A Soldier's Last Letter From Afghanistan

(CBS)  Army General David Petraeus recently ordered a new investigation into a firefight in Wanat, Afghanistan that claimed the lives of nine American soldiers after on July 13, 2008. More than two dozen soldiers were also wounded during the battle.

Cpl. Jason Bogar was among those killed that day.

Jason Bogar was the youngest of Carlene Cross's three children. As an only boy with two older sisters, Carlene says he kept them all on their toes, growing up in Seattle. She described her son as "a great, fun-loving guy." An avid soccer player and artist, he planned on enrolling in art school when he got home from Afghanistan.

Jason originally joined the Washington National Guard following high school. After a tour in Iraq, Jason re-enlisted as active duty Army Infantry. He was on his second tour in Afghanistan when he was killed.

Carlene says her son believed in what he was doing. He was "always reaching out to the people and the children," of Afghanistan. She says he constantly volunteered for any humanitarian missions, and he would often try to connect with the children during his time overseas.

Carlene sent CBS News three entries from a journal that Jason kept, and a last letter home. They were on his computer titled, "Afghanistan OEF (Operation Enduring Freedom) VIII '07-'08," and "TO MY FAMILY."

(Click here to read Cpl. Bogar's journal entries and last letter.)

In an entry dated December 15, 2007, Jason wrote that he's in "a little Forward Operating Base called Bella." He's an Assistant Gunner in the weapons squad. He remarks on the size of the mountains surrounding the camp, and laments the extra rounds of ammunition he's carrying around now. "It's not easy humping these mountains," he wrote.

Coming up on the "CBS Evening News":
Afghanistan: The Road Ahead, a 3-part, in-depth examination of the escalating conflict, airing Oct. 5-7, 6:30 p.m. ET. The program will include National Security Correspondent David Martin's report on the battle in Wanat.

CBSNews.com Special Report: Afghanistan

The situation at Bella was dangerous. Jason's unit was in around 10 to 15 firefights, and his platoon sergeant, SPC Matthew R. Kahler, was killed. "He was shot in the head by supposedly allies that were manning one of the Observation Posts," Jason wrote.

In a journal entry dated June 21, 2008, Jason wrote, "Patrols have been slowing down but on the third our Platoon is going to Wanat. It's a little village in-between where I am now and where I was for the first 6 months."

He added that intelligence indicated that the Taliban had built up fighting positions in Wanat and were laying in wait. "I think that we will see some pretty heavy fighting while we are out there."

Jason also wrote in which he wrote about feeling that his "days are numbered," and that "death is all around me."

He wrote that his views and outlook on life seem to be "drastically changing." "Never have I felt as strong as I do about what I am doing here in Afghanistan is the right thing to be doing and is understood and accepted by (sic) god."

He hoped that "one day there will be more Americans knowledgeable on the situation with terrorism in Afghanistan."

"You are the reason I am here, and to give my life for that is nothing to me," he wrote to his family.

At the time he wrote the letter, Jason's sister Carise was pregnant, and the sex of the baby was not yet known.

Jason's last line said, "Carise, let your child know of me and that even though I was never able to see he/she grow I love them more than they could imagine."

Six weeks after Jason was killed, his sister Carise gave birth to a son, Isaac Jason.



By CBS News producer Clifden Kennedy

[CrystalUSMCwife]

OORAH Brian and other supporters of this this country. ( aka true Americans)! I don't understand these people. We are there for Bush's gain??? Are you kidding?! People, have you forgotten 9/11? I know 8 years is a long time for those tiny brains of yours to remember something so large. I'll give you a small refresher: On Sept. 11th 2001 terrorists (yes the same terrorists we are fighting in Afgan.) decided to fly our own planes into the world trade centers and pentagon. They attempted to fly another into the White House but brave American Heroes (unlike yourselves) fought them and prevented them from doing so. Almost 4000 innocent lives were lost that day. Were the American people supposed to sit back and allow this to go unpunished? I say H*LL NO! If we don't fight to end terrorism it will only continue to grow and have an even larger chance at having another 9/11 style attack. How would you feel if this time it was your child or mother or father who's life was taken by a terrorist (the same terrorists we are fighting in Afgan.)? We are NOT fighting for Bush or any economic stimulus etc. you f`ing idiots! We are fighting to keep our freedom mine and unfortunetly yours. My husband and many other brave men and women are fighting to keep your freedom, safety, amd peace of mind even though you by far don't deserve their dedication and sacrifice. I hate this war as much as anyone else. I want our service members home probably even more than you since I have many friends fighting at this very moment. But I also understand that this war is necessary to preserve our freedom in this wonderful country. So the next time, before you speak maybe you should get your facts straight. - So to Jason and all Service Members and their families, I wish had stronger words because Thank You just doesn't seem strong enough. You are all forever in my prayers. Semper Fi.

[krmopilci]

a suggestion:how about volunteering to help one wounded vet or maybe taking one homeless vet off the streets?talking is for free,do something real

[CrystalUSMCwife]

First of all... how did that have anything to do with what I said? And second of all... you ask any wounded vet homeless or other wise and I guarentee you 99% of the time they will tell you the best way to help them is to support your service members. And are you kidding?! I am not only talking but also doing the most positive thing for this country, I am supporting my husband and all service members. Men and women who are protecting our freedom and safety from people who's sole purpose is to terrorise this country and all others who do not agree with their extreme religion. How more "real" can you get? And by the way "talking is for free" BECAUSE OF OUR SERVICE MEN AND WOMEN! Thanks to them we have that freedom. And the other, in my opinion anti-Americans, on this page wouldn't even be able to write or even think the things they do with out that freedom. They should thank their service members that they are not considered "traitors" by our government and hung for all to see.

[wwudiver]

How do you spell hero? B-O-G-A-R. You can keep your comments to the facts, he went to wart o protect you, rather you believed in it or not. He stood his ground and fought for his buddies well honoring the fallen of his enemy. He took the time to tell the story, far before this letter. He loved you, even though mock his death by calling him "cannon fodder." He did what his critics could not do on an "expedition" everyday.

When you can care about someone who wants to kill you, do your duty, march hundreds of miles with heavy load and be ready to give your life for others, I will value your commentary.

[bubbadubba]

Bring our troops home, declare a war zone between the borders of Pakistan and Afghanistan, and carpet bomb anything that tries to move in that zone.
Putting US troops in remote outposts with no real time air support to be overrun over an over again and killed? Is this a sick joke?
"Boots on the ground" means American blood on the ground.
We need to quit thinking like this is some 1700's war in Europe.
If we are not willing to use our air power to fight our enemies than do away with it and reduce my taxes.

[bubbadubba]

I don't see anyone trashing our brave soldiers and marines, all I see is people trashing the lying money grubbing puppets that started the war in the first place.
So please stop with the " you people hate our military " when people criticize the needless deaths of our soldiers.You bore me.

[CrystalUSMCwife]

Wow, so the "lying money grubbing puppets" flew our planes into our buildings killing thousands of people? I guess I miss understood the news on 9/11. Thank you for clarifying who "really" started this war.

[noloyalisti]

Bring them home now. Before we lose even more.

[krmopilci]

Noloyalisti,if by grace of god most Americans were like you,you have no idea how much the rest of the world would embrace America.How much more would America earn by exporting technology,all kinds of products from knowledge to just simple manufacture.This way everyone is just thinking how to "neuter" the pit bull.Those guys who claim to support the millitary are actually supporting dying of these young men and women,destruction and wasting of treasures.All intelectuals in Europe are so much anti-war,I am surprised that American intelectuals shut up.

[faceofus]

I hope Obama has read Jason's letters while he waffles on what's best for him politically as our young soldiers are dying.

[noloyalisti]

He needs to go completely against the white wing war mongers in the military. They are on a Christian Crusade at the behest of the big American corporations for profit.

This is a tragic, unnecessary quagmire and the LAST thing we need is to put more Jasons in harms way.

[bubbadubba]

Of course this letter was posted to make the so called news story fair and balanced:

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton:

"Afghan people were attacking us, even though our politicians said we were going in to help them. It came as a real shock. We kept asking ourselves, why are they doing this? That?s when I became aware that there was something seriously wrong with the war.

Initially we were told that we were in Afghanistan to put an end to the opium crop. Then we were told that it was to rebuild infrastructure. Then it was about bringing democracy ? but none of this really seems to have happened.

Maybe there was an initial plan, but it kind of snowballed. By the end of my tour it was attrition and war fighting. "

[bcincada]

"Army General David Petraeus recently ordered a new investigation into a firefight in Wanat, Afghanistan that claimed the lives of nine American soldiers after an estimated 200 Taliban fighters overran the remote outpost on July 13, 2008." Okay ... but WHY? This part of the story is missing.

[noloyalisti]

We have no business occupying another country. We cannot win an occupation. It is only the ignorant leaders of the military and the corporations who own them, who will keep us there.

[ajchasteens]

BrianB
Are you serious with all your nonsense? It is because of our brave soldiers that you are even able to talk the trash and lies about our military. I'm sure any soldier who has read your comments wishes they could pluck you out of the US and drop you smack dab in the middle of a firefight in Afghanistan. Then perhaps, if you made it out, you would retract all idiotic statements and keep your mouth shut! Do you ever read what you type by the way, because if you did then maybe you too would see that you come across as an enemy of the US! Just move to Afghanistan already!!

[noloyalisti]

That is an ignorant right wing bullet point. The Constitution and Bill of Rights protects our freedoms with We the People as the vanguard.

Unfortunately for the last 150 years at least the military protects the greedy rich American corporations interests. And neither the corporations or the government and military they own give a darn who lives and who dies.

[brianbwb-2009]

You war mongers can whine all day about what I said, but still you avoid the truth that there wouldn't be any firefights there to be involved in, had Bush not lied for his own enrichment.

If you want to die so that Bush can have his pipeline, go for it, you won't be missed. In fact you may be laughed at by people less polite than I.

I have more self-esteem than you, Bush's bank account is not worth my life, or any life for that matter, and those willing to give their lives for his personal enrichment are suckers if they think making Bush rich is defending this country.

Enemy of the US?

Son, I AM the US, a natural born citizen who claims the right as a citizen to say whatever I wish, and take all legal actions within my power, with the goal that our soldiers be brought back from this lie-based debacle, and those who sent them there be held responsible for their treasons and crimes against humanity.

In fact, it is people like yourself, who want our soldiers to continue to kill and die for nothing, that are America's true enemy.

Gon't like what I say? don't read it then, or has this simple logic never occurred to you?

[noloyalisti]

Health care, not warfare. Schools, not warfare. Jobs, not warfare.

[armywife199]

Health care can be done now by taking responsibility for your own actions regarding your own health Can't have healthcare if you don't protect our borders How long can you take care of yourself if Mosks are telling Islamists to attack nonbelievers as they did at Ft Hood? Schools where? Afghanistan? Won't do any good if Taliban are killing girls and others who attend. Jobs are made when taxes are lowered and enterpuenors are not punished for pursuing private ventures. Again, only happens when people are free by diligent national, local police and standing army, navy, marines, airforce, and coasties defend constitution from those who seek to shred it. Those fights take place in side the national borders and outside.