Mr. Williams:

Thank you for the touching interview with my friend, Donna Kiernan. Her story brought tears to my eyes. She is an amazing woman with a lot of courage. I strongly believe politicians should hear her story and make a trip to Iraq as you did. What a better way to understand what our soldiers are going through and see what is actually happening over there.

I am a regular viewer of your show and look forward to your stories and comments every evening. Thank you for your excellent coverage on what is happening in the world today.

Brian and crew,

Thank you for taking the time to air the story about Donna Kiernan and her hero husband. Seems like lately we tend to forget why and how we are being granted the luxury of the freedom we all enjoy. We take it for free but the people in uniform and their families pay the price with their sacrifices for all of us and that is something we should always keep at the back of our minds. Freedom is not free as Mrs. Kiernan so appropriately quoted.
I live and work in the Washington DC metro area. People here don't seem to realize we are at WAR. And wars might start and end on a negotiation table, but are fought on the ground. Politicians who vote and decide on this war rarely have an on sight look at it and if they do, it's from the inside of a protecting "bubble". Yet decisions are made -ones that affect the lives of our troops- from people who have never set foot over there. I think the idea of politicians being embedded for a week or more and live the life of "boots on the ground" is a great one. If they care for this country so much, they shouldn't mind that it’s dangerous right? Isn't this how the forefathers of this country started? Taking risks that often seemed to be crazy? It's their duty as our spokesmen to be well informed in order to more accurately convey the information to the public. That's what we elect them for.
I realize this idea would never "fly". Mainly because all these decision makers don't have half the heart of our military people. It's been said that they join the military because they don't have anything better to do. Yes, it is their job to fight for this country's freedom and yes, in the process some give all. But it's not because they have no other options. It's because of the sense of pride for serving one's country. This is also the reason why enlistments went up after Sep 11th.
It's sad to see how short of a memory Americans have though. Just six years later and Paris Hilton in and out of jail makes headlines. More than the sacrifices of the people who provide and guard the freedom she so cherishes! At this point I'll sidetrack for a second and say that the media sell this country soooo short, if they think that is what the public wants to hear and cares about. It's just disheartening!!!
I come from Europe and it allows me to look at this war from multiple angles. I might not agree with this war, the political aspect of it and how it has been used for publicity reasons. Having said that let me make clear that I will always salute and support the troops. Because to them is not about a political game, votes or economical superiority. It's about introducing the American way to everybody. The freedom, opportunity and choice the American way of life offers an individual, something that unfortunately people in other parts of the world can't even imagine. Our troops make a difference over there and it’s because of them being there that we can afford to engage in our everyday activities, (including the political bickering that so hurts them) as if nothing has changed.
Your interview, as great as it might have been, barely reached enough people. We (the American public) need more of this so this country can realize what the toll is for Mrs. Kiernan’s and another 3700 plus families that have been directly affected by this war. People need to realize the ramifications of it. It’s not just the IEDs or the casualties and the way this war is portrayed in the news every night. It’s about proper funding for our soldiers so they can be protected, while making a difference for the life of people both over there and in the US. Whether we like it or not we send them in harms way, to protect our way of life and we need to stay behind them and support them.
In the letter that SSG Kiernan wrote –and please publicize all of it, the Killeen Herald only had an excerpt from it- you will see the pride soldiers take in the difference they make for Iraqi people. Please interview some of his friends and comrades when they return home or visit for R&R. We need the soldier’s point of view made public. They are the hands on experts, doing two jobs; their military duties and rebuilding a country -not at all part of their military duties-. Even so, they do a GREAT job. Maybe if that letter, the opinion of the simple soldier witha heart of gold, had reached our politicians earlier, it would have made war discussions held behind closed doors, so as not to give our enemies an edge in believing that we are going to falter.
Thank you again for providing true coverage and please Carry On, knowing that this is what the American public wants to see.

Sincerely,

Brian, I watched your interview with Donna Kiernan, Staff SGT Chris Kiernan wife. Chris was our nephew. Your interview was a kind and caring conversation with Donna. Donna has taken on a crusade to inform the citizens of the United States of the sacrifices and hardships the US
Military encounter in their service to the United States. Please continue to support her efforts.
We are regular viewers of your nightly news.

Thanks

Mr Williams

Thanks for the piece on Donna Kiernan and her late husband - we are friends of her extended family and regularly watch your show - a great piece of journalism and what life's hardships are for those left at home. We all pay a price for freedom and should be grateful.

Mr.Williams, I would like to comment on the interview you did with Donna Kiernan. I, too, am a military wife, stationed in Schweinfurt Germany. Every week I attend the Memorial Ceremonies of our fallen Soldiers here and I witness the pain the families are going through. We have 6 Memorials pending for July 2 and July 3rd for brave Soldiers, like SSG Chris Kiernan, who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country and Iraq. I witness the "walking wounded" with the shrapnel wounds attending these services and weeping for their fallen battle buddies. There is death and sadness all around our little community that has lost so many loved ones. And then I turn on the news and see a broadcast on Paris Hilton. It is very frustrating to those of us living this war, to watch broadcasts like that, and I turn them off. I did, however, watch your interview with Donna Kiernan. I watched and wept. Thank you for showing us her story, for telling us about her and Chris' message. She is an incredible woman who has suffered an unimaginable loss of such a wonderful man. Please continue to do interviews of Soldier's families and to tell the Soldier's point of view. After all, they are the ones there on the ground, fighting this fight for all of America. Thank you.

Mr Williams,
Thank you so much for the time you took to interview Donna Kiernan. Donna is my boss and I also have a husband that is currently in Iraq. I think alot of times we military wives begin to wonder if anyone in the United States even knows or cares what is going on in Iraq. Soldiers are dying every day and to some they are just a number. SSG Kiernan and all of the fallen heros will never be just a number to us. Yes, the current President and congress are the ones that got us involved in this "mess" to begin with, now I wonder who is going to have the guts to get us out? Thank you again for the time you always take for our soldiers in Iraq and for the wonderful time that you spent getting Donna's message out.

For what good it will do - I apparently need to reiterate some facts about Iraq, that people are obviously in denial over. What's happening in Iraq is HIGHLY political ! I'm saying this as a Navy Veteran, of 8 yrs. - Active Duty; including time @ BIOT & in the Persian Gulf, w/ the 5th Fleet. My point here is that what's happening in Iraq is EXACTLY what happened in Viet Nam, Beirut ( In the 80's. ) & Somalia ( In the 90's. ). 3, 600 soldiers have died in Iraq, SOLELY because of the incompetence &/or indifference of our political leadership. Generals & Admirals BECOME Politicians when they put their 1st star's on ! Our soldiers in Iraq are being 'sniped' @, or "fragged" by roadside IED's; because there aren't ENOUGH of them in - theatre. They don't have adequate "Rules of Engagement" & are ill - supplied w/ the right equipment. The Generals, in their protected bunkers; & Politicians, sitting behind desks ( Worrying about who's controlling OUR gov't. ! ) - don't understand this, or even care !!

DEAR MR. WILLIAMS,

MY WIFE AND I ARE CLOSE FRIENDS WITH CHRIS AND DONNA KIERNAN. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM IN THE INTERVIEW YOU CONDUCTED WITH CHRIS' WIDOW, DONNA. NOW I KNOW WHY DONNA WANTED TO REACH YOU WITH CHRIS' STORY. CHRIS WAS A FINE SOLDIER, AS MANY ARE WHO FIGHT FOR THE FREEDOM OF THIS COUNTRY. SO MANY STORIES ABOUT THE WAR ARE DONE IN BAD TASTE. THANK YOU FOR SHOWING THE OTHER SIDE.

Thank you for having such a great inteview with such a great woman. And thank you guys for being with the soldiers and taking your time out for them. I would love to see more!

I can understand that politics landed us in Iraq, but it is the SOLDIER who volunteered to join our military, to serve our country, to defend freedom...and as AMERICANS who SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, we should never forget that.
We should never forget heros like Chris Kiernan, who served proudly, lead honorably, and without a doubt loved completely. We can all see how Donna Kiernan's heart is broken, yet how proud she remains of this soldier who did his duty. Without blame on the Commander in Chief, Donna is undoubtedly looking to make a positive difference. If our politicians were imbedded, they would understand that you canNOT publicize timelines as that puts our troops in jeopardy. The politicians would understand that more funds are needed to protect our soldiers from roadside bombs (which account for 80% of our soldiers' fatalities). Maybe then, the politicians would see that their political "scuttlebut" only lowers morale...which is what keeps these soldiers going. More power to you MRS. KIERNAN! God bless her, our soldiers, and America: home of the free, because of the brave.

Mr. Williams,
Your story about SSG Kiernan really touhed me. I am also a Military wife here in Killeen. Donna did a good job expressing her message...we can't forget about our soldiers sacrificing their lives to defend our everday life...our freedom.

The nightly news peice on Donna Kiernan was very touching. I read the article about her loss in the Killeen Daily Herald last month. I cannot imagine the way it must feel to suffer the loss that she has. Her thoughts and feelings about the war in Iraq are something that our Politicians need to hear. Thank you for taking the time to share the story of a sincere woman.

Dear Brian, Your Broadcast with Donna Kiernan was very moving and poignant. I know she has so much more to say about troop support that 6 minutes couldn't begin to cover. You should pass her name on to the powers that be in congress and have her speak before one of the committees reviewing the war in Iraq. This amazing woman has done more for the troops than you will ever know. We constantly get e-mails from her suggesting ways that we can help, and we are glad to do so. Keep up your support of the troops and keep Donna on your contact list as she is a wonderful source of information. Sincerely, Chris' Aunt Pat

Sir,

My name is Leland V. East Sr., father of Donna East Kiernan and the father in-law of the late SSG Chris Kiernan.

I would like to express my utmost sincere appreciation for the manner in which you and your associates conducted the interview that was granted to my daughter on June 19 - 20,2007 and aired on June 21, 2007 at 5:30 pm CST on NBC Nightly News nation wide.

Donna was allowed to express Chris's views on what was taking place in Iraq and what was needed for our soldiers to survive this war.

You allowed her to talk about herself, but more so she is fighting for someone to listen to the actual fact's of what Chris wanted to get across to the Americans back home.

Donna expressed her desire to talk to you because she knew that you are a combat soldiers friend and you would tell the story with the correct message.

I do not think that getting a large influx congress to Iraq would be benifical to the soldiers on the front line because their visit would be planned, white-washed and be given the opportunity to see only what the generals felt would best benifit the President for smoke screening the Americans on what really goes on in the war.

If you would breakdown Chris's last letter home "My last 6 months in Baghdad" I think that you would find that the Combat Soldier would like to be able to do their job's as they are trained to do. The soldiers want to be able to pull off the kid gloves and get the job done with minimal loss of the American Soldiers and come home.

I would like to thank you again for a very well conducted interview, story and for letting Donna open her heart to America.

Brian Williams And Crew: Thank you for the wonderful interview with Donna Kiernan. Chris was my nephew and Donna is doing a wonderful job of never letting us forget what he and so many others have done for all of us. Your concern and gentleness was very evident during the interview. Please continue to let the world know that, as Donna stated, FREEDOM IS NOT FREE.
We are regular viewers and always enjoy your topics that you choose to report. Thank you Peggy B

Brian,
Thank you for taking the time to share Donna's message with America. I am Sgt. Chris Kiernan's cousin and have had the honor to visit Killeen on many occasions to spend time with Chris and Donna over the years. Visiting Killeen will make you feel proud to be an American as you are surrounded by the dedicated men and women serving in the Army. Chris and Donna were a special couple and we are so very proud that she continues to carry on Chris's words to advocate for our troops. Your piece was accurate, educational and appreciated.

"Carry on!"

As a platoon sergeant in Baghdad and friend of both Donna and Chris, I would like to personally thank you for your coverage of her story. She and her husband have done so much to help so many with little or nothing in return, it is good to see that her message to the American people is there for them to see. Over the years we have endured so much negative media coverage that sometimes can become disheartening, but pieces like yours help remind us why it is we do what we do. One of the areas that I agree with most in Donna's message is that the political "grandstanding", if you will needs to stop. As Chris mentioned in his email, the political turmoil and legislative branch bickering (see clinton, obama, and pelosi) continue, all they accomplish is to embolden our enemy, providing them the will to endure. In the military, we are responsible for our own censorship based on operational security, but politicians are not? I am not saying that the people do not have the right to know, but when the unwitting bantor of politicians such as our House Speaker, who speaks with little or no perspective on military protocol, worsens the position of the soldiers on the ground, what is it going to take to get her, and others like her, to filter their own subject matter. And, by the way, if the average soldier can work 12 to 18 hour days for 15 months at a time to resolve the conflict in Iraq for $40,000 a year with partial retirement, why can congress not come at least a little closer to the mark for their $230,000 with 100 percent retirement for only one term served. You want to talk mathematics, figure that equation out. That one was actually Democratic legislation. I looked it up.

As a soldier stationed in Iraq and a close personal friend of Chris and Donna Kiernan, I would like to thank you for your comprehensive coverage of Donna and Chris' story. With this being my second tour of duty in Iraq, I am proud to see that the prominent message being sent is finally coming straight from the source, ie, those with the most invested in this conflict. This is not a "Next generation Vietnam". The men and women of the military are not here by federal decree, but rather their own personal choice. Each of us have our own reasons for choosing this fight, many of us to prevent the annhilation of our way of life. Every day I see the resolve of our country's enemy, savage and void of any sense of honor as we rush local nationals regardless of gender or age, for that matter, to local hospitals because Al-Qaida views the death of a child in the line of fire as "God's will". Not on our watch. We here will continue to fight not because our government keeps us here, but rather in good keeping with the values instilled within our own documents of independence and liberty. Those that have the ability to combat the wicked, have the responsibility to do so. And to all families who have lost in this War on Terror since the fall of the World Trade Center, please take comfort in knowing that your sacrifice is ours, we will never forget, and we will most certainly never give up. Where is that campaign slogan? Certainly not in the liberal camp. And by the way, the quote still states, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country". Please continue your comprehensive and insightful coverage of our countries struggle for freedom and peace. Thank you.

Mr. Williams,

Your thoughtful interview with Mrs. Kiernan brings to light the great toll on our fighting men and women, and their families, that the war is taking. This country seems strangely disengaged from the war and its costs. As a regular viewer, I commend you for a meaningful interview. It was all carried out with the dignity it deserves. I commend Mrs. Kiernan for her bravery and her dedication to her husband and his memory. God bless her.

If there were any more to the interview, could you post it on your blog?

Thank you.

Dear Mr. Brian Williams,

I am a close friend to Donna and the late SSG Christopher Kiernan as well as an officer in Chris's company currently in Western Baghdad, Iraq. I want to first say thank you for covering Donna's story for I believe the things she said should be heard by everyone in this great country of ours. But also, I want to write you today and reiterate some things Donna stated in her interview. This war we are fighting in Iraq has been a long and grueling affair. But the Soldiers that are fighting in this country continue to wake up every morning ready to protect our nation and with hopes of making this country better than when we left it. As Donna stated, many of the Soldiers fighting in this war (this coming from first-hand experience) will leave for a mission that will last sometimes up to 12 hours, only to be hit by an roadside bomb or take contact during that patrol, and must return to the base to only stay up another 12 hours refitting their equipment. At the end of that refit time, it is once again time to go out on another patrol, only they are going out on this next mission with barely any sleep and sometimes without even the time to have caught a bite to eat. The Soldiers here are tired, but they continue to go out because they love their own country and they believe that they can leave this country a better place than when they first came.

And, these Soldiers are making a difference Mr. Williams. Contrary to what many people see or hear on the news media, the people of Iraq feel safer knowing that the Americans are patroling their area. The Soldiers here are unbelievable professionals that really are making a difference in the communities. On several occasions, we will talk to the locals on our patrol and they will tell us how happy they are to see us and thank us for helping them keep their neighborhoods safer. And even now, the people of Iraq are beginning to stand up to the enemy because they too are now seeing that freedom is not free...it is a right that everyone must fight to protect.

Mr. Williams, thank you once again for covering this story. I hope that it can help remind Americans that regardless of their political views, there is a war going on and that Soldiers are fighting day in and day out for their right to have that political view. I truly believe that this is a story that should continue to be told to the American public and the lawmakers of this great land from which we come. God bless and thank you for all you do.

Very Respectfully,

A Soldier that loves his country

Thank you Brian Williams for interviewing my Aunt Donna. This means alot to have Uncle Chris's story out. I appreciate the sincereness of the interview as well. I think it is a tragedy the way the things are going in Iraq. Men doing the jobs of two men. No wonder they're fatigued. I think it would be really great if our politicians even worked over here like they have the soldiers working. 18 hour days, MREs, cots to sleep on EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!!!!!!!

I think maybe a lot of you need to wake up. My husband was good friends with Chris, and he's still over in Iraq fighting "Al-Qaida" and yes, I will use that term, helping that country become better and united. My husband may not like being over there but he's doing what he knows he needs to do. He's over their being part of a team, a group who has more guts than people I've seen around me, to put his life on the line like so many of our friends and family. Donna is doing the right thing about bringing the hardship of our soldiers who NEED THE PEOPLE IN AMERICA TO BE BEHIND THEM AND SUPPORTIVE. There is nothing worse than hearing people who know nothing about this "war" talking trash. Yes, maybe we do need to worry about oil prices, and yes we do need to worry about people who's lives are completely wiped out by a sudden storm. But you know what, this was a blog about a woman who is helping a dream that her husband had, about getting out there the hardships of our service members. This isn't about Hillery or all the other things on the news, maybe you should comment that else where that doesn't involve a woman who is trying to help America realize that we need to stop caring about ourselves and start caring about people who put their lives on the line. Not just for Iraq, but our country. Our firefighters, our policemen, our soldiers. So as you lay your heads down tonight in your nice warm beds and are able to get a full nights sleep and wake up in the morning knowing your surrounded by family and friends, you think about those soldiers who barely get any sleep, who go months to a year without seeing their families, who come home to see a new born baby when they left to be a toddler, the people who go everyday knowing that today maybe their day to die. Americans don't support them like they should, but yet they still go day in and day out to do jobs that most people are to coward to do. I give all my support to Donna, not only because I know she is a wonderful woman, but because Donna and Chris deserve all the respect in the world not a bunch of trash from people who obviously don't care. Do not think that I am a angry military wife, but someone who has gone to long hearing people talking about how this "war" is stupid and uncalled for. Maybe it is, and then maybe it isn't, because if our service members weren't over their, those "terrorist" would be over here. Thank you to everyone who has been supportive. And to those who are more worried about oil prices and taxes and choose this blog to comment on them, thank you for voicing your opinions on nothing you know about. Maybe you should stop watching the news so much and try talking to a veteran in your community who knows what the price of war is really like.

Dear Mr. Williams, I would like to say thank you for taking the time to interview Donna. My husband is retired from the Army and been friends with her for a long time. We just recently visited with her and she is truly an inspiration. The tragedy that she has had to face will in time make her stronger than she already is. It is great to see that you truly care about the families that are affected by this war. She could not be more right about "Freedom not being free" and I thank God every day for those men and women that are strong enough to defend that freedom for us. I believe that whether you are for the war or against it, you should still support the troops no matter what! They are the true heroes in this world, not the million dollar sports players. Again, thank you for this very moving interview. Sincerely,

I found your interview with Donna Kiernan to be both touching and informational. I believe it is important for each of us to pause and remember the sacrafices that are made daily for our freedom. Donna introduced an idea that I had not considered before: the imbedding of politicians with our troops to enable them to witness the outcomes - both positive and negative - of the decisions they are making on our behalf. Her clarity in this time of sadness is inspirational.

Brian,

Thank you for your heartfelt interview with Donna Kiernan. That is news that we, as Americans, need to hear about and want to hear about. I absoltely agree that the politicians need to be embedded with our troops,not just sent over there to "see" what is going on, but embedded and living the life. How can they make decisions without even having an idea?

Once again, thank you for supporting our troops and covering worthy news.