I cannot sit back and let this good reporter be dragged through the mud.
For the past six months, Lee has spent his time with the soldiers of the 278th. He spent time with them both in Mississippi and California. He has lived and breathed with these guys for a long time, and was thrilled to have the chance to go with them, in order to send their stories back here to the Tennessee Valley. He has the utmost respect for these soldiers, and was honored to be able to document what they would be doing. His primary intention was to keep those of us left behind current with what they were doing in Iraq.
As the wife of a 278th soldier, Lee's articles have been the highlight of
many of my days. Since they've been in Iraq, I have learned more about what they're doing from his writing than I have from my husband, due to security.
The up-armorment of these vehicles has been what these guys have been
dealing with for the past three weeks. Lee reported on it several weeks ago. When he saw the chance to possibly get more attention brought to this subject, he did what he could to get it noticed.
It's disgraceful in my opinion, that his email has been taken so out of
context. It was simply an excited report to family and friends about his
day. He had been involved with one of his guys getting the chance to
question our Secretary of Defense, and this was something about which to
write home. He wasn't looking for praise, he was thrilled that this issue was finally getting such wide exposure.
Lee Pitts is doing a great job, and deserves enormous credit for the reports he has already filed, the loyalty and care he has shown to us family members, and his bravery for volunteering for a dangerous job.
Jenny Gienapp
gienapps@bellsouth.net