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“Company of Heroes” Airs Tonight On FNC

FNC debutes a two-hours special tonight called “Company of Heroes.” Airing at 9 p.m ET, the show centers around the Battle of Fallujah, but in a way never explored by other media outlets. It delves into the belief, hopes, fears and heroism of these brave soldiers and their families. It is — in the truest sense of the word — “reality TV”.” It simply does not get any more real.

As you may know, Greg Palkot of FNC was embedded with the soldiers that fought for Fallujah. After his story aired, “Breaking Point: The Battle of Fallujah,” he decided to go back, follow up and do an in-depth story on these troops and their families. From all accounts, the story will engage you regardless of which side of the war you lean.

There’s this other huge part of the war you rarely get to see, but a part that’s just as, if not more so, important. It’s the huge hunk of personal struggle that goes along with that fighting. Kind of like an iceberg with the soldiering above the water’s surface and all the emotions and feelings below.

I’m referring to the husbands and wives, mothers and fathers, family and friends of servicemen and women who are waiting at home, hoping their loved ones make it through their tour of duty. When the troops come home they help them to live with sometimes horrific memories, sometimes horrific injuries, or, worse than that, these families have to live with terrible, final losses.

That’s why when I was presented with the idea of doing a two-hour follow-up to the program we’d done on last fall’s battle for Fallujah, including a lot of new material about the combat but also focusing on the families involved and the aftermath for all, I thought it was great. — Greg Palkot, FNC

This week, we’ve heard much about a parent’s loss and pain in the story of Cindy Sheehan — the military mom protesting outside Bush’s Crawford, Texas ranch. While controversy surrounds her quest, everyone must acknowledge her sacrifice. She is not alone, though. While she certainly may express her opinion in this fine country of ours, I oppose her request for special treatment from the President. Her loss and her views are no more or less important than the families of every other soldier lost in Iraq. Her loss should demand no more or less attention by the media than that of those families supporting the efforts in Iraq. After all, when have you heard a week of news stories surrounding a parent who, through his or her grief, still supported our country’s actions?

If advance information is correct on “Company of Heroes,” we will see families react to the loss of their loved ones in the Battle of Fallujah. Their stories are interspersed with scenes from the offensive. According to Palkot, not all these reactions favor the Iraq incursion. The special will also show follow up segments — what they are doing/how they feel now.

So, tape it; TiVo it, or watch it live. It should prove to be engrossing, informative and “fair and balanced.” Then, come back to the Dog’s House and tell us what you think.

(The show will be rebroadcast at 12 a.m. ET)