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May
18

Armed Forces Day observed in 2013 on May 18

By | H.U.A. Blog, History

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This content on the basics of Armed Forces Day was taken “off the wire” as it were, from the time and date website .

We like that it is a day to honour ALL armed forces.

And if you noticed the “U” in honour it’s because it is a symbolic extension to H.ear, U.nderstand and A.cknowledge YOU dear reader. Also..it’s our Canadian editor’s long weekend to mark more than 65 years on the job for Queen Victoria, in her day. Canada marks Armed Forces Day in June and that covers Navy, Army, Air Force.  And now…. on to the celebration of the dedicated military members of the U.S. of A!

What do people do?

Many events across the United States take place on Armed Forces Day to honor Americans in uniform who served their country in times of war and peace. [Read more…]

May
08

John Holmes illustrates service life and transition, frame by frame

By | H.U.A. Blog, Reviews

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Sweat, as in equity and hard-won military experience, paint, line drawings and bubbles of text comprise our WoW today as Words on Wednesdays spotlights John Holmes – creator of Power Point Ranger, EZKGTB and The Longest War. 

John Holmes, PPR creator

John Holmes, PPR creator

The comic strip, zombie tales book and story collection, respectively originated with John Holmes. When I interviewed him near his home and work in Saratoga, New York, we spoke of his having spent half his 44 years in the service of his country. Of those 22 years, 14 were in the army and the balance in the National Guard.

As of this publishing time, only days after our long-awaited phone call, Holmes announced that he had officially chosen to enter civilian life, full time. It appeared shortly after the fact on his social media page. 

Transition, while it does reach deeply into our personal and professional lives, is not always, for most of us, immensely public. The process for Holmes has been graduated in his shift from one service to another and now the big leap into life as most of America knows it.

And, it has been very public. Holmes has folded a lifetime of experience along with humor and relevant commentary into his creative efforts frame by frame and chapter by chapter.

His tips on transition next time. Today, a peek into his creative side, via a May 2013 interview, in John Holmes’ s own words…… [Read more…]

May
05

Petraeus joins the team of veterans in transition

By | H.U.A. Blog

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Gen. Petraeus is in transition. It’s something we all experience, most especially Veterans who meet the challenge of moving from a strong military identification to the sometimes vague and just a touch confusing civilian work and life situation.

General David Petraeus prior to transition

General David Petraeus (US Military photo 2011)

 “He’s a little lonely and trying to figure it out like other returning veterans. I met with him and it just dawned on me that he’s looking for a new mission and a new sense of purpose, and he went back to something that he was comfortable with.”

Kaj Larsen, a former Navy Seal and advocate for returning veterans, is quoted in this excerpt from BuzzFeed.
Headlines in the story hint at other motives. Well orchestrated comebacks. Polishing of image and restoration of prestige. [Read more…]

May
01

Real life, love, loss & war reporting inspire Widow of Gettysburg author Jocelyn Green

By | H.U.A. Blog, History, Reviews

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Jocelyn Green, Military Success Network guest blogger is today’s WoW–Words on Wednesdays feature as today is the general launch day of Widow of Gettysburg. This is Green’s 2nd book in the series entitled: Heroines Behind the Lines.

Front cover of Widow of Gettysburg by Jocelyn Green A bonus on the book is that for a limited time it is available FREE to readers as a download. A great celebration of Green’s craft and generosity as well as a super warm up to not only Mother’s Day on May 12, but also the observance of Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 10!

Now onto the words of the story and a few about the process…..  The Battle of Gettysburg is the most documented and well-known battle of the American Civil War. Jocelyn Green’s novel, Widow of Gettysburg, takes us beyond the battlefields to the daily battles fought by women and children who struggled just to survive in the time of the Civil War. [Read more…]

Apr
17

Which way is the front line from here? Sebastian Junger’s new film

By | H.U.A. Blog

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First Restrepo.

(See the 2:00 trailer here of the movie about a year in the most dangerous valley)

Now, Which way is the front line from here? A documentary.

Sebastian Junger Photo: SebastianJunger.com

Sebastian Junger Photo: SebastianJunger.com

WoW – Words on Wednesdays goes audio for the first time, with an interview clip recorded directly from Canadian radio with Sebastian Junger, photographer, film maker and founder of RISC.

Sebastian Junger on CBC April 17 13 minutes – as he remembers the death on April 20, 2011 of Tim Hetherington and Chris Hondros . The interview introduces the airing on HBO at 8 p.m, Thursday April 18. The film, Which way is the front line from here? The documentary covers the life and death of Tim Hetherington and also touches on the soul and psyche of war photographers and warriors in the thick of battle. [Read more…]

Apr
16

PAMVET Breakfast Club at 181 and still recruiting

By | Guest Posts, H.U.A. Blog

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Coverage of the stories of veterans of all ages and coming from various conflict zones continues on Military Success Network. Today, we spotlight PAMVET through the reprint, with permission, of an excellent story by  Shelley Widhalm, features reporter, The Reporter-Herald, Loveland, CO.

Veterans gathering for breakfast under PAMVET banner

PAMVET breakfast attended by team member of MilSuccessNet (his photo supplied)

PAMVET or Proud American Military Veterans gather weekly on Saturdays at a unique breakfast in Colorado. Their meeting place offers fellowship, a place to be heard, seen and acknowledged not only for service and survival but also for those experiences most readily understood by other brothers and sisters in arms. 

Honor Flight the Movie was featured in a recent post in the context of a special screening at Colorado State University. PAMVET participants made their way to that ‘opening night’ at CSU alongside history students, ROTC and others, despite heavy snow storm weather warnings. 

The next day we had Diana Rodriguez’s account of her day in the company of one veteran who stepped off his Honor Flight in her hometown of Washington D.C. and into her life. 

Now, on to Shelley Widhalm, features reporter, The Reporter-Herald, Loveland, CO and her visit to PAMVET… in her own words and her photos… [Read more…]

Apr
10

Honor Flight Movie night connects military vets, community in Colorado

By | H.U.A. Blog, Reviews

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Recently, one of the Military Success Network team has taken on what he feels is a privileged opportunity. He chooses to rise even earlier now on some Saturdays and to join about 70 or so veterans for breakfast. On each occasion he shares in the company and stories of veterans in America.

They comprise men and women of the American military period since WW2. They gather every week in Loveland, Colorado.

Honor Flight Poster

Honor Flight Poster

Last week he brought a flier along with him. It was about the movie Honor Flight set for special screening at the CSU, Colorado State University. The Honor Flight movie shares the stories of some of the heroes who have been impacted by the program which brings together veterans to spend time with their brothers and sisters in arms. More follows on the movie, the destination and the special event in Colorado that connected generations on a snowy night at the movies this week. [Read more…]

Apr
09

Hal Olsen: On call mechanic at Tinian to artistic legacy

By | H.U.A. Blog, History

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“When Pearl Harbor was bombed, I was out of business,” says Hal Olsen in a way that only a 91-year-old veteran of WW II can say.

Hal Olsen as a young artist at Tinian

Hal Olsen as a young artist at Tinian

Transition rears its compelling and mandatory mindset in all military service branches and in any era. Helping hands in the process can come from different directions.

MilSuccessNet has recently featured two distinct kinds. One was The Valhalla Project, which you’ll find a gentle reference to heaven for warriors in this post and the other was the first of our 2013 Pin Up posts. Both have direct contact with veterans in common, and the desire to serve by assisting.

Now back to Hal Olsen and his life in art that helped then and heals and preserves memory of the times now. [Read more…]

Apr
03

Pin-Up star raises spirits and funds for Veterans’ care

By | FunFile, Guest Posts, H.U.A. Blog

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Pin-Ups for Vets logo WoW has gone wordless, almost. This Wednesday a different kind of book is featured. And, it’s going to go into two parts, not just because the photos include a fold but because there is that much to say about Pin Ups for Vets and the work it does for transition in the military community. 

Yes, Pin Ups. You know, photos of lovely women smiling out at us. In this case, in the alluring outfits and clearly contrasting red lips and classic make up of the glam style circa the era of the 1940s. 

For Pin Up for Vets founder, Gina Elise, her current 50 state hospital tour has brought in person visits to 39 VA & Military hospitals in 24 states, so far. All in service to the calendar and what it’s meant to do: raise funds and spirits, in person, through purchases and sent as  gifts.
[Read more…]

Mar
27

Site co-founders’ book blends service, heritage and legacy in Hidden Wounds: A Soldier’s Burden

By | H.U.A. Blog, Reviews

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Lessons in the marketplace were the unanticipated deliverables in the boxes of their own books. They arrived fresh off the presses onto the door steps of co-authors, Marius Tecoanta and Nate Brookshire.

Hidden-Wounds-A-Soldiers-Burden_ThumbnailWoW – Words on Wednesdays will ultimately visit the PROCESS of publishing – the battles waged to get military writers’ words to their audiences successfully. Today, we’ll continue with the CREATIVE process, in our coverage of Military writers, cartoonists, essayists, authors and bloggers…

Your nominations for future posts are welcome!

Now, it’s (this) editor’s choice. Getting this book out is what brought the three of us, Helena, Marius and Nate together-to tell a story of two families. Our growth as a team and understanding of the scope of the subject grew into a new mission.

We knew we wanted to create more  space for the critical stories of our time, told by and for others. Stories of  transformation and of resilience lived by military members in transition back to their civilian life, possibly new work and studies and to their family life. [Read more…]

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