First, and foremost, I am so proud to have had SSG Christopher S. Kiernan as my brother-in-law. I remember the first time I had met him. My sister-in-law Donna had called and said " Guess what", I said what, she said,"i'm getting married", and I said "What, who is this person, and few weeks later I met him, and from the moment I laid eyes upon him, I knew he was the right one, he fit like a glove. Chris was always willing to help and listen. Especially, after Hurricane Rita, Chris and his army buddies,(who are family know), helped us willingly recover from the devastation that our community had incurred. These soldiers are and always be "My Heroes." But Chris will always hold a special in my heart- he was my East Coast-Irish brother. For all of you at there,please do not forget these men and women who have served this country-voluntarily-for our freedom, for us to even be able blog good and bad(shame on them). I were the purple gold star every single day and will continue to do so, in honor of not only of my brother-in-law, but all of those past,present, and future to say"Thank You", "God Bless all of you, and I am so very proud of your courage and sacrifice.
Donna, I am so proud of your courage and strength and will always be here for you, always. I Love You.

Your, Sister-in-law,

I watched your interview with Donna Kiernan, Sgt Chris Kiernan's widow. I know Donna and know what strength it took for her to give that interview. She did it for the love of her fallen husband and all the other soldiers still there, my son is one still there. Thank you for covering what this war is costing so many families. I hope every American truly understands what Donna said, Freedom isn't Free. Many wonderful and heroic Americans are paying the ultimate price and their families pay a dear price as well. Thank you for keeping this in the news and covering the sensitive issues.

As a regular viewer of the NBC nightly news, I am grateful that you covered a story the people who's lives are forever changed by having a loved one killed the Iraqi war. Your interview with Donna Kiernan shows the effects of the war on the home front, those affected by the sacrifice our AMERICAN soldiers are making to make Iraq a free country. I am a close friend of Donna and Chris and have suffered too. Thanks for bringing a story to the american public that needs to be told each and every day until the U.S decides it needs to fight this war to WIN!

Mr. Williams. I am Donna Kiernan's neice and I want to express my deepest thanks for the wonderful interview. We are all so proud of everything Donna has done and my Uncle would be overwhelmed with the support she is getting. You have made a huge difference. I wear my gold star pin every day and will continue to wear it. I am proud of what my Uncle has done for me. This is the kind of story that should be told, from a real Hero's persepective. Thanks again.

Thank you for airing the story about the Army widow. Even though I have no relations to the military, this story really opened my eyes to the agony these people feel when a service member dies. I was also happt to learn about the star pin. Believe me, when I see someone wearing a pin like that, I will stop and them my thanks and condolenses.

Mr. Williams, I want to thank you so much for the story of Donna and Christopher Kiernan. You see, Donna is my cousin and I was with her from the evening she found out of Chris's death until two weeks after. There has never been anyone who has touched the hearts of our family like the way that her husband Chris touched ours. Their love was one that we all dream of having. They were meant to be together and that is what makes this loss so hard for all of us.

Your coverage of her story was done with such respect and our family is forever greatful to you and your staff for telling the story of a fallen hero's widow.

As we learn daily of new deaths from this war, our hearts ache for each of the families as we know all to well at the agony they are going through.

I was honored to receive one of the "Gold Star Pins" that Donna referred to and I along with all the family members that recieved one wear them proudly every day.

There is so much more of this story that could be told, but with the help of your coverage, maybe more Americans & Politicans will see just what our soldiers are going through. They are the ones that need the attention and help. They are tired and fatigued, their tour of duties do not need to be extended. They need to be taken care of first and formost.

Again, thank you for the wonderful coverage and story.

Mr. Williams,

Words cannot express the emotions that raced through our home as we watched the Donna Kiernan story. We are a military family and she showed tremendous grace and you showed tremendous compassion. Tears flowed at the time of the broadcast and we even had to turn off the TV momentarily. Today while speaking with other military friends who had seen the piece the tears flowed again. What a wonderful woman. Donna signifies what it takes to be a military spouse and reminds us of the sacrifice that is made by our soldiers daily.

Thank you again,

The reason why the number of troops dying, in Iraq, has increased is because - This "surge" increase was large enough to provoke the belief ( In D.C. ) that we can now engage enemy units more aggressively, but; was small enough that our units cannot adequately protect each other, while doing so. The main issue here is that - Politicians in Washington are STILL running this war, badly; while the Generals, in - field & otherwise, are doing what they're told ( As they BECOME Politicians, when they put their 1st star on ! ).

Thank you for using the word widow. It seems that people want to avoid that term. It's appropriate and appreciated. Your interview with Kileen was sensitive and I'm glad you did it. Keep up the good work in putting a face on the news. Jan

Brian -

Is all this travel absolutely necessary?

Didn't you pay your travel 'dues' during all those years before you became the NBC Nightly News Anchor?
That status should allow you to spend more time in the actual anchor chair at 30 Rock.

Doesn't rank still have its' privilege?

If you are still in Texas, swing by the Haltom City trailer park that was washed away in the recent floods. The mayor is not going to let people bring in replacement mobile homes and damaged homes must be certified at the homeowners expense before utilities are turned on. Sounds like eminent domain by God. They finally found a way to rid their city of the dreaded trailer park trash people. The only differences between the Katrina refugees and Haltom City refugees are their color and their number. This is wrong in America, but accepted in Texas.

For the first time ever I am writing a news program because I saw your wonderful interview with Donna Kiernan. Thank you, Mr. Williams, for reminding this far-too-self-centered nation that "Freedom isn't Free", that "it's NOT about ME." Thank you for telling us about the wearing of the Star-- I didn't know about that before. As a non-military mom of a military daughter who has served in Iraq, I thank you for the beautiful interview with Mrs. Kiernan. All Truly GOOD takes time and Hard Effort, and MUCH courage, and much good has been accomplished. Blessings and abundant Comfort that can only come from above to Mrs. Kiernan. Thank you, Brian.

Big things were going on in the world today while you were preparing your "newscast."

Republicans blocked a Senate attempt to add $29 billion in new taxes over the next ten years on oil companies. Oil companies were given overly generous tax breaks a few years ago and will make $1 trillion in profits over the next ten years. The $29 billion was to be used to create tax breaks for alternative energy.

Polls have shown that 7% of Americans rank energy issues as our most important national problem. A recent poll found that 77% of Americans would support a windfall profits tax on oil companies if the money would go to alternative fuels. 64% of Americans would be willing to pay higher fuel taxes themselves if the money would go to creating energy alternatives. Wasn't the vote block story worth covering?

The oil companies and the GOP really stuck it to America today, and NBC didn't find time to mention it.
The other night you found time to run some hit piece on Hillary featuring the opinions of two women who repeated negative characterizations about Hillary. People think Hillary schemes and is insincere because the GOP cultivated that image and the media helps them by attributing,with no evidence at all, some ulterior motive to everything Hillary does. Media members act like they can read Hillary's mind like Sylvia Browne. Now its news that some people believe it all? Its been that way since '92.

By the way, if you bothered to look, Hillary is taking considerable risk by adopting the very unpopular position that the US should keep some troops in Iraq for the long term. She can lose not only the base but the majority of Americans with this position. What scheming insincere reason does she have for wanting to keep troops in Iraq?

Its easy to see which side NBC News is on. Bash the Democrat with nonsense while covering up the GOP helping out their oil company buddies while ignoring the wishes of 77% of Americans.

Brian your report today was a sad one and heavy on the heart. First the number of soldiers killed is getting larger by the day. Then Killeen Daily Herald's story of her husband. The sad part of all this is we will see many more widows and families who will experience the same lost. I only question with so many people saying they are fighting for Iraq freedom the Iraq people don't seen to be interesting in helping the US. Even the Bush appointed Iraq government is not interesting in dealing with the problems in their country. Most of the education, professionals have left Iraq. We see those left in Iraq are poor and willing to take from both US and Al Qaeda. I words that the dead soldiers lives have to be mean something so let more die without end. Killeen Daily Herald will never see an elected official stay with the troops to see what really is happening. Our front lines read how we're helping the Iraq people build and get employment. While the educated Iraq people have move to Iran, Syria, Jordan and Sweden with their talents. The US has taken in 700 while millions have gone else where. The Iraq people have asked the US to leave we wont. As for as enemies growing up all over the world with the action and direction the US is taking in Iraq. Who is or will be the enemy? We are creating more enemies everyday.
As for Afghan I remember when Governor Bush invited the Taliban to visit the US. Now we are fighting them for Afghan. There is some much drugs in Afghan even watching our soldiers we see the fields of drugs for miles and miles. It seems like we're stepping over dollars to pick up a penny.
If I sound down it's because this is not a good day. Two many soldiers lives are lost while nothing is done.

Wow. You deserve Donna's praise and she deserves all of our prayers and admiration. What a lady, and what an inspiration. You should be very proud to be so honored by such an amazing woman.

I must say I was moved by this story on Killeen Daily very much. I'm not gonna go into about how I feel about the call the Bush Admin. made cause its not relvent right now. But I wanna let Kileen Daily know I'm with her. When and if I see a gold star pin and its seems some day I will. I will tank the person for the sacrifice there family member made for us all. With out that sacrifice we wouldn't be able to express our opnions no matter what sideof the fence you stand on. I am very grateful.

On the idea of having politicians be imbedded in Iraq I also think that is a brilliant idea. man will sy it will happen when hell freezes over but Its worth a shot. I'd like to see everyone Rep or Dem demand that of our Congressman and Political canidates. I'd love to here the response. Some will say they have gone but they haven't really experienced it from a soilders perspective. I can also hear some of them now saying well its too dangerous. Well my answer to that is well your replacable. If they can't commit they shouldn't expect other too either. I am losing faith in our government but not our soilders. They have done everything asked of them. Its the ones in Washington that have not. Thank you Mrs. Daily.

Offensive!

Your stations using the words "Al-Qaida" over and over again must have been another Republican set up. Certainly you know that 95% of the insurgence are Iraqi, not Al-Quida. Yet, your reporter made it sound like this surge is all about chasing Al-Quida.

Awake. Why would you allow such fraud on our nation airwaves!

Brian,

Love your evening news. Regarding immigration: If jobs is the main reason why our neighbors south of the border are trying to come here, why doesn't the U.S. create jobs in Mexico ? Expanding American and Mexican businesses would be a lot cheaper than the 2 billion dollars a year on the "wall" and our image might be impproved in the process.

Thanks, Tony Lalli

wow.....good stuff

Chris Kiernan was my cousin and I just wanted to drop a line to say thank you for doing tribute to him and Donna. I thought the piece was well done with no spin.

She is an especially strong woman for the way she handled herself.

Sincerely,
Chris

Hello Brian:
I enjoy watching NBC News and especially tonight as you were down on the banks of the Trinity River with the Fort Worth skyline in the background. Your were in my hometown. I was born here almost 71 years ago.
We have a great city, a great mayor and a wonderful supportive community. I have loved making my home in Fort Worth for the last 39 years. I have served the FW public schools and children as teacher, administrator and finally school district superintendent. My wife and I are retired educators now and would not consider any place else for a home.
Your coverage of the Gold Star widow was very moving and heart breaking. I wept as I listened to her speaking.
Paul Potts another great story.
I hope to be able to watch NBC news for many more years.
Kindest regards,
JOE P. ROSS

Good Evening Mr.Williams, The report by Mr.Maceda only proves how deadly the troop surge is going to be. It is always heartbreaking to hear about the constant losses of our US Military. Although they may be making some progress I only can hope that someday this will come to a peaceful end. Hearing from the Army widow Donna Kiernan brings it all into perspective about how tragic it is to lose a beloved husband. I was touched by her words and the necklace she was wearing with the wedding ring and other momentos of her husband's. I totally agree with her that the politicians should embed themselves with the troops and really find out what it is like day to day. NBC has done a remarkable job at covering the troops. And of course Richard Engel has certainly reported many times while embedded with the troops and always done a suberb job. Those politicians would really have their eyes opened. I realize some are war veterans,but there are some who would benefit from the experience. When she pointed out the gold star pin on her lapel and she said that is a symbol of a fallen soldier it was also was very heartbreaking. And finally the voice of Paul Potts, what a wonderful voice! Keep safe all in the Middle East. Thank you Mr.Williams. Safe travels back to New York! Peace to all!

I just watched your interview with Donna Keirnan. My condolences to her, but also my applause to her as to how she is dealing with her tragedy. I agree with her concept of the politicians being imbedded with the troops to get a first hand idea of what the soldiers go through on a dialy basis. Thank you for your strength and being strong to tell your story. With appreciation. Bob W

Regarding the gold star on people's lapels who've lost someone in the war: Maybe we, who have been speaking out against Bush and his illegal presidency and greed ridden administration, should wear a pin on our lapels to show that we voted against him from the beginning! We tried to keep those who "earned" the gold stars alive in the first place! I'm so sick of being expected to keep quiet out of fear that I'll be branded "unpatriotic" or unfeeling to those who've died, when I've been the one arguing to bring them home from this immoral war. Love is as love does!

Brian and Crew,

Firstly, so nice to see you all involved and reporting from locations where news is affecting the american people. Brian, I loved your personal and touching interview with Donna. Please never forget reporting on the loved ones who remind us everyday we are at war. All the best to you and the crew for a safe flight home. P.s.-eat something :)