I want to thank you for the time you put into your writing and for the time you spend serving our country rather and being home with your family. For that you truely are a hero. I pray for your safety over the next few months and a safe return to the Valley.

Capt. Leonard -

Thank you for your honesty and devotion to your duty and country. I am very sorry that you will not be writing more entries. Your diary provided an amazing insight to those of us cut off and struggling to understand the war and the price our service members pay.

Be safe and God's speed.

I am a vet from the Viet Nam war. I to never wanted my son to see the horrors of war. Many young men went to Viet Nam, either drafted or enlisting, and those lucky enoung to come home alive came home as old men even though they were in their early twenties. You lost your youth and the horrors would always come back to you in your sleep and the horrors of the things that needed to be done so you could come home. These horrors come back to you in guilty feelings. My son told me he wanted to join the armed forces after 9-11 and I told him he did not need to suffer those expierances and be scarred for the rest of his life as those expierances would be with him forever. You can say that was I was afraid for him and selfish, as I did not want to risk losing him. I did my duty for my country when called and I know that I would do it again if I were called as I would want to protect my family and country. It was my good fortune that my son chose not to go, and it was not due to fear, and I want to believe that maybe he took my advice. He is now in law enforcement and fighting a different battle that is every bit as dangerous as going to war and I have great pride in what he is doing. To you and all of the other men and women who are currently putting you life on the line to protect me, my family and the other people of this great nation I salute you with pride. I weep every time I read an article when one of our local service people comes home in their flag drapped coffins knowing they gave all for us here in the United States and for other people in this world. I grieve for their families who have lost their children and the dreams they had for them.

http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio/strong.html

Strong, Robert Campbell (1915-1999) . . . U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, 1963-67. His [only] son, Gridley Barstow Strong, USMC, fell at Khe Sanh, Vietnam, April 1968. [Gridley's body and his father's] ashes interred [next to each other] at Oakwood Cemetery, Beloit, Wis.

Jeff....I don't know if you'll remember me, but I used to work as a rehab aide in the Kaweah Delta Therapy department. I just wanted to tell you that I really respect what you have been doing, what you are doing, and what countless others continue to do to protect our freedoms as Americans, as well as improve the lives of the worlds oppressed. I have read your blogs with much interest, and just try to understand what it's like to live the way our soldiers are, so that we may enjoy our nice homes and cars and lives back home. "Thank you" seems like such small words compared to what you all are going through.
My prayers are with all of you for your safety, and, hopefully, a safe return home before too long.

Capt. Leonard, thank you so much for your commitment to this blog.I have a son in Iraq,and he does not tell me much about whats going on where he's serving. Ihave read your commets from the begin and I will miss them . You have for me given me a greater apprication for our brave men & women who choose to serve our sometimes ungrateful country.I have laughed cried and have been amazed.Thank YOU for service & sacrafice.May you find your way home safely.ps I live where you work and maybe someday I can shake your hand

Jeff,
Although this comment will not have anything to do with your topic, I cannot find an email for you. Are you from New Hampshire originally? I think you were my roommate for a year or so and I lost contact with you. Is this you? I have often wondered how you are and where you ended up. I would love to hear from you and catch up.

I read your farewell with sadness, I pray you and all the good and decent God speed.

Jeff,
I have logged on nearly every day hoping to see what you were willing to share. We don't have other places to go to get the insight you have been kind enough to take the time to give us. I appreciate that immensely.
Your political views were not obvious and I tend to be interested to ferret them out. I am not so sure it would have mattered much, because what I was here to learn was the reality of your situation no matter how dire or trivial. Because of what you have written, we have a better perspective, a broader understanding of what it is to see a war and the very real scars it leaves.
You should not be embarrassed to want to protect your kids from this kind of experience. That is what parents do. I understand it when families want their kids to serve and understand your feelings about it too. One thing is for sure...I appreciate the time you have given over there, the sharing with all of us, and the candor in your writing. You have made an impact, making this war a bit more realistic in my mind, and for all of that, I am immensely grateful. I wish for your safe return and the safety of your family on whatever path is chosen.

Thank you for serving our country!! I will pray for your safe return home to your family. God speed and Good Luck!!

Jeff, I have also missed reading your blog. But to me it is a sign that you will be coming home. Although I want you to take as much time as you need before you come back to work, we at the "DOG POUND" want you back!!!!!!! We all look forward to having you back here, on USA soil. Take care!! Diane

Thanks for being willing to do this Blog. Reading about your experiences and those of other soldiers has given you and them a voice that otherwise would not have been heard. Thanks for your perspective and your honesty. Although sometimes difficult to read, ALL your entries were important to read and know about. Mostly thank you for the work you have done there and continue to do with the soilders. I too pray for your safe return. The sacrifice you and your family have made will always be appreciated.

Capt. Leonard,
Thank you for such an honest commentary. As a Vietnam vet and father of an 18-year-old male, I too understand the desire to shelter our children from what you are presently experiencing. Consider me naïve, for I failed when he was young to hide my pictures, yet now I go out of my way to point out the perils and sacrifice that I hope he does not ultimately encounter.
As one who grew up with the draft (and joined the Navy to avoid the infantry), I ponder why those of us in the states are not experiencing a daily sacrifice -- would we have allowed Congress and this administration to get us into this fiasco had the draft still existed, and as you state, where are the sons and daughters of those who deal the power in this country?
I salute your honesty and wish you and the many who are with you a speedy and safe return.
Doug Snider

Thank you for giving voices to what might have been never read.I tell my children,there are people out there that put thier lives on the line every day for us,for our beliefs,for our freedoms.we thank you and yours.our prayers are that all service men and women come home,come home to family and friends...thank you

I happened to read your farewell blog entry in today's edition of the Bee. I am one of those people who you hoped to not offend but have. No soldier wants his son to see combat, there's no doubt about that, but many who are currently serving in the military had parents who also served. I also take great exception to some of the broad brushstrokes with which you painted in this particular entry. I personally know many kids who signed up after 9/11 that came from what you would say is a privileged background and could have done many things other than serve in the military. Here in America, unlike most of the rest of the world, we use an all voluntary military. Nobody is conscripted in.

I personally am working in corporate America and am also an adjunct faculty at a local university and have done both for many years now and I mention this to dispel the myth that there aren't many opportunities for young people. In this area there are many entry level jobs available, in addition at every university and college that I have taught at there is a tremendous amount of aide available for students who come from what some may think is a disadvantaged background.

My wife and I both paid our own way through undergraduate and graduate school and yes, we also used student loans. Getting through college is very doable; it just takes some discipline and the ability to follow directions. All of the kids I know who have enlisted did so not for money but out of a sense of duty, love for country and a desire to better themselves by facing a daunting challenge. Military service can provide so many of the rudderless kids our lackluster education system churns out both discipline and the ability to follow directions. Those are not only important to get through college and the corporate world but also life.

Lastly let me say that I am very grateful that there are young men and women who for whatever the reason are willing to enlist and fight for our country to ensure freedom not only here but throughout the world. At the end of the day, those who have been against the war in Iraq and Afghanistan and those who believe that the way to solve all conflict is simply by talking still expect someone, just not them, to do the fighting and the dying when push comes to shove. Deep down all the pacifists who refused to serve during WWII were glad that there were men who were willing to fight and die to stop the Nazis and Imperial Japan to ensure them the freedom to advocate pacifism. This current war is no different.

Captain,

Being that you are not a combat solider and have benefitted financial, educationally from being in the military, I can see how you may think that people who join the military are only poor people looking to improve their livelihood. I wish I could say, as a gulf war veteran, that was true for myslef or most of the people I served with, but it just wasnt even close. It also doesnt account for the great number of people that are reenlisting while fighting a deadly war in Iraq and afghanistan.

I have no doubt , the work you do can be very depressing and difficult, but you cant possible know the minds of a majority of or military. what you say in fact insults the integrity of those of us who served this country before you and those who serve today. I have a feeling , by repeating the same things the media does ad nauseum that you are preparing yourself for a future life in politics. If so, stop projecting your own reasoning onto others. You certainly have benefitted, you are like a politician looking to get something without ever putting yourself in danger, I'm not impressed.

go to michael yon or patdollard.com to see what so many soldiers really believe about serving, particularly today.

CPT Leonard,

As a father of a 12yr old girl and 7yr old boy, I can attest to the desire to make their life better than my own. Much as the generations before me have. My wife and I are both prior Army. We made a joint decision to ETS after our second child was born. Our daughter grew up an Army brat for the most part. She even spent a year with her grandparents while my wife and I were assigned to Korea. Our daughter sees nothing glamorous about her parents being in the Military. However, she does hold all servicemembers in very high regard. She understands a bit of what the 2%ers go through. Because of that first-hand experience, she has no plans of joining the military. My 7 year old turned 1 the month we signed out on terminal leave. He has no idea about deployments, FTX's, PCS moves, or any of the other hardships military families choose to endure. He feels the Military is the only life for him. I will not do anything to discourage him if he decides to take the oath. As you are well aware, there are many positive attributes from service. I try to instill the importance of 'not forgetting where they came from'. It's important that they remember their family traditions and heritage and the sacrifices made so that they will have a better life. At least that is my hope.

My advice, don't throw the pictures away, you may need to break them out one day when your son or daughter is retiring after 20 years of service.

I wish you luck in your future endevours. L.Buerger

Jeff, I am saddened by your wish to cover your service away from your children. As a dad I do not cover up who I am to my kids. They are smart enough to know who/what I really am - weather I cover it or not. My job is to teach them options BUT to let them make their own decisions - even if their decisions are not the ones I would make for them. I pray that you do not hide your service from your kids or anyone else for that matter. Please "wear" your benifits received and your service to this great country for anyone to see.

Motives mean nothing - results and benefits mean everything.

Best wishes,
John

This is for Bill and Thomas, go back and reread Jeff's 'Good-bye' and this time without as much defensiveness as you originally read it. You've misconstrued the entire context. You apparently haven't read his entire blog but instead pick and choose...otherwise you would know he is very much in harm's way. Nor was he saying only the poor enlist and fight wars. Go back and reread the entry! Get all the facts before shooting from the hip (no pun intended).

Jeff, we are so very proud of you, please be safe, we anxiously await your return. Keeping you and all those who serve in our prayers.

I'm proud of you and what you are doing for our country. Your honest writing provides a vision of the sacrifice you are making on a daily basis.
I'm praying for your safe return home.

Donna, it's remarkable that you accuse me of not carefully reading Jeff's farewell post and that you claim that I said he was never in harms way. Your reading comprehension leaves a little bit to be desired. You need to reread my original post, I never asserted Jeff was not in harms way. My main underlying point is to call into dispute his claim and I quote "I have yet to meet any rich men's sons."

Having read his blog post probably 6 times now and yours 3 or 4 times at least I am even more offended by his admitted and desired hypocrisy. We would have all be better served had he not said some of the things he said or perhaps worded them differently. As I said before no father would want his son to go into combat, but Jeff goes into great length to detail how he benefited financially from serving in the Army, as a counselor, and how he is going to do his level best to discourage his kids from serving. He impugns the very group of people he hopes to become, ie. the "rich", who in his estimation don't have enough representation in the military. I'm not sure what he qualifies as "rich", that's a very relative term. However when he criticized people of comfort but yet he himself hopes to become one someday to keep his own kids from serving that was just a bit to much for me to stomach.

I decided to do a little research on Jeff's other statement, "Where are the children of our leaders here?". As early as 2004 there were 8 children of house and senate members serving in the military and most of those were in Iraq. In 2004 at least 3 members of the house armed services committee were serving in Iraq, all three in combat roles. Not in the relative safety of non combat positions. The renowned propagandist liar Michael Moore was one of the first to start the urban myth that our elected representatives don't have children serving in the military because that lie fit his agenda. Eight out of 535 equates to 1.5%, which incidentally is the average between 1 and 2%, the numbers mentioned in Jeff's post. Maybe next time Jeff can do a little research before making statements that aren't backed up by facts and reality.

Hypocrisy is a staple of the left in our country today. It's very easy for so many to gleefully impugn and criticize others while doing the very thing themselves. I lost a tremendous amount of respect for Jeff in reading his final blog entry. I will say again that I find it remarkable that his didn't float his ideas of wanting to shield his kids from his service as a counselor and his hope to be "rich" enough to help ensure they won't "need" the GI bill to get through college.

Lastly I want to describe one the children of a congressman who served in the Marines in Iraq. On 9/11 he was working for a high tech firm in San Diego. He was also married and the father of an infant son and decided to enlist due to events of 9/11. He was deployed to Iraq as a guns platoon commander in a Marine artillery battalion, which is a combat position. Here is a quote of his I happened across, "I got chills, and thought about how proud I am to be fighting for America in my capacity". This Marine is none other than Duncan Duane Hunter.
Contrast Mr. Duncan's attitude to Jeff's desire to shield his service as a counselor in the Army from his children and not to "glamorize" his service. To me I see a remarkable difference both in the words and the content and makeup of the individuals mentioned.

I had known that Cpt. Leonard had been writing this blog for quite some time, but had decided long ago to not read any of the entries because I worried that my comments might sway his writing one way or another and it was his project. The entire point, at least from my understanding, was for him to tell his story. Which means it would be his thoughts and his feelings on his experience. Understandably not everyone will agree with his opinions. That's fine, quite frankly I don't care. I haven't always agreed with his views and many other people have not always agreed with mine. What bothers me is that some of the comments seem to have gone way off the mark. I know this is more of an exception and that the majority of the readers did get the point. But when someone implies that their five day war gave them more credibility because they were combat arms than some one that lives with multiple mortar and rocket attacks over a year long period, that is simply ridiculous to the point of being offensive. I didn't want to trivialize the experiences or the trials of anyone that has served, regardless of their capacity. However, I feel the need to point out some striking disparities. A 100 hour war is not the same as a 5 year insurgency, being in danger over the course of a week is not the same as being in danger over the course of a year, and most importantly; IEDs, rockets, mortars, and snipers don't care whether or not you signed up to be an infantryman. As for the "relative safety of non combat positions." That statement could only be made by some one who is ignorant of the reality in which my team lives. A fair percentage of the soldiers that we have worked with that were killed or wounded during this deployment were "non combat." There have also been other combat experiences directly involving this team that could not be mentioned because of operational security issues. No one on my team has a combat arms MOS however, we decided to sign up for something different. We do not have the first hand, personal experience that these guys have. However, you should remember the fact that of the more than 1,000 soldiers we have lived and worked with this past year, over 90% of them are combat arms. I'm not claiming that any of us know the mentality of majority of the Army, but I think it's fair to say that given our job and our situation, we know the mentality of more than a few isolated servicemen. Also, this is not my first deployment. I was deployed in the first year of this operation and I must comment that I have noticed big differences in the way this war is viewed by other soldiers now as opposed to then. There is a sense of patriotism and service through out all branches of the military that isn't matched by those at home, but the nature of this conflict changes those who were in it. Most can't expect to leave here with the same person as when they arrived. I have talked to too many people that have had multiple deployments. Soldiers that quite simply have been blown up too many times, lost too many friends, missed too many birthdays, too many anniversaries, missed too many years of watching their children grow up while they were in this place. Some of them continue to serve despite these hardships while others have decided they have done enough for their country. Some of them have decided that the additional benefits the Army provides are enough to tip the scales back towards a decision to reenlist. Regardless, it is their decision and it is not a clear cut, black and white kind of choice for everyone. What some people tend to forget is that when a person makes a choice it doesn't mean they have to love all the strings that are attached and when someone comes to a new conclusion based on experience it not hypocrisy. What I find to be hypocritical is when you judge some one based on your situation and not theirs. Although there are always going to be parallels, this is not the Gulf War, it is not Viet Nam, it is not even the same conflict is was 3 years ago. So when you read this blog to try and get a sense of what this conflict feels like right now to a person living in it, how is it not hypocritical to discount their experience based on what you want to believe? Were the rockets that flew over my head not real because my MOS isn't infantry? Did the IEDs decide not to explode because we're "non combat" soldiers? And if you can honestly say that you've never talked to a young 11B that signed because of the benefits that the Army provides then you obviously haven't talked to very many soldiers. I know I'm not speaking for everyone that has served in Iraq or the military, but I'm not claiming to. What I am claiming is to speak for what I've seen with my own eyes and not to simply regurgitate CNN or Fox News as if watching that meant I must really know what is happening thousands of miles away. I'm sure you can find others that disagree with what I've said, there's bound to be a soldier somewhere in this country with a different opinion than mine. So, when you finally find someone else that you think has enough credibility in your eyes, when you've found that person who tells their story the way you wanted to hear it, feel free to move on. As far as I'm concerned, I know what happened here.

First of all let me say that I really do appreciate all of the comments people have sent in over the last couple of weeks regarding my letter. Over the course of the 50 blog entries I went to great lengths to avoid expressing any opinions. Those that read the blog from the beginning know that the blog was not intended to propagate opinions. Perhaps, I should have extended that to my goodbye letter as well.
Several of you, particularly veterans, seemed to understand the essence of what I was trying to say and have shared a desire to shelter your children from what you yourselves have experienced. That was my only point regarding that issue. As I wrote, "I am not ashamed. I simply do not wish to glamorize these things to my children."
My son is named after his great grandfather who was a paratrooper in WWII. When I left for Iraq a picture of him in his class As complete with jump wings hung framed in my son's room right next to a picture of me in my Class As. My son looks up at these pictures as he plays. There are pictures all over our house of me and other family members in uniform. I have to be realistic about what impact these sort of things may have on him as he grows up. He will always know his daddy was in a war, but I just want to reconsider the visual emphasis. Do not worry, L. Buerger, I will never throw the pictures away.
To Bill, your first comment was far more level handed, it seemed, and I, in fact, agreed with much of what you said. Military service "can provide so many of the rudderless kids...both the discipline and the ability to follow directions". It sounded like you may have had some combat experiences of your own at some point in your life based on the strength of your conviction. Maybe you have children too, and you may in fact have related to the portion of my message regarding a desire to shelter your children from some of the things you may have seen. I certainly did not wish to offend you or any other veteran.
As Bill and others alluded to, military service offers great opportunities. I was once a Retention NCO before I became an officer. It was my job to know all of the re-enlistment benefits. Now it seems that every time I turn around, the Army is offering more to help and support the service members, in particular those that have been deployed. The Army offers great opportunities, as I said in my letter. No one seemed confused about that contention. I am grateful to the Army and I am grateful that the military provides opportunities for those that need them.
Let me again say that I meant no offense to anyone, particularly veterans. At the risk of sounding trite, it truly is great that we are all afforded the wonderful benefit of free speech in our country. Let's not argue with each other. My experiences are my own, as are my thoughts. When I wrote, I was writing primarily as a father. But I was also writing as a veteran. Thanks for reading.
Sincerely,
Jeff Leonard

Jeff,

I only read a few of your begining blogs a few months ago. I have a good reason for this. I am very good friends with Sgt. Carpenter. He recommended your blog to me to get a better understanding of what he and all of you were going through in Iraq. I stopped reading after only a few, because what you wrote about made the entire thing way too real for me. Prior to reading your blog I was under the impression that he's a counselor, he's not seeing combat, what kind of harm would come to him. Your blog changed that for me, it took away what little feelings of security I had for my friend. I want to thank you for that. Just as it made it a little too real for me, it made it real for all of the other people who came across your blog. We need more sources of what is truly happening there, something that is not skewed or tainted by a third party. I am proud of my friends and family who have served in the military. I think the thing that people who have negatively commented on your blog and even yourself missed, and that Sgt. Carpenter touched on is that decisions arent made in black and white. I feel it is a fair assessment that a lot of people join the military for the financial burdens it will help avoid, but I don't think any person could do what you guys do only for money, and on that same note I dont think anyone who joined the military for the pride of serving their country would do it for free. In any case, regardless of the motivation behind it or whether or not we agree with the war itself, military service is something to be proud of and I am thankful to all of those who have participated. I do plan on reading all of your blog entries, but I will wait until he is home safe.

Anyone looking for a solid replacement blog, written by someone actually riding along in combat outside the wire, may want to check out Michael Yon's dispatches from the front here.

Hmmm... Looks like that link isn't functioning. Here it is again... www.michaelyon-online.com.

Hi. I dont know if you are a relgious person or not, but I will pray for your safe return back to USA. Just hang on and do your best out there cuz everyone here is going to wait for you. Thank you and please do your best to try and help others and encourage others over there when they need it. Good Luck and God Bless!

Jeff,

Thank you for your service to the country and for the effort that went into writing your blog all the while clearly having a lot of other demands on your energy, attention and time. Your blog has been, for this citizen, a very important window into "what is really going on over there" for good and bad.

What comes through most clearly in your excellent writing is that wars are fought by people; individuals with all the baggage everyone of us carry around. Your portraits of ordinary soldiers dealing with all manner of challenges personal and professional has been remarkable, eye-opening and very valuable.

Thank you again. I wish you a safe and speedly return home to your family.

Jeff, Please post a P.S. that you are home safely, we continue to pray for your safe return.

Our Son has returned early from Iraq as a wounded warrior. Every one of the Army medical staff we have encountered has had the same compassion and dedication that you have. They are all amazing Soldiers. We thank you for your service to our country and your fellow soldiers - but also your service to all of us here at home through your blog. Even though many posts brought me not only to tears, sobbing tears, I felt that I could trust your eye witness over any news report. If anyone deserves to have an opinion and voice it is you. I agree with your opinion about not wanting your Son to join the military - I felt the same about my Son, but he felt strongly about joining, like you wanted to serve. He now feels differently, not because of the injury, but because of what he witnessed there.

I hope that you will be able to publish your blog and diary and that it is a best seller - we need more honest, true voices. I'll buy your book.

God speed home again.

First off my hat is off to the CPT.I am also a Army soldier.I was born and raised out of Fresno.I have been doing the Army thing going on 10 yrs now and am also going to Iraq for my 3rd time.I was there when the first invasion for OIF kicked off in March of 2003.And I just got back Sept of last yr and leave again shortly.I am a father of a 9 yr old step-son that has been with me since 2002.He wants to be a soldier when he is older and I encourage him to do so.There is nothing wrong with having pictures of you and friends and what not in uniform wheather it be greens,blues or any other.To me as a service member wo enjoys what he does that is kind of disrespectful,being tha it comes off as you being ashamed or wearing a uniform.Of course thats proably not the case but none the less be proud for what you do and the uniform you wear.Last thing is this,you might feel more proud if you were able to lead a team or a platoon of men on a daily basis.Being stuck on a FOB or a Camp behind a desk doesnt answering phones really isnt putting yourself into danger.Its the grunts and the scouts and tankers getting blown up,not so much the desk jockeys.Spend sometime in the triangle of death.Then talk bout danger and life on the line.Let me know when you have picked up pieces of another solider after watching him get blown up by a ied.