Martha Raddatz and Eric Bourquin here to discuss the new Iraq War feature: ‘The Long Road Home’ on Nat Geo. What questions do you have?

Martha Raddatz — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 13:51:28 -0400

*RP Staff will be monitoring this conversation*

MARTHA RADDATZ
Martha Raddatz is chief global affairs correspondent at ABC News and co-anchor of “This Week With George Stephanopoulos.” She has covered national security, foreign policy and politics for decades, reporting from the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House and conflict zones around the world. Raddatz is the author of “The Long Road Home—A Story of War and Family,” a highly acclaimed book about a battle in Iraq, which made both The New York Times and The Washington Post best-seller lists. The Washington Post described the work as "a masterpiece of literary non-fiction that rivals any war-related classic that has preceded it." She is also on the board of the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which supports wounded veterans and their families.

ERIC BOURQUIN
Eric Bourquin is a production consultant and a U.S. Army veteran that was Involved in the April 4, 2004 battle. Born in Dallas, he was raised all over central Texas. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in College Station, Texas, in winter 1998 and went on to train as an infantryman while completing basic training and advanced individual training at Fort Benning, Georgia. Arriving at Fort Hood, Texas, in April 2001, Bourquin went on to serve in the 1st Cavalry Division and 1st Infantry Division in various leadership positions and completed three Army combat deployments in support of the global war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq. After medically retiring in 2013 with 15 years of service, Bourquin has spent his time focusing on his wife, Leslie, and his children — healing, helping others and enjoying new experiences.

About “The Long Road Home”
From Academy Award-nominated executive producer Mike Medavoy and based on The New York Times best-selling book Martha Raddatz, National Geographic’s "The Long Road Home" relives a heroic fight for survival during the Iraq War, when the 1st Cavalry Division from Fort Hood was ferociously ambushed on April 4, 2004, in Sadr City, Baghdad — a day that came to be known as “Black Sunday.” The series cuts between the action on the ground in Iraq and that of the homefront back in Texas, where wives and families await news for 48 hellish hours, expecting the worst. Starring Michael Kelly, Jason Ritter, Kate Bosworth, Sarah Wayne Callies, Noel Fisher and Jeremy Sisto, the eight-part miniseries premieres Tuesday, November 7th at 9/8C on National Geographic.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 1:58 PM

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 13:58:11 -0400

Thanks for posting this MS. Radatz.

Response by SGT David T. made Oct 26 at 2017 2:35 PM

SGT David T. — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:35:22 -0400

I am not sure I will be able to watch it. Despite my best efforts to the contrary, I remember the April uprising quite vividly. That was a really bad time to be in Iraq. I hope it is done in good taste and not a glorification of the violence.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 26 at 2017 2:35 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:35:27 -0400

Due to all your time in country reporting on military affairs would you or did you ever consider the military as a career - why or why not? As well can you elaborate on the F-15 combat missions?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Oct 26 at 2017 2:43 PM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 14:43:21 -0400

No questions to ask you, just wanted to thank you for all the great work you have done on film.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Oct 26 at 2017 4:53 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 16:53:00 -0400

Martha Raddatz: THANK YOU FOR HONORING US WITH YOUR PRESENCE, MS.RADDATZ!
I don't have any questions per se; however, IT'S A GREAT HONOR TO HAVE YOU WITH US!
-Most Sincerely, Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 6:56 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 18:56:08 -0400

*RP Staff will be monitoring this conversation*

For what purpose, RP? What could possibly cause you to make such a statement?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 26 at 2017 8:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 20:38:33 -0400

How does the typical liberal leanings of the entertainment & news industry interfere with your ability to deliver a worthy, truthful, accurate, and compelling story about military life and the associated sacrifices by veterans and their families?

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 26 at 2017 11:30 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 23:30:19 -0400

So question to Martha Raddatz. As a reporter, what is the queue you personally use as feedback that your pushing too hard or too far with the questions? There have been instances in the past on TV where I have seen the reporter not give any space or know when to back off a bit from the questioning.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Oct 26 at 2017 11:38 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 26 Oct 2017 23:38:28 -0400

Question for Eric Bourquin. I served during the Reagan era and enlisted from my home state of Wisconsin. I am curious if you got STOP LOSSED at all and if you did, did that play into your decision to stay in the Army at all?

Response by PFC Lisa McDonald made Oct 27 at 2017 4:34 AM

PFC Lisa McDonald — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 04:34:11 -0400

Thanks for taking the time yo be here! No questions for you.

Response by SGT Daniel Vieira made Oct 29 at 2017 5:21 AM

SGT Daniel Vieira — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 05:21:58 -0400

This question is to Ms. Raddatz, how many people from 1st Squadron, 2d ACR did you interview?

Response by Martha Raddatz made Nov 2 at 2017 3:01 PM

Martha Raddatz — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:01:23 -0400

hi everyone. any questions for me or Eric?

Response by Martha Raddatz made Nov 2 at 2017 3:25 PM

Martha Raddatz — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:25:04 -0400

Hey everyone. While we wait for more questions, I just want to put a plug in for "The Long Road Home." It is such a powerful series, and so realistic. It is tough to watch but you will be stunned by its realism. The producers and the cast have taken great care in bringing this to the screen. And NatGeochannel has made an enormous investment of talent and time to bring this story to the world. I know it sounds trite to say "Must See TV" but you will truly be missing out if you don't watch all eight parts---AND the documentary that I did on the "real" soldiers and families that will air right after part 8 on December 19th---that is called "The Heroes of the Long Road Home" (and Eric Bourquin is among them---he would be too modest to tell you that himself)

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Nov 2 at 2017 3:46 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 02 Nov 2017 15:46:27 -0400

Ms. Raddatz, Over the years since the gulf war I have seen embedded reporters in many units do you think their closeness to the troops jeopardizes the safety of the unit itself or
it's members when they are being interviewed or shadowed in a war zone? I was thinking specifically of Bob Woodruff who was critically wounded himself suffering brain trauma when his vehicle hit an IED. I remember others in that vehicle that suffered similar injuries and wondered if the celebrity of a reporter along for the ride put our troops in danger unnecessarily. What are your thoughts on this?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2017 12:13 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Nov 2017 00:13:24 -0500

So, why not a single mention of 1st Squadron 2ACR? You know, the people who had to go into Sadr City and rescue their asses after they didn’t listen to a single thing we told them?

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 13 at 2017 2:46 PM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 13 Nov 2017 14:46:30 -0500

OK, so after the first three segments, am I understanding that the Brigade deployed without it's tanks and most of it's Bradley's and other Armored Vehicles? Then the relieved unit had turned in the ammo for the main guns of their tanks? Didn't we learn anything in Mogadishu? Fighting in unarmored HUMVEE's is pretty suicidal. Do you know why they chose not to patrol in the Bradley's or was that directed to keep a low profile?

Response by HN Kathleen M Peck made Dec 20 at 2017 9:23 PM

HN Kathleen M Peck — Wed, 20 Dec 2017 21:23:45 -0500

Eric I saw you last night (12/19) on “The Long Road Home”, talking and visiting with Martha Raddatz. I was again impressed with you and your determination to focus on healing, family and helping your fellow brothers. I wish you the very best in all you do. You are among the best of the best! Thank you brother!