for the information that you provided all the families of our soldiers.
God bless,
--MARCIA NOWLIN, West Memphis, Ark. <3/24/2005 6:11:54 PM>

Amy,
Thanks for all your hard work and articles. I started each day for the last year checking to see if any new articles had been posted. It was a great way to see what was going on with the unit. My two brothers are now home (both with the 39th) safe but I still can't break the habit of checking the site.
The Photos that the photographers took were absolutely great!!
Thanks for everything and welcome home!!
--BRIAN CHASSELLS, Corpus Christi, Texas <3/24/2005 5:56:36 PM>

Thank You, Amy for your articles while you were in Iraq. My husband SST Lemuel Oakley was apart of the 39th and I like how your articles helped me by keeping me updated on the goings-on in Iraq.
--VANESSA OAKLEY, Hot Springs, Ark. <3/24/2005 5:55:05 PM>

Welcome home Amy!
I have enjoyed your news articles so much. I feel like I know you personally. You are a very brave young woman and I appreciate so much what you have done. Thank you for writing about the daily routines so that we have a better understanding of what it was like.
I especially liked your mentioning our friends and relatives by name.
I think you deserve a medal for bravery.
God bless you.
BARBARA EDENS, Bradford, Ark. <3/24/2005 5:49:42 PM>

Amy,
My son Rob was a gunner with Bravo Company at Gunslinger for the past year. I think you rode in his hummer a couple of times. He spoke highly of you.
I appreciate the reporting that you have done. Checking the web for your articles and pictures, and looking at the paper each day was the first thing to do in the mornings.
Thanks for a job well done, and welcome home. I sent an e-mail to the Dem-Gaz and told them that you deserve a pat on the back and a big raise. Also, I'm glad that you didn't give in to the ransom note.
--JOE EVANS, Clinton, Ark. <3/24/2005 5:42:47 PM>

Amy,
I have a friend who is with Delta Company which is how I found your Blog. I really appreciated your stories as it allowed me to feel connected with him in a round about way especially when there were long bouts when he couldn't write. I admire your courage in being in Iraq and thanks for the insider's view!
--HEATHER KNOX, Nashville, Tenn. <3/24/2005 5:39:29 PM>

Amy,
Just a note to thank you for putting yourself in harm's way to keep us all more informed of what our soldiers (and you) were going through in Iraq. I know it meant a lot to me and to our soldiers, that you went and stayed the course for the entire deployment. Welcome home and God Bless.
--CHRIS TURNER, Springfield, Ore. <3/24/2005 5:37:27 PM>

Amy, Thank you for sharing with us during your stay! My son, Sgt. Justin Lowry, was with you over there! God Bless You All and Thank You for your service to the "good ole" USA!!!
Vicki Donoho
--VICKI DONOHO, Mountain Home, Ark. <3/24/2005 5:19:05 PM>

Thank you so much for the articles while you were in Iraq. Even though my son was not a part of the 39th, he is part of the active Army 1st Cav stationed at Taji. Your articles keep me updated on what was going on at the Camp in a roundabout way. I don't know what I would have done without those articles. They kept me connected to the camp and soldiers. I feel like I know these guys now. Thank you once again for all the updates. You have made one mom's stress a lot less.
----CATHY GREEN, Texarkana, Ark. <3/24/2005 4:58:57 PM>

Thank you Amy for all that you have done for the 39th inf and their families. We waited anxiously for your articles and we have all of them in notebooks. Hope to meet you at the state welcome home in May.
----SHIRLEY CHANEY, Batesville, Ark. <3/24/2005 4:46:59 PM>