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Lt. Col. Dave Grossman on sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs

June 27, 2017 By Thad Forester

Here is a 1-minute clip of my interview with Dave Grossman.

He is the country’s expert trainer of military and law enforcement who helps those who have to kill overcome the natural resistance to killing.

In this short clip he starts on the difference between sheep, wolves, and sheepdogs.

Our full interview will air July 10, 2017.  If you subscribe to my podcast, this episode and others will automatically download on your device.  You can easily do so by clicking the appropriate box in the upper right section of this page (looks like this):

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Filed Under: Patriots Tagged With: killology, on combat, on killing, sheepdogs

Memorial Day from a Gold Star brother

May 28, 2017 By Thad Forester

Price of Freedom-Memorial Day 2017

As I watch the Coca-Cola 600, I’m honored to see my brother’s name on the #43 car for Richard Petty’s team.  Nascar is honoring 40 fallen heroes with 600 miles of remembrance today.

I continue to be amazed at the support we receive from so many people–from friends, acquaintances, and strangers.  I also grateful for support from an overwhelming majority of our citizens.

Each Memorial Day weekend, I receive an incredible amount of emails, texts, calls, and Facebook posts honoring my brother Mark Forester.  I can’t adequately express my appreciation to everyone for not forgetting our loss.  Unfortunately, many families are living Memorial Day every day.

I know many are like I was pre-2010:  Memorial Day being the beginning of pool and lake season, along with grilling, homemade ice cream and vacations–no thought of our fallen.  Now, it’s much different.  I think of my brother every day and try to honor him by how I live.  So in most ways, Memorial Day is no different than any other day.

However, I get more distracted this weekend because of the number of people recognizing the many heroes who’ve laid down their lives for our freedom.  I get a little more somber and appreciative for all who’ve paid the price of freedom.

Even though I don’t say “Happy Memorial Day”, I don’t get bothered if someone does.  I don’t worry about little things like that.  I just appreciate people remembering.  We are free to live and worship as we please; and celebrating with those we care about is a good thing to do for Memorial Day.

I’m curious what you do to honor our fallen on Memorial Day?  The options are limitless.  Ron White memorized everyone who has been killed in Afghanistan and wrote their names and rank on his traveling Memory Wall this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway – incredible.  My wife is doing the JAG 28 Hero WOD.  That ain’t no walk in the park.

Answered his call

My little brother lived great and died great.  Most importantly he was killed doing something he loved.  He sealed his fixed determination to conquer our enemies with his blood.  I’m sure he has no regrets.

Mark Forester and mom 2010
Mark with mom before he deployed in 2010. She’ll never get over losing her baby boy.

Filed Under: Patriots Tagged With: 600 miles of remembrance, charlotte, coca-cola 600, mark forester, memorial day, memory wall, nascar, regan smith, richard petty

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

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

They aren’t stupid enough to come to Haleyville, are they?

April 12, 2016 By Thad Forester

Patriot Guard Riders escorting Mark's body to funeral
Patriot Guard Riders escorting Mark’s body to funeral

Have you ever seen protesters at a military or first responder’s funeral?  For normal, God-fearing, patriots, this is unimaginable.  But it happens all over the country, all the time.  There are groups of people who think the way to combat the calamities in the world is to protest the funerals of those who protect us—everyone, even loons who won’t recognize it.


The video above is taken from an interview I conducted in 2011 with the two members of the north Alabama Patriot Guard Riders who were in charge of Mark’s funeral.  Dave and his wife Cheryl are selfless Americans who voluntarily attend funerals all over the state for fallen military and first responders.  This is a big job.  Not only do they show up to various events, such as viewings, Angel Flights, funerals, memorials, etc, they also have to organize with others to attend.  They normally meet with local law enforcement too.

In chapter 5 of My Brother in Arms, I share that when planning Mark’s funeral, we knew the possibility that protesters would show up.  Initially we thought, “they wouldn’t be stupid enough to show up to a small town in the south”.  The reality is they are stupid enough.  They apply for permits and are normally granted them.

Planning the funeral for a loved one is hard enough logistically and emotionally.  Throw in potential for loud, crude, insensitive and spineless protesters, it can really complicate the planning and wear on the emotions an extreme amount.  The day before the funeral I asked, “how can they do something like this?”  The chief of Mark’s squadron said “We fight for their rights too.”

I don’t know everything that went on behind the scenes, but I know the city was prepared for any adversity.  The mayor said that legally he had to give them a permit, but he decided where they were allowed to protest.  I think their spot was behind the football stadium with nothing but woods between them and the school where the funeral was to take place.

My role in this was simple: I called the PGR and asked them to come.  One way they show respect is by only showing up if the family requests them.  Once I gave the word, they started mobilizing.  They attended Mark’s Angel Flight, viewing, and funeral.  There were over 200 bikes in Haleyville to support Mark and our family.

Some of our family members–uncle and cousins–were filled with anger at the thought of protesters.  When a particular group posted they would be in Haleyville for Mark’s funeral, word got around the community fast, even in neighboring towns.  I vividly remember my uncle Will with tears in his eyes because his anger was kindled sufficiently.  He said he wouldn’t allow it to happen.  He and other family members were prepared to get physical.  I can’t blame them for feeling that way.  We appreciated the support, but never expected anyone to do anything like that (although it would be warranted if it did happen).  We just expect humans to honor and respect our fallen heroes, not make a mockery.

I encourage you to look up videos of the PGR to see them in action.  Watch them silent protesters, not by violence, but by the roar of their bikes.  Watch them protect the families from even seeing them by acting as barriers between the hostile group and the family, while holding beautiful American flags.

And for the record, no unwelcomed zealots showed up.  After all, maybe they used some common sense and realized making an appearance in Haleyville, AL isn’t a smart idea.

We are forever grateful to the PGR and many volunteers who joined them temporarily, for being present for three days plus.  One family friend, Steve, was gathered with the PGR before the funeral and when I saw him I said “Steve, I didn’t know you were part of the Patriot Guard”.  He said, “I just joined.”  He was one of the many bikers leading Mark’s body from the funeral home to the school for the funeral.

“Standing for those who stood for us”.  This is the PGR’s motto.

Here is a short video of the PGR in action just before Mark’s funeral:

Filed Under: Patriots Tagged With: bikers, military funeral, not on my watch, patriot guard riders, pgr, protestors

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