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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 009 – Rob Gutierrez, Air Force Cross recipient, CCT, aka “The Combat Chassis”

September 5, 2016 By Thad Forester

Rob GutierrezRob is one of those guys who was angered by the attacks on 9/11 and quit his job and joined the military THAT DAY.  Unfortunately, he couldn’t pass the swim test for CCT initially, but he kept working and got accepted.

Even though his employer laughed at him for wanting to join, Rob has had a successful career in combat and sent many terrorists to meet their maker.  After being shot, having a lung collapse – twice, and losing over 5 pints of blood during a fight with the Taliban in 2009, he still called in close air support and saved his team which helped eliminate over 47 enemies that night and prevent thousands of pounds of Imodium Nitrate from being used for bombs.

Rob shares an incredible story of bravery and determination by him and his team to fight the enemy, no matter how many of them kept appearing from the spider holes trying to kill them.

He was also named one of the Outstanding Airmen of the Year in 2010.

You can learn more about Rob from this book by Oliver North:
 

https://amzn.com/0805447121

This book:

https://amzn.com/147659936X

And read more about him here:

http://www.sgtmacsbar.com/CCTPhotos/Gallery24/Gutierrez/Gutierrez.html
 

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/279931261-user-645944549-episode-009-rob-gutierrez-air-force-cross-recipient-cct-aka-the-combat-chassis.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 9/11, Air force cross, airmen of the year, cas, cct, rob gutierrez, special operations

Episode 008 – Bart Decker, Air Force CCT (ret), original Horse Soldier in Afghanistan

August 22, 2016 By Thad Forester

The Horse Soldiers

I’ve been wanting to talk to Bart for a long time.  He and his Special Operations team were some of the first men inserted into Afghanistan after 9/11.  They were covert operators named Task Force Dagger that joined up with the Northern Alliance to defeat the Taliban.

They rode on horseback to capture the city of Mazar-i-Sharif.  Once they arrived, the Taliban had moved out and his team were welcomed as liberators.  Bart also tells us how he controlled his emotions when interacting with John Walker Lindh, the American who converted to Islam and took part in a violent uprising after his capture in Afghanistan.

Decker is now retired after 20+ years serving in the Air Force.  He said he wouldn’t go back and change a thing.  He loved his time serving his country and has no regrets.

He and his team are forever honored at One World Trade center with a 13’ bronze statue of an American Commando on a horse.  Hopefully we see this story hit the big screen in the next few years.  It’s definitely deserving of it!

More info here:

“First In” by Gary Schroen

“Horse Soldiers” by Doug Stanton

Americas Response Monument at One World Trade Center

Sgt Macs Bar on Horse Soldiers and Bart Decker

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/278435135-user-645944549-bart-decker-af-cct-ret-original-horse-soldier-in-afghanistan.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: 9/11, afsoc, americas response, bart decker, bowe bergdahl, cct, first in, horse soldiers, john walker lindh, kunduz, mazar-i-sharif, Mohammad Fazl, wooden saddles

Episode 001 – Johnnie Yellock II, Air Force Combat Controller (ret), Operation Enduring Freedom veteran, wounded warrior

May 16, 2016 By Thad Forester

Johnnie Yellock II
Johnnie Yellock II

In July 2011 Johnnie was 10 days into his second deployment to Afghanistan when his vehicle hit an IED.  After applying two tourniquets to his legs and calling for air support and medical evacuation, he was eventually transferred to Brooks Army Medical Center for more surgeries, rehab and recovery.

He’s now had 30 limb-salvaging surgeries to his feet, he is 1-inch shorter in height, and his ankles are fused at a 90-degree angle, requiring him to wear braces on each leg.

He discusses the details of his injury and how he kept a positive attitude throughout his recovery and painful surgeries.  He says there is nothing he can’t do.

Now medically retired from the Air Force, he speaks regularly to large groups and churches.  He’s also been a two-time participant in Pres. George W. Bush’s Warrior Open Golf Tournament.

You’ll appreciate his advice and humor on overcoming adversity and always having something to look forward to.

http://media.blubrry.com/podcast_patriot_to_the_core/feeds.soundcloud.com/stream/264246497-user-645944549-patriottothecore001johnnieyellock.mp3

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: bronze star, cct, determination, gotme, ied, johnnie yellock, mark forester, purple heart, terrorists, wounded warrior

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