Some Items of Interest ~
Win Free Boots For Life!
Militaryboots.com is giving away free Converse Military boots for life through a photo contest to find the most worn-out pair of boots.
Your boots have endured everything you’ve thrown at them. Drilling. Marching. Combat. Miles upon miles through never-ending plains, scorching deserts, and urban jungles. Whatever your boots’ story may be, we want to see ‘em.
The Converse Military Boots For Life Contest is searching the planet to find the oldest, most worn-out set of boots. The more battered and tattered, the better. Whether you’ve crawled through swamps or scaled mountains, you could own the winning pair…and score a LIFETIME SUPPLY OF CONVERSE BOOTS!
Submit a photo of your boots along with a brief story telling us why your boots are in the world’s worst condition. Send your entry to contest@militaryboots.com by March 31, 2010.
Show the world what it’s been like to walk a mile or 20 in your boots. And be rewarded for your effort!
Win a free pair of Converse military boots every year for the next 20 years, courtesy of Militaryboots.com.
I’ve seen some of your boots ~ go for it!
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Here’s an amazing video with Doris Kearns Goodwin discussing The Monuments Men, a new book about a small group of unknown heroes, men and women, who volunteered to save the cultural treasures of western civilization from the Nazi’s during WWII. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036789/vp/33411966#33411966
Many of the Monuments Men had established careers and families, yet they volunteered to serve a purpose greater than themselves. This is the first and only time in history, our military formed a special division dedicated to saving the cultural treasures of our civilization. Unfortunately, by this story being so relatively unknown, our military today has made no effort towards saving the cultural treasures in the Middle East. It is our mission to change that. Book Page writes, “an account that moves like a Hollywood action adventure…there are heroes to root for, villains to hiss at and an increasingly pressing race against time…Whether you’re a fan of art, military history or stories of real-life heroes, The Monuments Men is a treasure worth the hunt”.
Passing the Torch: A Veteran’s Day Story: Touching video clip of Robert M. Edsel discussing his last conversation with Lane S. Faison. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLqYev6Thck
Robert M. Edsel discussing the amazing story of one of eight living Monuments Men, German born Harry Ettlinger. - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8bseBwdDds
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Great Story About Women in Combat:
Female Pilots Train Iraqi Males
CAMP TAJI, Iraq — A female Air Force pilot deployed from Andrews Air Force Base, Md., works in a male dominated environment training Iraqi helicopter pilots.
Capt. Kacey Grannis, 721st Air Expeditionary Advisory Squadron, is the Iraqi air force’s first female Mi-17 instructor pilot at Camp Taji, a job which she describes as one of a kind…
(h/t to CJ A Soldier’s Perspective)
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Upcoming broadcast of a film called The Way We Get By, which will have its national premiere on PBS Veterans Day November 11th at 9pm.
A synopsis of the film:
On call 24 hours a day for the past five years, a group of senior citizens has made history by greeting nearly 900,000 American troops at a tiny airport in Bangor, Maine. The Way We Get By is an intimate look at three of these greeters as they confront the universal losses that come with aging and rediscover their reason for living. Bill Knight, Jerry Mundy and Joan Gaudet find the strength to overcome their personal battles and transform their lives through service. This inspirational and surprising story shatters the stereotypes of today’s senior citizens as the greeters redefine the meaning of community.
In case the video doesn’t work, you can view the trailer here: http://www.pbs.org/pov/waywegetby/
Read the film maker’s interview here - his Mom is his inspiration for the documentary!
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