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hallo We are Africans living in the middle east and we would like to extend our prayers to the family of the beautiful lady. Do not worry, the pain i know is tremendous, but the great thing is, she joins other great black people of her kind fighting for what is good and right. Somehow when i saw her picture she reminded me of strength, love and integrity. God bless you, g k m

-ngumsus

To johnson family,yes pray to God, but by no means should this mean be passive, You need to fight and seek nothing short of justice, Yes the military is a huge, and taking them on can seem overwhelming, but God gave David tremendous power and he took down Goliath,God gives us a voice and the promise that if we come to him with faith that the task at hand is possible, IT IS POSSIBLE! Trust in God and the signs he gives you he will FIGHT THIS BATTLE W.YOU RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE.

-kay

To the johnson family, Please do not let anyone or anything allow you to back down, There are too many of us tired of these type of injustices, Please try to get as much help as possible, Your daughters live is as important as Pat Tillman or all the natelee halloways of the world, call on the media to to draw attention to this atrocity, stop at nothing , too many of our lives and our childrens lives are extremely undervalued. There will be many ignorant, racist or terrified people who will not help, but the

-karen

My heart goes out to the Johnson Family. To suffer such a loss is unimaginable and heartbreaking. To suffer the loss of your beloved daughter and and not be presented with the facts of her death is unconscienable. I am ashamed of our government for the many deceitful lies they have told the American people about the war but this sickens me and weighs heavy on my heart. I believe your daughters loving spirit lives on and pray you can take some comfort there.

-Jan

if you think the "blue wall" is tough to penetrate, then my friends you haven't seen anything until you've encountered the "camoflauge wall" which is none other than the U S Government. Be prepared for obstacles, and dog and pony shows. dont be detered because you keep crashing into a wall. The answers lies within her comrades not the government. seek out the soldiers that are willing to discuss the issues, but by all means tread lightly on this. Good luck

-cathy

I have a sister whoh currently was discharged from the Air Force. We are African American and our parents are Nigerian and West Indian. My sister incountered racisim and was called many deragoratory names by her white counterparts. She also was subjectedto pulling weeds from the ground and not being allowed to perform her required job duty. My sister's complaints fell on deaf ears when she complained. In the end she never recieved her clearance. I Thank god she was eventually discharged and completed her term in the Air for

-michelle harris

To the family:Truly sorry about your loss.I am very happy to here the Johnson family will not let the army get away with this.I listen to a radio progam Dr Laura,One caller called in to ask Dr.Laura what she should do about being rape by five other soldier.She explain to the Dr. that she was discard because she report it to her commander.SO THING NEED TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS OUT OF CONTROL SOLDIER.It seem like a lot of these incedent keep popping up.SO PLASE PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE ARMY TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT NOW!!!

-MARILYN

You have my prayers of strength & encouragement to the Johnson family. They must be persistent as the late Pat Tillman family. It took CNN exposure & 3 investigations for the military to finally contribute his death to friendly fire. Friendly fire deathswere common in the military even during non war time. During the Vietnam War, many Friendly fire deaths were racially driven toward African American soldiers.

-Troops Supporters not the Bush Iraq Mess

To the family --I am so sorry for your hurt and pain. I too did time in the military and they are very good at making the soldiers seem at fault. They feel as though they own you and you have no voice. It's cold and somewhat barbaric their thought process concerning the soldiers families. I remember them telling my battle buddy that if they wanted her husband to have a wife they would have issued him one. In meaning, they don't care ,so put up and never complain. This is an example of their calculating ways. I pray in the n

-The Survivor , N.Y

To the family --I am so sorry for your hurt and pain. I too did time in the military and they are very good at making the soldiers seem at fault. They feel as though they own you and you have no voice. It's cold and somewhat barbaric their thought process concerning the soldiers families. I remember them telling my battle buddy that if they wanted her husband to have a wife they would have issued him one. In meaning, they don't care ,so put up and never complain. This is an example of their calculating ways. I pray in the n

-The Survivor, NY

To the family --I am so sorry for your hurt and pain. I too did time in the military and they are very good at making the soldiers seem at fault. They feel as though they own you and you have no voice. It's cold and somewhat barbaric their thought process concerning the soldiers families. I remember them telling my battle buddy that if they wanted her husband to have a wife they would have issued him one. In meaning, they don't care ,so put up and never complain. This is an example of their calculating ways. I pray in the n

-The Survivor, NY

Stories like this aren't uncommon, unfortunately, and I'm not at all suprised that we are just now hearing about it. The government is being investigated for numerous 'supsicous' deaths. Not just the deaths of Americans, but others also. What do we as average citizens do????

-mahogonee1

The family should follow their instincts. Usually when you smell fish frying, fish is frying.

-kiya67

My heart goes out to your family. It is really sad that people had to hear about this tragedy 2 years later. This story should had gotten national attention. I hope you guys get to the bottom of this and find out who is repsonsible for your daugther'sdeath and, I pray to god that they are punished to the fullest. May god bless you all!!

-JT, Omaha

I am very sorry for your family loss. I no LaVena was a special women, this is a tragic storry. I have been in the national guard for 4 years and i am about to go to Iraq. This bothers me so much i hope the family and friends commit to finding out the truth and getting it to the public because this sounds wrong.

-Etop

as usual it is an attempt to belittle people of color contributions to america.I remember when the war in Iraq first started how they made a national heroine out of the white girl that was captured and all kinds of honors and media coverage bestowed uponher but want to dishonor her and her family by saying she committed suicide, that"s BS in its purest form.I wish all black soldiers would lay their weapons down and refuse to fight any more if this is all the respect that they are due.

-lofton tucker

That's a shame how I have not heard of this in the media these pass years, But what can we say we as Color people are mostly exposed in the media when it comes to a matter of making us look less important then if this was a white woman not even a soliderto say we would then be in a mass search for clue and a driven media looking for piece to a puzzel. I pray that one day whoever is held responsible will pay just as worst then the family of a loving in well respected Solider. Will god be with you and allthat has share speci

-Chey / Tampa FL

i can't believe how this incident has not found its way to the mass media. my theory is they know about the story, they just chose not to share it. why is it that when people of color are the victims, we can never get any media exposure but all the blacksuspects/offenders can be found on the front of the paper or at the top of the evening news. THIS STORY SCREAMS PREJUDICE!

-shanterria / atlanta

sad to say the prejudice always shown,had this been a white female maybe it would have gotten some attention but it seems with the war going on they want to show the positive not the negative of whats going on.The only way this will come to light is thatit happened to a few more soldiers

-Sandra

The family of this young lady should seek the help of Dr. Michael Baden a forensic pathologist from the HBO series Autopsy. I saw a show where a woman suspected her brother was murdered by his wife. She contacted Dr. Baden who confirmed her suspicions.

-Roxann

It makes me so angry when I hear about a tragedy like this and no one will be held accountable for what happened! It is clear that something very violent and awful was done to her by someone yet they make a up a lie and expect the family to believe it.I pray that the truth will come out. My prayers go out to this family.

-unknown

Having served in the Army nearly 20 years ago as a military police officer, I can say the truth might never come out. Best wishes to this family.

-Tony

My heart goes out to the family,butthank God for a father who knew his daughter and could look at the evidence without denial. Something is really wrong here and I know that the truth will prevail so that other soldier's (male and female) death won't be so casually disregarded.

-Kimberly

This article is very disturbing. My heart goes out to The Johnson Family. Follow your heart and God will do the rest....,

-Lennox 4 Life

God will guide you to the answers if you diligently seek him. Keep him first and he will not forsake you.

-Anonymous

My prays are with the family ~ My son went as a civilian , we were blessed that God allowed him to come back alive and well. My heart gose out to the family~

-Dorene

I must say reading this just gave me a cold sweat .I do feel like this is something that's happening to other woman stationed over there. Someone needs to check on what's going on over there with our young black woman . I will pray that the truth will come out about what really happen to this young lady . God Bless her Mother and Father.

-Sandra

I would just like to send my prayers out to the Johnson family. I encourage you to seek God for all of your answers because in the end the guilty will have to deal with him. I can't even imagine how it feels to lose a child, especially in a war that mostpeople oppose. My advice to you is to stay strong and keep God first. I know that LaVena is in a much better place. God bless you and I will continue to keep you in my prayers.

-Encouragement from Georgia

Oh my God please find out what happend to the young lady. My prayers are with the family.

-Anonymous

YEA SOMETHING HAPPENED PLEASE CHECK ALL THAY CRAP OUT OUR GUYS AND GALS SHOULDNT BE OVER THERE ANYWAY SEND BUSH AND HIS DAD....

-ANYONE

MY PRAYS GOES OUT TO THE JOHNSON FAMILY.A HERO THIS YOUNG LADY WAS. SHE TOOK THE OATH TO DEFEND OUR NATION FOR FREEDOM. NOW IT'S TIME FOR EVEN THE PENTAGON TO GET INVOVED TO SEE WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED OVER THERE. A PARENT KNOWS THEIR CHILD. BUT REMEMBER PARENTS WHAT IS DONE IN THE DARK WILL COMES TO LIGHT. I WOULD LIKE FOR CBS 48 HOURS TO DO A RESEARCH ON THIS LITTLE SISTER STORY AND LETS FIND OUT THE HOLY TRUTH. THE TAYLOR FAMILY HOUSTON,TX

-TERRY A. TAYLOR

I AM FROM COMPTON, CA AND WAS REALLY TOUCHED READING THIS STORY. THIS IS THE FIRST I HAVE HEARD OF THIS. TO THE FAMILY MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU. I REALLY FEEL FOR THE DAD. I COULD ONLY IMAGINE HOW MY DAD WOULD FEEL LOSING ME AND THEN NOT REALLY KNOWING THE TRUTH. ALWAYS REMEMBER HER AS YOUR BRAVE LITTLE GIRL. HANG IN THERE AND EVEN IF THEY DON'T TELL YOU EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED, JUST KNOW YOU HAVE A HOPE OF SEEING YOUR DAUGHTER AGAIN UNDER MUCH BETTER CIRCUMSTANCES. MAY GOD BLESS YOU.

-ENA

I was stationed in Balad, Iraq for 11 months. It is mentally draining to be in that environment for that length of time; however, Balad is one of the more safer places in Iraq (if any place could be considered "safe" during war). I just pray that her family finds out the truth, no matter what it may be and that they are able to handle it. My prayers are with you.

-Rosie

Im staioned where LaVena was stationed at the time of her death. I will admit its VERY hard out here especially for young black women, but I cant see her wanting to kill herself. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not let this story go. Prayers go out to her family, may God bless you.

-Jerve'

My heart goes out to this family. I pray that justice will prevail. It is extremely important for her family to clear her name (especially when you know your loved one is not suicidal). My family is going through a similar case which involves a murder suicide. Please don't give up, hold fast, stand still and trust God. Be blessed!

-Marie

i think theres to much going on im from St Louis the day i seen this on the news i knew they story they told wasn't true i have a cousin around the same age as her shes over seas now she calls alot when she gets scared but never tells me to much like shecant but when she comes home she tells but she always say shes going to hang in there. She say its the men they cant understand how a female could do what they can and better sometimes but that dont scare her and i think she may have been going threw thesame she just have c

-shay