A letter from Lt. Col Fanning about embedded reporter Dave Tobin

-----Original Message-----
From: Fanning, Paul A CIV USA NGB

Sent: 5/20/2009 9:29 AM

John:

There were at least two photographers that I am sure have the right shot and I will track them down and get back ASAP. I was the narrator for the ceremony and wasn't taking the shots myself otherwise you would have them now.

As for the award, we have complete professional respect for Dave and the Post Standard and as an organization wanted to and felt compelled to express it. More over, our sentiments were shared and driven by the feedback from our military families, veterans groups and from those in the community who reached out to us after reading Dave's reports. This is our way of saluting him and his special contribution to the community.

Dave and the paper had a tremendous impact because of what was reported and the way in which it was done. Dave earned -- won the trust of everyone back home and in the combat zone. His reporting was independent, accurate and comprehensive. He was not a guy who stayed at the base. He went out nearly everyday on convoys to get his stories and he went "down range" to remote sites as well. he shared the same risks as the soldiers who went "outside the wire" on a daily basis.

He never missed an opportunity, didn't waste any time and I only saw his stories and photos when they were posted on line at the paper's website. I also say his reporting was compelling due to the feedback that came our way. Bottom line -- he was on target.

I know a lot of us who are saying "if you want to know what it was really like for us in Afghanistan go to the Post Standard's website Following Orion and read Dave Tobin's reports."

I do hope that the paper's Central New York readers appreciate Dave's work and the paper's commitment to the story of our deployment and mission. We believe it was a very important story that needed to be told and he did tell it -- extremely well, THE BEST. We appreciate that all newspapers are under incredible pressure today but are grateful on behalf of the community that Dave and the Post Standard went above and beyond in its mission to serve them.

I also mentioned to Dave that I am actively seeking opportunities to engage with academia and news organizations about war coverage and the Army's embedded media program and NY's experience in particular. I think Dave has an important story to tell on his own about his role and that of the Post Standard's.

I will try and get photos to you ASAP.