Here's what some of the readers have been saying ...

On 24 October, Amy said ...

I have been following you and the Afro News for some time now,,,ever since stories started being done on the 298th...thanks! My love is where you are going. My fiance is with the 298th and I am always starving for any info. on the group and how they are doing. Every detail you write I will find interesting and very important. Be safe and tell all of them to do the same when you see them. I will be reading what you write probably nightly....they are a great group....especially one inparticular. :) Thanks for being there to tell their story.

On 24 October, Kim Shepherd from Tulsa, Okla. said ...

Heard the interview on Tom Joyner. Leonard, you are serving an important role. Be safe. Be truthful.

On 30 October, Malcolm said ...

Leonard + AFRO = awesome reporting. I love the coverage. The angles, and the the personal insights are great. I even like the timing. My first thought when I first came across the news that the AFRO was the first Black newspaper to send a reporter was well damn its been three years, why now? The cynicism quickly fizzled away though. I appreciate your effort to bring these stories to the forefront, even in its three year lap by the mainstream media. I think had a reporter from the Black press gone earlier, the stories that are being told now, wouldn't have had the time to develop. No one knew we were to be in Iraq three years... truthfully from what I gathered just by some of the dull and repetitive reporting I'm use to, I expect we'll be there at least another three years, if not more. The stories of Black soldiers coupled with the uncertainty of the effects of our effort, the questions about our being there in the first place and the general apathy developing across the country is a fine time for stories about the front line as only a member of the community can tell it.
Looking for more. Be safe. And leave some candy for the children!

On 5 November, govez@yahoo.com said ...

"For us, especially as Blacks, we're even more so at the front and under the microscope because they see us and they obviously expect something different."
Do Black soldiers feel more sensitive to the Iraqi people. I"m sure that its common for our military to, amongst it self, use derogatory terms to describe its enemies. I know, because I was in Vietnam and often heard White soldiers refer to the Vietnamese as Waps. Black soldiers at the time didn't do that... as much, because we knew of the struggle back home. Now that we've gained some "equality" I wonder if our brothers and sisters over in Iraq have conformed and start calling the Iraqis by other terms. I hope not.
Good story. Hopefully, I'll see better photos coming soon.
God Speed Leonard

On 9 November, Mrs. Harriet Avent said ...

I think you are doing a great job, interveiwing the troops and allowing them to speak to all of us. This article really touched home for me. My name is Mrs. Harriet Avent and have spoken on the phone in the past. Thank you so very much for the great jobs you did on my husband Sgt. Avents Story. That's my Jesse and I know those are his words. Tell my husband I say hello, God bless you, I'm very proud of him and I love him the story was great. And God bless you Mr. Sparks for a job well done. The pictures and the article made my day. I look forward to more of your impessive work.

On 14 November, Megan said ...

Thank you for sharing this story about my sister Christina. It's great to hear exactly what happened because the soilders have to be careful what they say to us so it's great to click on this website to see what our loved ones are going through over there. Thank you for taking time to keep us informed.

On 15 November, Veronica Lee-Green of Washington, D.C. says:...

I just want to thank you and the Afro for the great job you've done in covering the 298th these past months. Our community must know about the sacrifices these soldiers are making daily in Iraq. I was elated to see the story on my husband's trip home for Christmas. Our family is really excited and can't wait. Again thank you and may God Bless you. Have a safe trip home.

Thanks