I applaud you,Capt.Powers, for your service and for what you are doing for the orphans of Iraq..My husband was in Vietnam (2 tours of duty)and and he saw the worst of humanity. How can you support John Kerry, knowing he lied and disgraced the memory of those who went before and after him. My husband was a Marine recon and he was proud to serve his country as John Kerry evidently was not.We did NOT agree with that war as we do not agree with this one, but through all that he experienced, he did it as a true patriot...Continue what you are doing for the orphans, but find a better candidate to support..one who brings honor to a country with so many casualties. My husband lost many comrades and as a Veteran he honors their memories. They did their duty to God and their country...Support our military, do not denegrate them or their service.

Jonathan, I found an article about what you are doing in The Oregonian, Portland, OR, Mar. 31. This is the first good news I've had about this war with Iraq. You are my hero. Every day I dream of no more war, and everyone feels the sadness over this (I feel it, and I know others also do, and it's very depressing since we invaded that country,like a pall hanging over our heads all the time--I have found it hard to be happy in general, and then you come along and you did more than serve the country and help Iraqis gain democracy (a long, hard process at best), you did each day's patroland and then you went to play with and help the children of St. Hannah's orphanage. Now THIS news I can bear! I'm SO proud to know young people like you are trying to make what actually is a HUGE difference for now AND down the road. You are a blessing here and abroad! Let's keep it up so those little ones do not grow up with a gun and/or a bomb in their possession--rather lets teach them peace and love for all. They need an example in someone like you, and I pray there are many more doing what you did. The teens are going to be the hardest to deal with, but I think we can reach them at some level.

Good for you and thank you for finding a "special niche" over there in Baghdad. Again, how can those with very little means help you help those kids? There has got to be more than money for those who have none to give. I want to keep on top of this throughout the years. Can you give updates on your work and what is going on over there perchance. If so send me the URL to read.

Thank you a million times over!

I have precious few monetary means, but what else can be done other than the millions of dollars you need? I did send out one article about you and what you are trying to do. What else can we do? You have a pivotal idea because saving their youngsters/teens NOW might eventually save Iraq and another invasion to fight the children who lay out bombs and even run suicide missions. That has GOT to stop. Other than bringing those kids in the orphanage home what do we do?

CPT Powers, What you are doing is incredible. We thank you and appreciate your service and dedication. SGT David McKeever was a dear friend of ours, we met you at the Movie Premier Gunner's Palace. Thank you for all you're doing and the lives in which you are making a difference! Hooah!!

Jon, I want to thank you for everthing that you are still doing, I am the widow of SGT. David McKeever, one of the friends you lost, I remember him telling me how you guys would watch the Bills game together. He would be so proud of you as I am.

When you see a story on television about a person you know the first reaction usually is to fall off your couch. Having taught Jon in 8th grade and having the pleasure of seeing him recently, I was not surprised at all about his wonderful work he is doing. I always ask my students to come back and visit so I can hear of all their accomplishments, but Jon you've topped them all!! Thank you Jon for making us all in Buffalo feel proud. Thank you NBC!

I fully agrre with all those comments that put the contribution of Cap. Jonathan Powers as one of the most reaching type to the hearts of Iraqi civilians who were caught in the middle and left orpahns behind. This type of efforts epresents, at the highest level, the nobility of our mission in Iraq and that our original goal has been to help Iraqis ti live a free hounarable life like other nations. I was born in Iraq and I as well as many that I know who became aware of this story, have our highest respect, salutations, and indebtness for Capten Powers for his truly kind thoughts and implementation of morality of our nation. Thank you Capten Powers we all are proud of you and what you you do.

So much of the press out of Iraq is negative. Stories like this need to be heard more often so that people know that what is being done in Iraq is having positive effects. Captain Powers and the men and women serving in Iraq should be applauded and given even more recognition and air time. They have taken a difficult situation and made it a positive experience for those around them and in the US.

I applaud Capt. Powers and think that there must be so many people that are proud of him. Somewhere one of his teachers is glowing. I know that I am so proud of my former students who are now soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

There are so many of these people that need recognition. The smallest symbol means so much to them. The yellow ribbon, the American flag flying proudly, the magnet on your car. Our high school has honored our graduates who are serving with small hearts bearing their names. It is not too much to ask to show support to the men and women who are volunteering to do this. Whether you beleive in the war or not, the militar are needed. They need our support to continue to do a job that many could not do.

I hope that every person has the ability to support our soldiers in some way. It can be as simple as mailing a care package, or donating money to Captain Powers cause. It can be as complex as doing what Captain Powers is doing. But please support them and their efforts.

I know I have found a new charity to give to. Great job Captain Powers. You've made this teacher very proud.

Capt. Powers has it right. We need to help these children and show by example that we are not evil Americans as they perhaps have been taught. Helping these children now is preventive medicine, and a huge investment in a hate-free future.
It was a pleasure seeing the "Making A Difference" story about Capt. Powers last night. I want to see that kind of news. It is an inspiration and a catalyst to positive action.

As a family memeber of Jon's, I can tell you that his interest in helping these Iraqi orphans is unselfish and motivated by what he saw as a soldier. He lives his life with the same unselfishness and geniune caring for people. We are so proud of Jonathon!

It just makes sense that this man has a super hero name like Capt. Powers ;-) Please let us know how we can follow his story and help this cause.

Bravo Brian and the staff at Nightly for the Making a Difference Series. It just goes to show you that you can give good news and still deliver compelling stories with journalistic integrity.

I hope you'll do more than "bring it back on ocassion"... doing it nightly is a lot of work but one way to differentiate your show from the others and attract more viewers. As tonight's piece showed, there are stories out there that need to be covered. It informed, educated and simultaneously helped countless innocent children.

Having been a regular Williams viewer since the early 90's this story was one of the high points. Television news mentor Fred Zehnder suggested to me over a decade ago that I watch Brian on "The News with Brian Williams" on MSNBC. Today, Brian and the NBC staff did journalists proud. Thanks.

Kudos and keep the "Making a Difference" series a regular!

Capt. Jonathan Powers, US Army, exemplies the finest tradition of the military. As an ex-Marine, I salute him!

God Bless you, and keep up the great work you are doing sir. I don`t have any moeny to date but would like to do something to help...please let us all know how.

Are there opportunities to adopt an Iraqi orphan?

Thank You Brian Williams and NBC News;
I applaud you for your story of Jon Williams. I applaud anyone who tries to make a difference. The unfortuneate thing is it is not done often enough. I strongly suggest that at the end of your nightly newscast you should devote a 20 second spot to a different person , or organization that lives that philosophy . No matter how small, or big. I believe that the majority of people on this planet want to do the right thing, and more often will given the chance. The sad thing is that as a society we are unable to maintain a constant effort in our daily lives for one reason or another. Most likely it's because people have families to feed and raise which is a major challenge in itself. What I find most disturbing is that collective efforts only seem to arise after it's too late. Like after a civil war , or after whatever other tragedy has fallen upon your fellow man. What angers me the most is that once everyone has put their dollar in the basket they seem to forget that there is human suffering is still going on everyday on this planet. What I think most people don't realize is that as chained down as most people are they really can make a difference. Make a donation, write a letter to your government. Offer hope to people who have none.There are people and organizations who do this on a daily basis who need all the support they can get. Please keep this in mind . When you compare the standards of the west to the standards every where else I truly feel we really don't have it that bad here, and we should be able to do much collectively, and daily. I feel fortuneate myself for being exposed to extreme poverty in Central America when I was 6 years of age, and have not forgotten what others have to go through just live another day.I ask all of you to try to gain perspective on the life you live,and to the subsistant life others live. Don't be afraid to rock the boat; you can make a difference. I will also ask that you look at the website of an NGO called Project Concern International that works in these war torn regions. This NGO has been in existence for 45 years, and was founded by DR JIm Turpin and at 85 years of age is soon to retire . The remarkable thing about this one man , and his effort has inspired others to carry on his lifesaving work. I am their youngest volunteer here in the San Francisco Chapter and we really could use any support , or exposure no matter how small. Most of our volunteers are now in their 70's to their mid 80's and we are are now starting to lose the volunteers who have been there since the beginning. I have to get the word out, and get new blood into our Chapter before our before they pass. If anyone can help us , or any group like us. Please do. You'll be surprised how easy, and painless it can be.Help your fellow man. Thank You for taking the time to care.

As a fellow highschool class mate of Jon's many years ago, I am proud that someone I know of, in our hometown is getting recognized for their ambitions to help others where needed, especially the innocent children.His inspiring story and quest to make a difference in these childrens lives makes everyone here in Buffalo, NY proud of him, we pray for you Jon and are so touched by what you have been doing.

We need more of Powers' humanitarian spirit and fewer American guns in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan. We have a great opportunity to do good in the Muslim world by offering a big heart rather than a heavy hand. Why are we not helping Pakistan's earthquake victims like we helped Tsunani and Katrina's victims. This is an opportunity lost.

Jonathan Powers is a genuine and heartfelt illustration of the ideology: "it's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness". Here is a truly inspiring story of an upstanding, young, impressionable American soldier who has made the choice (it seems) to not become bitter about the Iraq situation. Instead, he is, in his own profound way showing the world how love, selflessness and constructive action can truly impact a war-torn country. Please keep stories like Jonathan's coming!!

Jon Powers has a big heart. My project Rag dolls 2 love, Inc www.ragdolls2love.org sends rag dolls to children turned all to quickly into adults by war and other events. We cover all the cost to ship the dolls to the children. I would like to work with Jon Powers to send dolls to the children with whom he works.

My husband has been serving in Iraq since April of this year. After he left I knew I needed to do something to stay connected to him over there and to fill my spare time. I decided I wanted to help the children of Iraq. I truly believe if we are going to win the hearts and minds of the people of Iraq it will be though the next generation of children. I starting sending flyers around and the word spread. I have had many Eagle Scouts do service projects gathering school supplies and boxing them up. There have been schools that have done fundraiser, all for the Iraq children. I sent over about 100 boxes filled with supplies, 482 backpacks filled with everything a child would need for school. I now have a conex container filled with supplies and ready to send again. My husband is moving from his base and will probably not be able to get the new shipment. I was wondering if Jon was going over there, if this would be something he would be interested in getting distributed to the children. I am just interested in getting these supplies over to the children who need them. I see these children in the news and the pictures my husband sends home and my heart aches for them. We live in such abundance. It is time for all of us to do something to help change the worlds view of us as Americans. I believe that most Americans love to serve others, they just don't know how. Sometimes it is just the small things that make the biggest difference in peoples lives. Children having there own backpack with there own pencils and paper. Just owning something gives them hope for a better future. If you have any information that would help to get these supplies over to the Children of Iraq I would appreciate it very much.
Thank You
Jolleen

How can Americans contribute to the orphanage John Powers is trying to establish?

I'm in awe of Jonathan Power's mission to help the orphans. How can others contribute to this great cause?
Please continue this series.

Dear Jonathan Powers,

Thank you so much for all you're doing for the orphans in Iraq! My heart goes out to these poor children. Is there any way that these children can be adopted by us Americans?
Also, I belong to a quilting group that makes quilts for needy children all over the world. Could these children use quilts? If so, could you email me and let me know where to send them.
Thank you for your caring and concern.(I have been an
elementary teacher for 34 years, newly retired. I would love to help in any way that I can.)

I loved the story. I was just wondering what I can do to help the cause. I my self am a Vet. from Operation Iraq Freedom. If anyone know where I could give my time or money could you let me know?

To hear about your drive and unselfishness towards helping the young orphaned children, who are the war victims in Iraq only ignites the desire to help. If only all people saw first hand what you have witnessed.

We need more stories like yours in the newspapers.

God will bless you for this.