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Episode 015 – Ronnie Rains, owner of Granite Ranch, host of numerous Wounded Warrior Retreats

November 14, 2016 By Thad Forester

Ronnie RainsIf you want to hear from someone who is a great example of the American Dream, this is it.  Ronnie Rains grew up poor, was drafted to serve in Vietnam, and later in life started businesses that have allowed him to be very generous to many people today – specifically our military and their families.

Regularly, Ronnie hosts wounded warriors at his ranch from all branches of our military.  He wants them to have a place to relax, hunt, fish, kayak, eat good food, and be away from cameras and photo ops.  He says putting those injured with someone in worse conditions than their own lifts their spirits.  I’ve been there and know first-hand the care he takes of our heroes.

This humble man helps our warriors in ways doctors and medicine can’t.  He shows us how to walk the talk by serving quietly, while impacting many.

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/290169735-user-645944549-episode-015-ronnie-rains-owner-of-granite-ranch-host-of-numerous-wounded-warrior-retreats.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: brothers keepers, draft, granite ranch, outdoor healing, ptsd, wounded warrior retreat

Episode 014 – Dan Hammond, US Duathlon Team, Adventure Racer, Entrepreneur

October 31, 2016 By Thad Forester

dan hammondAt age 56, Dan Hammond qualified for the US National Team to compete in the Duathlon World Championship in Aviles, Spain. He shares how he overcame injuries to quality for team and then found motivation to finish the big race, despite his body telling him to quit shortly after starting.

He also started “American Profile” magazine to distribute the good news of life in hometown America. It was the largest publishing launch in the US and spotlighted heroes that most of us never knew about; or those we did know, but never knew the selfless work they did for others. Goes to show that every town and every person have great stories.

Read more about Dan here:

http://markaforester.com/?postID=1904&tennessee-athlete-honors-mark-in-duathlon-world-championship

http://www.americanhometownmedia.com/

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/284507946-user-645944549-episode-014-dan-hammond-us-duathlon-team-adventure-racer-entrepreneur.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: american hometown media, american profile, duathlon, good news of life, us national team

Mark Forester Action Figure

October 28, 2016 By Thad Forester

Black Ops ToysEarly this year, I was contacted by Black Ops Toys about doing a collectible, 1/6th scale figurine of Mark.  My first question…: “Why do you want to do Mark?”  I didn’t ask this b/c I didn’t think it should be done.  I asked b/c I wanted to know why THEY thought it was important.  After all, Mark isn’t a household name yet.  What would they benefit from investing so much money and time to honor a fallen hero who wouldn’t generate the return as a Chris Kyle, Michael Murphy, Marcus Luttrell, etc.

Turns out they just released Chris Kyle’s figure, but no other real people’s have been done (living or dead).  So Mark’s is #2 for their company.

They said they were just drawn to his story and image (or that’s mainly what I remember).  They also knew another company had already made a 1/6 scale warrior in Mark’s image a few years ago; even though they didn’t use his name–it was Mark.  I mean, how many companies in China make an action figure of a CCT with the state of Alabama patch??

But this time it would be right.  The face will actually be molded to match Mark’s image.  All the gear will match what he was actually wearing–both what you can and can’t see.  And of course, they will advertise Mark and his foundation.

Black Ops Toys has been great to work with.  It’s taken many months to get this right.  They also worked directly with one of Mark’s teammates who was deployed down range with him, so the equipment would be right.  This has been their most expensive figure so far.  There may even be a surprise item with each collectible (notice I keep interchanging collectible and figure.  I’m trying to keep from using the same word over and over.  However, I asked Black Ops Toys and they said the official/proper term is “collectible”).

They are on pre-sale now.  Only 500 will be produced worldwide.  They will be sold online and in some retail stores.  Should ship in December.  What do you think?  Did they capture Mark?  I will say, his hair looks magnificent.  You can view more pics here.

Mark Forester Black Ops Toys

Filed Under: Patriots Tagged With: 1/6 scale warrior, action figure, black ops toys, cct, collectible, figurine, jag 28, mark forester, mission specific equipment

Episode 013 – Michael Yon, War Correspondent, author

October 17, 2016 By Thad Forester

Photo of US soldier carrying an Iraqi girl wounded in an SVBIED attackDennis Miller called Michael Yon the “Premier Combat Journalist”.  You want captivating?? This is it.  We cover topics from hand-to-hand combat, North Korean’s kidnapping Japanese and presumably Americans, the United States’ biggest threat, pedophilia among our mid-east enemies, WWII 442nd Infantry Regiment, war crimes, and much more.

After getting out of the Army Special Forces, Michael embedded with our troops for longer than any other war correspondent, according to the New York Times.  He deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Turkey, Thailand, Philippines and elsewhere.

Learn more about Michael here:

https://www.michaelyon-online.com/

And his book “Gates of Fire”:

https://www.michaelyon-online.com/gates-of-fire.htm
Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/287251052-user-645944549-episode-013-michael-yon.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 442nd Infantry Regiment, afghanistan, battle of tinian, combat journalist, danger close, deuce four, gates of fire, go for broke, hand to hand combat, iraq, north korea, Operation Phantom Fury, revenge, war crimes

Episode 012 – Justin Constantine, Marine (ret), Attorney, Wounded Warrior, Author, Motivator

October 3, 2016 By Thad Forester

justin constantineIt’s been 10 years since Justin was shot in the head by a sniper in Iraq.  The bullet entered behind his ear and exited thru his mouth.  You can imagine the destruction that caused.

Since his injury, Justin has continued his education, married his sweetheart (who took care of him during his recovery), written a book, and became a coach and motivational speaker.

This hero is involved in multiple organizations and causes that help veterans.  He was named a “Champion of Change” by the White House, presented the All-American Hero Award in 2013, along with many other awards.

After a couple dozen reconstructive surgeries and being blind in his left eye, he tells us that we are stronger than we think we are and we can overcome any obstacle.  Although he can no longer run, there are very few things he can’t do.  I left this interview in awe of his attitude and grit – I hope you feel the same!

Learn more about Justin here:

http://www.justinconstantine.com/

Purchase his book here:

http://mybattlefieldyouroffice.com/

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.

Copyright 2016 Thad Forester

www.patriottothecore.com

email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

 

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/284049094-user-645944549-episode-012-justin-constantine-marine-ret-attorney-wounded-warrior-author-motivator.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: champion of change, my battlefield your office, purple heart, sniper, wounded warrior

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