Please post any comments for Fred Dodd here

[jenjie]

Patty (Twinmom7) has been sharing daily updates on her Bobby's Marine unit, via the South Bend Tribune's Fred Dodd. I know these articles have been encouraging and sometimes inspiring to many of us here at the DIS. Patty mentioned that Fred is on his way home. I thought it might be a nice idea for us to let him know that others outside the Tribune's area of circulation have been touched by his writing. I think he'll be pleasantly surprised to find that people all over the country have been looking forward to reading his column each day.

If you'd like to share a message for Fred, or even just give yor name (screenname or first name & last initial, whatever you prefer I guess) and location, please use this thread to do so. Patty will print them out to share with Fred.

 

[debster812]

This is a GREAT idea!

Mr. Dodd,

I post on a Disney internet site, and have really enjoyed (maybe enjoyed is not the right word) your 'Desert Dispatches' that one of the Company B Marine's mom's has been sharing with us. You have really helped 'personalize' this war for those of us not personally and directly affected. I truly appreciate the sacrifice you made to go to the Middle East with these young men, and I am glad you are heading home soon.

Thank you so much for taking this time out of your life to share these experiences with all of us (South Bend, and beyond. FYI I live in Massachusetts)

I hope your transition back to civilian life is a smooth one, and best of luck to you and your wife on the birth of your child.

Thanks so much, and best wishes to you,

Debbie
East Bridgewater, MA

 

[jenjie]

Fred,

Thank you so much for your daily articles from the war zone. Many people have been eagerly awaiting the news each day, for a personal glimpse into the days of the South Bend Marines. I'm sure you were aware that you were a source of encouragement to many military families. But did you know that your articles have reached across the country to many folks who had never even heard of South Bend, Indiana?

I personally have been encouraged by your writing. It has helped to keep the war on a personal level for me. Your articles helped serve as a reminder to me to think of our military men and women, to pray for them daily. After I sent care packages to a different soldier, it was encouraging to read about the enjoyment that the South Bend Marines received from their own care packages. It gave me some insight into how the packages I sent could brighten the day of"my" soldier.

We are thankful for you and for your lovely wife, for her willingness to let you go so far away for so long. You have performed a great service to the Marines and those who care about them. May God bless you and your family.

~Jen M, Williamstown, NJ

 

[jamsmom]

You have been such a blessing to the families of the soldiers with whom you were embedded. Thank you for caring and being there.

I hear that you will have a little one of your own soon. Congratulations.

 

[cgcw]

Dear Mr. Dodd:

I have followed your article, ‘Desert Dispatch’, on a daily basis. Your written words made this war very real to me. I learned of your articles by way of a message board which Bobby Knight’s mom posts on.

I shared a lot of your articles with my 8-year-old son who now refers to Bobby Knight as a member of our family. Although my son has never met Bobby and most likely never will, your articles have helped my son be able to envision Bobby as a “real” person. My son took information you wrote about and passed it along to his friends. The boys couldn’t wait to get together to hear about “Bobby” and his “Marine friends”. There has been several times when they have hovered over my shoulder looking at the pictures in your articles. I never would have been able to provide them with a first hand account of the war without you passing it along to us, your readers.

A great sacrifice was made when you and your wife decided you would travel with Company B. Both of you must have felt very strongly about your decision especially with the upcoming birth of your child. Your dedication to your profession has touched us very deeply. A simple thank you doesn’t seem to suffice when I put it into words, but that’s really all that I have to offer.

God Bless you and your family.

Cindy
Schaumburg, IL

 

[TinkHappy]

Dear Mr. Dodd ~ Thank you so much for your articles portraying our military men and women. I have read your articles here on the "Dis" along with other fellow "Disers" and you have a wonderful way about you. It was very obvious to me that you cared very much for our military servicemen/women...Thank you!!!! God Bless You!!!

 

[Keli]

Dear Mr. Dodd,
Your reports really helped us DIS members keep up with Bobby Knight and his unit. They also helped us look at the war from the soldier's perspective which is something that we haven't ever been able to do. Situations are a lot more complicated from that angle (the enemy isn't necessarily wearing a uniform or even an adult) but the goal was much more well defined. Survive, and keep your buddy next to you alive as well. Political negotiations don't even enter into the equation from this point of view. You articles helped enhance my support of the troops and gave me a clearer view of the things they were going through as well as the things the Iraqis they came in contact with were enduring. Thank you for the sacrifices you made and the reports you wrote.
Sincerely,
Keli

 

[mousefan]

Hello from SW Pa. and Welcome Home!!!!!
Wanted to thank you so much for a wonderful job you did keeping us updated as you possibly could with your news articles and great photos while you were embedded with the South Bend Marines.
Each morning many of us involved here on the DIS ran to the computer first thing to read your updates on where and what our "adopted Marines" were up to. As said before , you were aware that you were a source of encouragement / information to the family members of the South Bend Marines. But amazingly you were followed by many of us " adopted cyber aunts and uncles" from all over the USA.
Your words brought so much to the families ( immediate and adopted ) of the Marines you were with. And with the mail being as it was/ is , you were our life line to our Marines. Many of us here on the DIS do not know any of the South Bend Marines personally , nor probably will we ever meet them. It was an honor to be able to support them even if it was in just a small way of sending letters and goodies, but most of all our prayers for a speedy and safe return home. And we will continue till they all " come home"
The news reports you wrote of the Marines enjoying the "Care Packages" brought smiles to our faces , knowing that even if it was just a small effort on our part compared to the effort they were giving , we were able to brighten their day(s) up even if for just a short while.
A big thank you must also be sent to your loving, and very understanding wife. Her willingless to share you and let you go so far away, for such an unknown length of time especially after finding out of your upcoming addition to your family shows how much she loves you, and understands your love of your profession and your dedication to the Marine corp is very visible.
THANK YOU just doesn't seem to say enough for the great effort that you gave for the Marines of South Bend. Best wishes on your return to your home, job and many years of happiness to you and your family.... you will always be welcome here on the DIS, as you too have been adopted into our cyber family. Hope you will take the time to stop in on the board to say hello....
God Bless YOU!!!!!!!!! Semper Fi
Barb

 

[WDWLVR]

Hope I'm not too late to add to this. I was away last week and didn't get on very much.

Mr. Dodd,

I too, was one of the many DIS'ers who eagerly read your dispatch each day. As one of Bobby Knights Cyber-aunts we were very interested to see what each day brought to the troops. Thank you so much for brining this to us each and every day.

It brought the war much closer to me and gave me an insight that I really appreciate.

I can only imagine how wonderful it was for the mothers and wives of those you served with.

I also understand that congratulations are in order for you and your wife. I'm sure this was a very hard time for her as well, please thank her for sharing you with all of us.

Blessings to you for taking on this assignment. Welcome home and may you soon be covering the home comings of the men you served with!

 

[wovenwonder]

Mr Dodd,
Thank you for taking time away from your family to spend with our 'boys' overseas. The daily articles that you wrote were enjoyed by many more people than you would have ever imagined! I bet you never thought I would be looking forward to your updates from Pennsylvania! I have adopted Bobby Knight as one of my 'adopted soldiers' and your articles helped to make me feel closer to him ---- though so far away!

Welcome Home --- and Thanks again!