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Episode 005 – Melanie Davis, author, founder of Triumph Press and Love Your Veterans

July 11, 2016 By Thad Forester

Melanie Davis
Melanie Davis

Melanie got into the publishing business after sharing copies of her journal to help people deal with grief and hardship.  This was because she documented her trial of losing her seven-month old baby girl Brynn to SIDS.  Seeing the hope it gave so many, she turned these writings into a book called “The Triumph Book”, which is real stories of people overcoming tremendous trials and finding purpose in life.

Later, she wrote and published “The Triumph Book: HEROES” which consist of real life stories from our veterans.  She learned and shares the struggles many of our veterans endure and fight each day.

Her stories are real and powerful.  Listen and feel her passion for serving our guardians of freedom.  She encourages us to serve others to overcome tragedy.

Learn more at:

www.triumphpress.com

www.loveyourveterans.org

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/274320874-user-645944549-episode-005-melanie-davis-author-founder-of-triumph-press-and-love-your-veterans.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: american heroes, green zone housing, grief, melanie davis, my brother in arms, one million rounds, ptsd, sids, triumph book, triumph press

Comfort of my Home

July 8, 2016 By Thad Forester

stoic police 3As I sit in my home with my family tonight, I am thankful that I know they are safe.  The events throughout the country–really over the last several years–have made me support our law enforcement even more than I did.  This week, as I see them standing face to face with protesters that are taunting, yelling, threatening, assaulting, and now even killing, I think about the families of our protectors.  I’m sure many homes had spouses say to the other, “Just quit, it’s not worth it.”  Or many mothers plead with their grown child to quit and choose a safer job.  This is understandable.

We are fortunate to have sheepdogs who are willing to face the enemy and protect the innocent.  It’s often a thankless job, and we know they don’t do it for the money (same with the military).  Many police are former military.  Isn’t it screwed up that many of them have deployed to fight enemies in another country, and now they are in their home country and still being shot at?

For all my friends who are law enforcement or have family members who are, I thank you and support you.  I’m fortunate to have never had a bad experience with a policeman.  Some arrogant and with no personality; yes.  But, that’s not cause to hate them all or to shoot them (of course).  I practice common sense when interacting with them.  They are the authority and there’s nothing wrong with submitting to that.  It doesn’t make me any less of a person.

I don’t argue the fact that some have been arrested, injured or killed by police who made a mistake.  There are rogue cops out there, but I believe those numbers are very low.  Nothing justifies hating, taunting, and killing any cop because he’s wearing the uniform.

They are someones son, brother, father and husband.  They may also be someones daughter, sister, mother and wife.  If one of my boys was a policeman, I’d be scared to death for him.

So, I rest in comfort tonight and am thankful for my safety.  However, I’m very sorry for the families of those patriots who were killed and injured–they ran to the sound of enemy fire.  May God comfort them and their families.

Police-Officer-With-Children

Filed Under: Patriots Tagged With: baton rouge, blue lives matter, chicago, dallas, ferguson, law enforcement, new york, oakland, police, sheep dog

Episode 004 – Artist Phil Taylor of The American Fallen Soldiers Project

June 27, 2016 By Thad Forester

Phil and Lisa Taylor
Phil and Lisa Taylor

Phil has always been an artist and worked with many actors and entertainers in Hollywood and in the music business.  But, after painting a portrait for a fallen friend’s dad, Phil realized how much healing it provided for those left behind to grieve.  He realized his calling was to paint portraits of fallen heroes, so he started the Texas Fallen Soldiers Project, which quickly grew into The American Fallen Soldiers Project.

He personally delivers 30-35 paintings every year to the families of fallen.  He shares the long process of producing each painting and the connection he feels with each one.

Learn more at www.americanfallensoldiers.com

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/272229177-user-645944549-episode-004-artist-phil-taylor-of-the-american-fallen-soldiers-project.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: american fallen soldiers, brush of honor, counting cars, gary sinise, heroes painting, insp, phil taylor, portrait

Behind the story: Mark’s book cover

June 23, 2016 By Thad Forester

Early "subdued" version
Early “subdued” version
Decided upon version
First decided upon version
New version
New version

What value can you put on the cover of a book?  Should you use an image or text only?  These are a few of the thoughts I had in the early stages of writing Mark’s book.  Since Triumph Press allowed me to have final say, I had to come up with the best book cover—at least in mine and my publisher’s opinion.

My initial thoughts were to have an image of Mark smiling, non-military.  After all, he was only in the military for three years and his life represented more than that.  Plus, I wanted people to see the real side of him, not just the seemingly rough, warrior image.

On the other hand, he was a warrior—a special operator in a small, elite group, and people needed to see the men protecting us:  He who stands ready to destroy the enemy.  What would catch people’s interest; his life before the military or him facing the enemy and being shot down while moving forward?

At Mark’s memorial walk in May 2013, at about mile 17, I was talking with his good friend Bobby about this.  Bobby said, “You’ve got to use the warrior picture.”  After I thought about it and talked about with Melanie at Triumph Press, I was on board.

I was reading Eric Blehm’s book “Fearless” during a period of writing Mark’s book and envisioned Mark’s cover being similar to it—a subdued, darkened image that covered most of the front.  Early prints of the book were an attempt at that, but still far from looking like “Fearless”.  However, I’m happy with how the image looks and is placed on the cover.

The text size is questionable.  With some market feedback, it was determined that the title didn’t stand out—especially when on a bookshelf with only the spine showing.  I saw this first hand at a friend’s.  So, as of May, we brightened up the title color and changed the font slightly.

There are some beliefs that the book title should be legible from 10 feet away.  Mine is borderline too small.  However, I wanted the text Brother in Arms all on one line.  I also wanted the CCT from Mark’s patch to be seen.

As for the star; that’s actually the Silver Star Medal, without the ribbon.  I asked some trusted people in the AFSOC if it was appropriate to use the star without it’s ribbon.  They confirmed they thought it was alright.  This allowed me to reference Mark’s Silver Star (third-highest military decoration for valor in combat against enemy of the US) to all who see the book.

Next up was the finish—matte or glossy.  Even though initially I wanted matte, we have glossy.  This was due to poor samples from printer.

I believe the cover to Mark’s book will be viewed as extreme by some.  There are those who will be uninterested b/c of the hard-core military cover.  Then, others will be drawn to it.  It does a great job showing the multitude of equipment he wore and how he still supported the Tide.  I still think the cover is the main reason Costco hasn’t agreed to accept in their stores yet.  Trust me, this doesn’t break my heart.

I’m not sure who took this pic in September 2010, but in my family’s eyes, it’s iconic and timeless.  I think it was one of his terps, but if anyone knows, please contact me.  This pic is also a key reference for equipment to a 1/6 scaled warrior for a company designing a figure of Mark that will be produced and sold beginning in spring 2017.  More info on that later.

On shelf at Books-a-Million
On shelf at Books-a-Million

Filed Under: My Brother in Arms Tagged With: afsoc, book cover, cover image, jacket cover, mark forester, my brother in arms

Episode 003 – Pastor Mike Dillman, Vietnam veteran (Army), organizer of largest Memorial Day event on the west coast

June 13, 2016 By Thad Forester

Mike Dillman
Mike Dillman

Mike Dillman has spent his life in service to our country and his fellow veterans.  While flying home from Vietnam, Pres Nixon gave an order to remove their uniform because they were returning to a divided nation.  Once in California and on his way to Oakland, his bus was literally stopped and rocked by protesters in Berkeley.  Ironically he felt safer 24 hours prior while in another country than in his home state.  After this he vowed to do all he could to honor our military, their service and sacrifice.

Since then he’s created and incredible Memorial Day event in one of the most patriotic cities in America – Manteca, CA.  I know because I’ve been there.  He shares his fight with PTSD and how sleep was his enemy.  How he almost lost his wife and kids and how the VA saved his life and marriage.

Pastor Dillman is a man who loves his country and is devoted to making sure his posterity remains free.

Learn more at www.thememorialweekend.org

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/270471721-user-645944549-episode-003-pastor-mike-dillman-vietnam-vet-army-advocate-for-vets-and-gold-star-families.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: berkeley hippies, earl the pearl, manteca, memorial day, mike dillman, remember the fallen, ronald reagon, warriors

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