In all journalistic endeavors, mistakes are sometimes made. We here are Duffel Blog would like to come clean and admit such a mistake. The Duffel Blog editorial board recently published an article entitled, "Sergeant Smith From Alpha Company is a Total Dick."

This article contains numerous factual mistakes, slanted reporting, and a grossly inappropriate tone, and for that, we truly apologize.

Sgt. Smith, with the Ford F-150, in Alpha Company is a true patriot. He joined the United States Army right out of high school, despite the scholarship opportunities he had to various prestigious universities. He is all the more admirable because he enlisted, not out of self-interest, but out of a sincere desire to help his country in its time of need.

He is a strong, able, and moral soldier who exemplifies the Army Values. Seldom is a bad word ever spoken about the man, and his soldiers all agree that his leadership is the defining factor of their individual careers. He has thus served as a mentor …