One of the most amazing and inspiring aspects of making this film has been the feedback, ‘real reviews’ and gratitude offered by those who have seen the film. We’ve been told over and over, by vets, active duty soldiers, military families and others that we have captured the reality of the experience of being on the front lines as well as on the home front. It’s truly gratifying to know that what we are doing is important and helping people. We wanted to share with you an exchange Jake had recently with SSgt Dave Cox. It captures quite a bit.
My name is SSgt Dave Cox. I watched Brothers at War last night. Great job.
Thank you for doing this project. I totally understand why you felt you had to go and see first hand what your brothers were doing. My father is a retired Marine and a Vietnam veteran, myself and my brother Robert both followed and joined the Marine Corps. I am still currently on active duty, my brother did a 4 year enlistment and got out. He still resides in Jacksonville NC and is a big supporter of the Military. I am currently stationed in Quantico VA. Maybe now some of the nay-sayers who apposed the War On Terror will have a little more insight into what went on in country.
I have done 2 tours in Iraq with 3rd Bn. 2nd Marines. I arrived in Habbaniyah in July of 2006 right after CWO4 Kineston left. I actually worked with the very same Iraqi Army Soldiers that were in your movie. It was great to see them again. Once again great job and thank you for doing this.
SSgt C. David Cox
After Jake wrote him, he wrote back:
Since watching your movie I have told everyone I work with about it and all of my family as well. I just got back from visiting my Mother in Washington State, she had a hard time understanding what went on in Iraq and watching Brothers at War with her really helped her have a better understanding of why it was important to me to be a part of it.
I would be honored if you quoted me on my reaction to your movie.
Thanks again for your support, of all us little guys who don’t always have a voice.
Thank you Dave for your service and for expressing how you feel about Brothers at War!
I just wanted to say SSGT Scott thank you so much for your service to our country. As an investor in the movie I feel privileged to have had a part in the making of this film. I knew from the beginning that the film would be a help for our country to understand the war. Your testimony of how it helped your Mother is why I am involved and so proud of the film. Continue to tell everyone about the film – everyone needs to see it to have an understanding of the reality of what has and is happening in Iraq.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Brothers At War Team and Victoria Clevinger, Maggie Goff. Maggie Goff said: RT @BrothersAtWar: "Chewing the Same Dirt." A letter from a 'real critic,' SSgt David Cox. New post on our blog. http://ow.ly/Zx1t [...]
I just want to say thanks for taking the time to make this movie. I was in your brothers unit from 2003 until 2005 and it felt good to see my old friends again and let people that are civilians understand for themselves the stresses of the job. I’ve thought about those guys everyday for the last four years they were all my brothers, and I pray for them everyday in their continued missions to defend the constitution and fellow mankind. F CO 51st INF will forever be burned into my heart and again thanks for this movie! SPC Jason Bochenek F Co 51st INF commo.
JAKE:
I was blown away by your movie. I was medically retired from 519th MI BN, (ABN), 525 MI BDE, XVIII ABN CORPS after being blown up in the Persian Gulf. I SINCERELY BELLIEVE PART II of you movie NEEDS TO BE the other half of the story: “This is what happens when you come HOME!” You have no idea how blessed you are to have family like yours. My wife took off with my son’s baseball coach when I was in Walter Reed ICU in a body cast, wheelchair, and learning to walk again. Fractured spine, medical malpractice, and a host of collateral damage. The bumper stickers don’t come close…. “Freedom isn’t free”. The American people don’t have the stomach for the reality of the cost.
PLEASE do what no one else has done, AGAIN! ((Your movie of Brotheres at War was the first movie no one ever did, now it’s time to do it again… the rest of the story!)) THANK YOU so very much. It was close to home watching LRS guys after being the “controlling authority” that put them in harms way for so many years. I was the Collection Manager at both 82nd G2 and Corps level. I am not the only one that came home to find family gone. My “brother” hates me now. My family rejected me, and I had to learn what was important all over again. BOTH my two boys are now ACTIVE DUTY, one is at Bragg, the other Korea after three tours each. I can’t tell you how much that story needed to be told. THANK YOU!
Steven M. Kuryla
CWO(R), USA
Spec Ops Intelligence
By the way, you can come sit at MY table ANY TIME! AIRBORNE!
This is my first time i visit here. I found so many entertaining stuff in your blog, especially its discussion. From the tons of comments on your articles, I guess I am not the only one having all the enjoyment here! Keep up the good work.