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Episode 028 – Matthew Glencoe: The Makings of a Hero

May 15, 2017 By Thad Forester

Matthew GlencoeIf 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.

He was ready

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):

http://markaforester.com

Register for the Price of Freedom Race (event is May 20)

Register for the 36-mile Memorial Birthday Walk (event is May 20)

Book on Amazon

Music courtesy of Soundroad – Believe.
Copyright 2017 Thad Forester
http://www.patriottothecore.com
email questions to thad@patriottothecore.com

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Filed Under: Patriot to the Core Tagged With: labor of love, mark forester, memorial walk, my brother in arms, price of freedom race

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

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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

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

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