H.U.A. Blog

Apr

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

April 17, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

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

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

PAMVET Breakfast Club at 181 and still recruiting

April 16, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

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

Honor Flight: A day in the life of one veteran and one volunteer

April 11, 2013 By Diana M. Rodriguez

Service as a volunteer often leads to unexpected experiences and rewards. Such was one woman’s experience as she was ‘buddy’d up’ with a veteran flown in to Washington D.C. in a group invited to visit ‘their’ memorials.

Welcome, first time MilSuccessNet guest blogger as she shares the opportunity she had to get to know her country’s veterans one name, one story and one day at a time in a story entitled: Honor Flight: Spending a day with the Greatest Generation changed my life.

Her post follows coverage of the screening of documentary, Honor Flight the Movie. Photos in this post are those of Ms Rodriguez.

Diana M. Rodriguez, blogger, editor, valued volunteer, photo supplied

Diana M. Rodriguez is a writer and editor who blogs on topics of social interest. She has deep roots in the Veterans’ community as public affairs practitioner with a focus on their issues and also as friend and family member.

Our peek into her memorable, diary type entry, is excerpted from a February 2013 post on her popular blog: I Mean What I Say but I Don’t Say It Meanly. (MilSuccessNet has added captions and sub-heads here only)

2010 had been a challenging year, for our writer. It held tough times for her on the personal front, in her health and in the uncertainty of her job. The call to serve beckoned her at just the right time….And now, in her own words…..

[Read more…]

Apr

Honor Flight Movie night connects military vets, community in Colorado

April 10, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

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

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

Hal Olsen: On call mechanic at Tinian to artistic legacy

April 9, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

“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

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

What to expect at a military ball

April 5, 2013 By Pam and Shaun Collins

Our daring duo of etiquette and best advice on how to deal with a myriad of private life and public service situations talk protocols.

In time for the formal military ball, Pam and Shaun Collins respond to this question originally posed by a Guidon reader.

Questions you might have

My first military ball is coming up quickly. I recently had a friend give me tips on what will happen. I’ve never been to one, so I have no idea what to expect. I was told about the receiving line and how not to greet the first person in line, etc. Seriously, what should I expect from this? My husband is not worried about it, but I am! I have a full back tattoo and ankle tattoos — can they be exposed? Can you guys give me a run through?

Military Ball Neophyte ……and now….to the answers…
[Read more…]

Apr

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

April 3, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

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…]

Apr

How to get to Valhalla? Apply Part 2 of 2

April 2, 2013 By Gordon Cucullu

How to find your way to Valhalla? An earthly and modern version of the paradise for warriors, the Valhalla Project is a haven for veterans to gather. They may, as tradition holds, regale each other with their stories, or not. They can, however, come to be occupied in productive pursuits in nature and to restore their spirits and bodies, for a little while in their healing and transition time. And, in the company of others who understand.

Gordon Cucullu is co founder of the Valhalla Project

Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gordon Cucullu, Valhalla Project Co-founder

Inside information is shared here! Part II gives the step-by-step process for a qualified Soldier who might wish to spend some time in Valhalla to apply.

The insider? Lt. Col. (Ret.) Gordon Cucullu, who with his life and project partner, Chris Fontana, founded the Valhalla Project. They are also co-authors of the book Warrior Police, whose proceeds are tagged entirely to support the operation of this incredibly healthy project. Now.. In their own words…..

[Read more…]

Mar

The “She Said” response to a reader on gun control Part 2 of 2

March 28, 2013 By Pam Collins

“Is it gun control or constitutional infringement?” asked a reader of the popular advice column called He Said She Said in the Guidon at Ft. Leonard Wood.

In Part 1 Shaun Collins said his piece. Now, Pam Collins shares her point of view on gun control and key information leading up to it. Both opinions represent the advice column duo’s personal views, based on their work expertise and life experiences.

Question period

Part 2 touches on:

Sandy Hook……..Slippery slopes and lobbyists ……Volstead Act….. Latent function…..type of gun permissible debate….facts on firearms

[Read more…]

Mar

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

March 27, 2013 By Helena Kaufman

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.

WoW – 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…]