Inspiration Image -- “Father and Son” photo by Pat Avery
My son is young
A life barely begun
Tender years without his dad
Makes me wonder…….will he turn out bad?
Me, my heart is torn
I’m proud to be American born
I want to serve my country..help to make it free
must it be at the expense of my family?
Ohhhhhh the pain of the choices we make
War or taking my son to the lake
What if I don’t come back
Will he understand and cut me some slack?
I know what I must do
To my country I must be true
Ohhhhhh the pain of the choice I made
Please god…..don’t let his memory of me fade!
taps
MP3 Available at www.militarywriters.com/MarlyceStockinger-TheChoiceWeMake.mp3
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Send email to MWSAPCA7@gmail.com OR vote at one of the polling sites listed on page 9!
Showing posts with label Branson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Branson. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Branson Veterans Week Slide Show
Many thanks to Larry Wikoff, our photographer. Larry was a Lt. in the Air Force during the Vietnam War -- an engineer who spent most of his time in service in California. It was his first time in Branson and he spent a great deal of it taking pictures for Pat and me. He was moved by the Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors and their stories. He was thrilled to meet Judge Robert Decatur and George Boyd who were Tuskeegee Airmen. He loved the kindness of people like Steve Wehyer, Marlyce Stockinger and Arlen Lipper.
Larry and my husband Johnny were classmates during highschool in Jacksonville, Arkansas. They both went to the University of Arkansas and studied Electrical Engineering. They were roommates and friends. I first met them both in January, 1967. It was a blessing.
In 1970, when Johnny and I spent almost a year in Japan, we brought Larry back his first Minolta Camera. I'm sure he'd been interested in photography before, but this seemed to release his inner shutter bug.
I'm hoping that Larry will continue sharing his wonderful photographs with us.
Be sure to take a look at the slide show at http://www.rrpstorytellers.blogspot.com. It's in the upper right hand corner.
Joyce
Larry and my husband Johnny were classmates during highschool in Jacksonville, Arkansas. They both went to the University of Arkansas and studied Electrical Engineering. They were roommates and friends. I first met them both in January, 1967. It was a blessing.
In 1970, when Johnny and I spent almost a year in Japan, we brought Larry back his first Minolta Camera. I'm sure he'd been interested in photography before, but this seemed to release his inner shutter bug.
I'm hoping that Larry will continue sharing his wonderful photographs with us.
Be sure to take a look at the slide show at http://www.rrpstorytellers.blogspot.com. It's in the upper right hand corner.
Joyce
Monday, December 10, 2007
Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors Prepublication Launch
My co-author, Pat McGrath Avery, and I did a prepublication launch of "Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors" in Branson on November 6. As many of you already know, Veterans' Week is THE big even of the year there. It was a busy, overwhelming, dizzy time -- perhaps one of the must moving experiences of my life.
First, I'll tell you about the event itself. For those of you who are authors, and paid to have ads in Salute, we thank you. We gave out hundreds of copies to the thousands of folks we encountered throughout the week. Vendors village was in the front building of "Celebration City" site -- and there was a theater adjoining it. Red Engine Press and the Military Writers Society of America shared the theater facility as well as manning a booth in the front part of the building. We had our launch and several speakers in the theater itself -- and during the first part of the week, there were author booths in the lobby of the theater as well. During the launch and other events and throughout the week -- the slideshow was always playing 'somewhere'. When possible, it played on two huge screens on either side of the stage. At other times, it played on one or two different laptops at the various booths. (For those of you who were new to the slide show this late in the game, Pat and Everett will be duping the cd and sending you a copy so that you can play it at your events.)
On Monday, two of the survivors (Walt Whitcomb and Valdor John), Pat and I were on a Christian Radio show. The interviewer was wonderful. He maneuvered to get as much air time for Walt and Valdor as possible. We offered prelaunch copies of the book as giveaways and were gratified at how quickly people phoned in to get them. Throughout the week, I had several people mention that they'd heard us on the radio.
Opening ceremony was that afternoon. They showed a video of Sherman Jones' graduation from highschool and introduced Sherm to the crowd. The Lennon Sisters came out and serenaded him. Then, after it was over, Pat and I introduced him to someone very special. Sherman had a friend named Gene Putzier -- who trained with him, went to Korea with him, fought with him, marched with him. In Pyongyang a few days before the massacre, Gene died in Sherman's arms -- crying out for his Momma. Gene's brother and baby sister -- who knew almost nothing about how Gene died for most of the last 57 years -- were there. When we told Sherman who they were -- he grabbed both of them and held them tightly -- wailing for his lost friend. Nancy and Dick Putzier were shocked I think -- but they too cried together with Sherman -- for Gene. That got me and Pat going too. I must say that Pat cries at the drop of a hat...
The newspapers of Branson gave us (and our other author, Eddie Beesley who was a VIP guest of Branson for the week) lots and lots of coverage. Almost every day there was an article or photo of the guys.
On Tuesday, November 6, we launched three books -- Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors, Hodge Wood's "Chum Water" and Mary Nida Smith's (Submarine Vets). At around 9am, I realized that there was no ramp to get either Hodge Wood or Valdor John onto the stage (they are both in wheeled scooters)...I presumed that it was simply stashed away somewhere and approached one of the people in charge of the facility. They asked me when we needed it. Still thinking that they were going to get it out of storage, I said we'd need it at 10am. Here's the amazing thing -- these guys BUILT one for our guests. I was so moved...they carried it in...and waited respectfully until we reached the point in the program when it would be required.
Branson celebrity, Penny Gilley, sang a song and spoke briefly -- inviting the whole audience to her show that evening for free. (After the show that night, Walt and Ed went up on stage and presented her with her own copy of the book.) She also agreed to let us sell copies of the books in her gift shop.
Hodge and Mary each spoke briefly about their books.
Six of the nine survivors were there (Walt Whitcomb, Valdor John, Ed Slater, Jim Yeager, Bill Henninger and Sherman Jones)-- plus one of the men who escaped before the massacre (George Snodgrass). Samuel Clark, a member of the 187th Airborne RCT -- the unit of paratroopers dropped to try and block the retreating North Korean Army and rescue the POWs in the train -- spoke. When I introduced him, he came up on stage and gave me a hug, whispering in my ear, "Pray that I don't mess this up." Then, he told the survivors of the attempt to save them. Weather delayed the drop for six hours. He told them that when they found them -- they found mostly bodies -- and he told them how that felt. With tears in his eyes, he told the survivors that he wanted to personally apologize for failing to get there in time. The audience gasped. Sherman Jones, who'd been shot in the head during the massacre, rocked back and forth in his seat. One of the others cried out -- "it's not your fault." Pat and I choked back sobs.
The Comets (Bill Haley and the Comets were a famous group in the early 1950s) came up on stage and spoke about their new buddies -- the survivors. We had created a cd to accompany the book that included an electronic version of the book, all the photos and maps in color, audio recordings of the men telling their stories -- and "Rock Around the Clock," donated to us by the Comets. They also invited the audience to their two o'clock show -- for free. Amazing.
Then it was time to sign books. We set up two stations on stage -- one for Mary Nida Smith and Hodge Wood and one for the seven survivors, Pat and me. I've been to lots of launches and book signings, but the veterans and people of Branson were amazing -- and eager to get books that had been signed by all of the guys. We sold T-shirts with the cover on the front and a picture of the survivors on the back -- and of course, we sold the accompanying CD as well.
Throughout the week, the guys shook thousands of hands. Pat and I and two of the survivors had the opportunity to be on the pilot episode of a reality TV show being filmed in Branson. We also appeared on a show that Penny Gilley was filming for RFD-TV which is a cable network serving 30 million homes.
On Saturday, most of the survivors and other authors went to Forsythe for breakfast with the local VFW and to be interviewed by a local glossy magazine. George Snodgrass, Jim Yeager, Walt Whitcomb and I appeared on a Pittsburgh PA radio show dedicated to veterans. The host, Ron Morris, gave us a full hour and a half of air time. The guys did very well. It was a first for George and he was very nervous, but the other guys encouraged him and he was able to tell his story. During a break, the host switched to a private line and told me -- this is GREAT radio.
We ran from event to event -- there was a POW Network Gala, a Luau -- a hoe-down. Our guys and Pat rode in the Military Vehicle Preservation Society's jeeps in the Veterans' Day Parade. Evelyn and Paul Harless coordinated that (and each also spoke in the theater -- people enjoyed Paul's presentation on the history of the jeep -- and Evelyn's photography. Two of the Tuskeegee Airmen also spoke in our theater -- George Boyd and Judge Robert Decatur -- both amazing men who truly changed our world. We attended the closing event which was performed by Tony Orlando. We worked the booths -- selling books and meeting folks. We spent hours and hours -- signing hundreds of books -- assembly line like. Every once in a while, Sherm would open the book to a picture of himself before the massacre -- and cry. Or someone would tell a joke and we'd all giggle. Then Pat would crack the whip and we'd all start signing again. It was wonderful.
Most wonderful was the time that we spent with the guys. Pat and I worked so hard to get this book ready for them -- and they loved the attention. It had been 57 years -- but the people of Branson welcomed them home with tenderness. Knowing that much of the proceeds went directly to the guys, folks bought many of our books. That kind of support made us cry again -- well at least that crybaby Pat...
Pat says that we have been getting phone calls from people who bought and read the book -- and wanted to get in touch with one or another of the guys. We are hoping that this kind of attention will bring out new information -- jar memories -- perhaps help the government identify some of the remains, perhaps give families a little more of their lost loved ones. We did have some important information come in the last couple of days, but I'll share that with you after we investigate it further and verify these new stories.
On top of all of this, the Military Writers Society of America held it's events at the same facility -- showing movies, selling books, having an awards banquet -- etc. Lloyd King and Pat worked hard to make sure that all of these events were beautiful and well thought out. They deserve so much praise. To make things even better, Pat and I received an award for Salute -- validating our efforts to write stories about and for veterans.
For me personally, after so much work, I was thrilled that the survivors liked the book -- and took ownership of it. Pat and I had hoped for such -- but you never know of course. It was a special week for me in other ways too -- my husband Johnny made the trip with me and made it so much better for me. Also, our friend Larry Wikoff took photographs of the events -- and as a result of his participation -- has decided to join the contributors to Salute -- as staff photographer.
Even though we are still in prepublication phase, it looks like we'll have to do another printing in order to get books to send to reviewers -- that's so gratifying.
One last thing -- I wanted you all to know how proud I am of Pat. She is an amazing woman who worked her heart out for these guys -- and for me -- and for the MWSA -- and for Branson. You should have seen her on stage. You could tell how much she loved these men -- and wanted the world to know their stories. I'm so lucky that she is my writing partner and co-author.
First, I'll tell you about the event itself. For those of you who are authors, and paid to have ads in Salute, we thank you. We gave out hundreds of copies to the thousands of folks we encountered throughout the week. Vendors village was in the front building of "Celebration City" site -- and there was a theater adjoining it. Red Engine Press and the Military Writers Society of America shared the theater facility as well as manning a booth in the front part of the building. We had our launch and several speakers in the theater itself -- and during the first part of the week, there were author booths in the lobby of the theater as well. During the launch and other events and throughout the week -- the slideshow was always playing 'somewhere'. When possible, it played on two huge screens on either side of the stage. At other times, it played on one or two different laptops at the various booths. (For those of you who were new to the slide show this late in the game, Pat and Everett will be duping the cd and sending you a copy so that you can play it at your events.)
On Monday, two of the survivors (Walt Whitcomb and Valdor John), Pat and I were on a Christian Radio show. The interviewer was wonderful. He maneuvered to get as much air time for Walt and Valdor as possible. We offered prelaunch copies of the book as giveaways and were gratified at how quickly people phoned in to get them. Throughout the week, I had several people mention that they'd heard us on the radio.
Opening ceremony was that afternoon. They showed a video of Sherman Jones' graduation from highschool and introduced Sherm to the crowd. The Lennon Sisters came out and serenaded him. Then, after it was over, Pat and I introduced him to someone very special. Sherman had a friend named Gene Putzier -- who trained with him, went to Korea with him, fought with him, marched with him. In Pyongyang a few days before the massacre, Gene died in Sherman's arms -- crying out for his Momma. Gene's brother and baby sister -- who knew almost nothing about how Gene died for most of the last 57 years -- were there. When we told Sherman who they were -- he grabbed both of them and held them tightly -- wailing for his lost friend. Nancy and Dick Putzier were shocked I think -- but they too cried together with Sherman -- for Gene. That got me and Pat going too. I must say that Pat cries at the drop of a hat...
The newspapers of Branson gave us (and our other author, Eddie Beesley who was a VIP guest of Branson for the week) lots and lots of coverage. Almost every day there was an article or photo of the guys.
On Tuesday, November 6, we launched three books -- Sunchon Tunnel Massacre Survivors, Hodge Wood's "Chum Water" and Mary Nida Smith's (Submarine Vets). At around 9am, I realized that there was no ramp to get either Hodge Wood or Valdor John onto the stage (they are both in wheeled scooters)...I presumed that it was simply stashed away somewhere and approached one of the people in charge of the facility. They asked me when we needed it. Still thinking that they were going to get it out of storage, I said we'd need it at 10am. Here's the amazing thing -- these guys BUILT one for our guests. I was so moved...they carried it in...and waited respectfully until we reached the point in the program when it would be required.
Branson celebrity, Penny Gilley, sang a song and spoke briefly -- inviting the whole audience to her show that evening for free. (After the show that night, Walt and Ed went up on stage and presented her with her own copy of the book.) She also agreed to let us sell copies of the books in her gift shop.
Hodge and Mary each spoke briefly about their books.
Six of the nine survivors were there (Walt Whitcomb, Valdor John, Ed Slater, Jim Yeager, Bill Henninger and Sherman Jones)-- plus one of the men who escaped before the massacre (George Snodgrass). Samuel Clark, a member of the 187th Airborne RCT -- the unit of paratroopers dropped to try and block the retreating North Korean Army and rescue the POWs in the train -- spoke. When I introduced him, he came up on stage and gave me a hug, whispering in my ear, "Pray that I don't mess this up." Then, he told the survivors of the attempt to save them. Weather delayed the drop for six hours. He told them that when they found them -- they found mostly bodies -- and he told them how that felt. With tears in his eyes, he told the survivors that he wanted to personally apologize for failing to get there in time. The audience gasped. Sherman Jones, who'd been shot in the head during the massacre, rocked back and forth in his seat. One of the others cried out -- "it's not your fault." Pat and I choked back sobs.
The Comets (Bill Haley and the Comets were a famous group in the early 1950s) came up on stage and spoke about their new buddies -- the survivors. We had created a cd to accompany the book that included an electronic version of the book, all the photos and maps in color, audio recordings of the men telling their stories -- and "Rock Around the Clock," donated to us by the Comets. They also invited the audience to their two o'clock show -- for free. Amazing.
Then it was time to sign books. We set up two stations on stage -- one for Mary Nida Smith and Hodge Wood and one for the seven survivors, Pat and me. I've been to lots of launches and book signings, but the veterans and people of Branson were amazing -- and eager to get books that had been signed by all of the guys. We sold T-shirts with the cover on the front and a picture of the survivors on the back -- and of course, we sold the accompanying CD as well.
Throughout the week, the guys shook thousands of hands. Pat and I and two of the survivors had the opportunity to be on the pilot episode of a reality TV show being filmed in Branson. We also appeared on a show that Penny Gilley was filming for RFD-TV which is a cable network serving 30 million homes.
On Saturday, most of the survivors and other authors went to Forsythe for breakfast with the local VFW and to be interviewed by a local glossy magazine. George Snodgrass, Jim Yeager, Walt Whitcomb and I appeared on a Pittsburgh PA radio show dedicated to veterans. The host, Ron Morris, gave us a full hour and a half of air time. The guys did very well. It was a first for George and he was very nervous, but the other guys encouraged him and he was able to tell his story. During a break, the host switched to a private line and told me -- this is GREAT radio.
We ran from event to event -- there was a POW Network Gala, a Luau -- a hoe-down. Our guys and Pat rode in the Military Vehicle Preservation Society's jeeps in the Veterans' Day Parade. Evelyn and Paul Harless coordinated that (and each also spoke in the theater -- people enjoyed Paul's presentation on the history of the jeep -- and Evelyn's photography. Two of the Tuskeegee Airmen also spoke in our theater -- George Boyd and Judge Robert Decatur -- both amazing men who truly changed our world. We attended the closing event which was performed by Tony Orlando. We worked the booths -- selling books and meeting folks. We spent hours and hours -- signing hundreds of books -- assembly line like. Every once in a while, Sherm would open the book to a picture of himself before the massacre -- and cry. Or someone would tell a joke and we'd all giggle. Then Pat would crack the whip and we'd all start signing again. It was wonderful.
Most wonderful was the time that we spent with the guys. Pat and I worked so hard to get this book ready for them -- and they loved the attention. It had been 57 years -- but the people of Branson welcomed them home with tenderness. Knowing that much of the proceeds went directly to the guys, folks bought many of our books. That kind of support made us cry again -- well at least that crybaby Pat...
Pat says that we have been getting phone calls from people who bought and read the book -- and wanted to get in touch with one or another of the guys. We are hoping that this kind of attention will bring out new information -- jar memories -- perhaps help the government identify some of the remains, perhaps give families a little more of their lost loved ones. We did have some important information come in the last couple of days, but I'll share that with you after we investigate it further and verify these new stories.
On top of all of this, the Military Writers Society of America held it's events at the same facility -- showing movies, selling books, having an awards banquet -- etc. Lloyd King and Pat worked hard to make sure that all of these events were beautiful and well thought out. They deserve so much praise. To make things even better, Pat and I received an award for Salute -- validating our efforts to write stories about and for veterans.
For me personally, after so much work, I was thrilled that the survivors liked the book -- and took ownership of it. Pat and I had hoped for such -- but you never know of course. It was a special week for me in other ways too -- my husband Johnny made the trip with me and made it so much better for me. Also, our friend Larry Wikoff took photographs of the events -- and as a result of his participation -- has decided to join the contributors to Salute -- as staff photographer.
Even though we are still in prepublication phase, it looks like we'll have to do another printing in order to get books to send to reviewers -- that's so gratifying.
One last thing -- I wanted you all to know how proud I am of Pat. She is an amazing woman who worked her heart out for these guys -- and for me -- and for the MWSA -- and for Branson. You should have seen her on stage. You could tell how much she loved these men -- and wanted the world to know their stories. I'm so lucky that she is my writing partner and co-author.
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