Mark’s ebook in the Kindle version will be on sale the next 4 days. Today you’ll see it start out at $0.99 (at 10 am central) and then will go up by $2.00 every 27 hours for the next 4 days. This is a very cheap option to read about an American Hero, especially as we celebrate Memorial Day.
Click here to go to Amazon and download
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If you’ve read my book: “My Brother in Arms”, you’ve seen Matthew Glencoe’s name on the front cover. After I’d been working on the book for about a year, I realized help was needed if the book was ever going to be finished in reasonable time.
As he helped organize the book, Matt and I discuss what is was like for him to learn about Mark and his family. One duty was to come to Mark’s annual memorial walk in Haleyville AND take part. He did. Then quickly realized walking a continuous 31 miles in hilly northwest Alabama without training wasn’t the best idea. However, he endured and finished. This 13-hour event allowed Matt many opportunities to see and feel the support for Mark and his foundation from so many.
Glencoe also turns the tables and asks me several questions. I share the process of writing the book and why I was committed to it, especially having not written a book before.
Today’s episode is a little different because May 15 is my brother Mark’s birthday. He’d be 36 years old today. And with our big event coming up this weekend, on May 20, I thought it was appropriate to talk about Mark’s book, the race, and memorial walk.
A portion of book sales supports The Mark Forester Foundation. This isn’t a book specifically about war, even though the majority of the book is about Mark’s military career and deployment. However, Matthew Glencoe reminds us that this book is more about the makings of a hero.
After reading, you may also feel that Mark’s life ended dramatically, but was exceedingly well lived. You can read more and purchase the book at these links (and any major bookstore):
Register for the Price of Freedom Race (event is May 20)
Register for the 36-mile Memorial Birthday Walk (event is May 20)
Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
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Dan Sheehan was fully prepared for combat. He’d been an officer in the Marines for six years. His father was a Navy pilot; his brother was a Marine. This is what he was meant to do. When it came to killing the enemy; no problem. If they pose a threat, kill them. If they try to kill him or his team, kill them. It was that simple…. or so he thought.
He learned it wasn’t that cut and dry during his first deployment to Iraq in 2003. When teammates eliminated terrorists, he had no problem with it–it was necessary. But for some reason when Dan killed, it impacted him like he never imagined. His attitude became worse and his emails home turned more negative.
He not only struggled with actually killing, but how could he be 100% certain those he was firing at were legit enemy combatants? There was no way to be completely certain. He also learned the results of inaction could cause death to him and his teammates.
Dan returned home in 2002 to a welcoming nation. Strangers bought him drinks and shook his hand. But when things quieted down, he was a wreck. He couldn’t sit still. Even surfing wasn’t the therapy he thought it’d be. How was he supposed to immediately adapt from an active battlefield to home life? He turned to alcohol, which allowed him to calm down some.
Fortunately, he had an understanding and patient wife, plus he began spearfishing. His wife helped him in a way that no one else could. The spearfishing provided a rush and “high” that he needed to feel normal.
His journey has been long, but he told me he’s in a really good place now. He’s a stay-at-home dad who vowed to not screw up his kids. Writing provided therapeutic healing in a way nothing else did. Now, his books help veterans and those close to them understand they aren’t alone.
To learn more about Dan, his books, and to see pics and videos from his deployments, check out his web site below:
You can purchase his awarding winning books here:
Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
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Early 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.
Today is six years since Mark Forester was killed by a terrorist in Afghanistan. This episode is just two brothers talking about the notification of Mark’s death, the Angel Flight, the Patriot Guard Riders, near death experiences, and life since. We also reminiscence about our little brother and why he was the warrior he became.
Joseph was very influential in Mark’s decision to join the Air Force so it was fitting that we chat and document it. I especially enjoyed Joseph’s insight on what he thought Mark’s final thoughts were in those last few minutes of his life on the battlefield.
Learn more about Mark at:
www.markaforester.com
Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2016 Thad Forester
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com
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