Been doing a lot of thinking, mulching, brain-crunching and such over the last several weeks. Been tossing around some great ideas, or what I hope are great ideas, and think I finally arrived at a conclusion after waking up today at 3:30 AM!
I've been strongly thinking about creating a documentary instead of writing the book first. Why? Well for one it will give me more creative latitude. Second, I will be able to reach a much broader audience. Three, I can get it out on the market much faster. Four, it will cut my cost factor because I already have the software program which will allow me to produce it myself, and I won't have to rely on a third party to publish it, as I would with a book.
This also allows me to get a product out to the WWII vets quicker than a book. I still plan on doing the book, but as a supplement to the documentary at a later date. As many of my vets remind me; we won't be around too much longer, so... With that in mind...
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I am also going to talk with my lawyer next week regarding the formation of a non-profit organization. With a non-profit I am more likely to get private and public funding for my projects since anyone making contributions will get a tax-deductible deduction. Non-profits are also more likely to get grants. It really makes sense.
One name I am throwing around for my non-profit org is Proud Daughter, Inc. Lee liked the name when I tossed it out this morning.
This post is also a plea to all my vets, and their families; if you have any stories, photos, diaries, etc. to share, DO IT NOW. I realize that it's sometimes difficult to get items together to send to me, but time is of the essence. I am going to spend all fall and winter working on this documentary and if you want to be included FOREVER in this project, I gotta hear from you now and not later!!!
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I am also encouraging people to grab a video camera or a tape recorder and put it on CD or DVD and mail it to me. If doesn't have to be fancy, or long, but any content is greatly appreciated. Have a family member of friend record you sitting on the couch and talking about any aspect of the war. If you need some coaching, print out a copy of my QUESTIONS FOR VETS, and comment about one, two, three, or as many as you would like. Turn on a tape recorder, or turn on the microphone on your computer and record some feelings or recollections from the war years. Anything. I would love to include it in the documentary. Don't worry about quality as I will be editing. I just want input!!!
If you are thinking of submitting anything to me at all, try and get it to me by the end of the year (this year that is!). I'm shooting for that deadline. THANKS!
This is from Reg Jans "Lennon". Sounds great Reg and btw, best wishes to you on your wedding day tomorrow. Our best to you and Anne!
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Hey,
You received my mail about my upcoming activities . BB Tours will be a fact starting January 2008. To make sure there will be no misunderstandings I shall explain how BB Tours will operate .
- There will be no changes for me right now because I’m already touring Bastogne every 1 weekend out of 2 ., since July 2007 .
I’m always very helpfull and ready to go out to tour for free .
The prices for gas are growing over my head so I had to make a decision …
- I started up BB Tours with a special purpose : To Keep History alive , and why not raise some funds for the good goal ?
I will keep my full-time job but simply start to charge for the tours. This way I keep my expenses paid .
- It will be a Non-Profit operation . This means All profits will be used for good purposes like monuments , veterans organisations , caretaking of memorialls , free dinners for vets visiting ETO battlefields ….. and much more …
- I shall not try to compete with the major companies who offer “original “tours and charge a lot of money …. . I just keep doing what I’m used to do . Which is exploring the battlefields and make the tourmembers relive history .
I go with mouth to mouth advertising . This way there will be a social selection and I will get to tour with people who actually DO care about history.
- As for now I can only offer Bastogne tours . The Northern Shoulder isn’t my cake yet .
- I hope this way I can contribute to keep history alive .
- I do not expect a big rush , but I prefer to mahe some bucks for the vets …
This is the liberty ship I took to Leyte in the Phillipines, on way to Korea
Marion's note: Hi Papa. I moved this from the Shooting the Breeze Section. That is just for general discussion, not war related items.
I also made the photo much smaller. We have to keep the photo sizes relatively small. I request that everyone only uploads files 800 X 600 or smaller. This keeps my server fees down. Thanks!
The following was sent to me this evening by Capt John Fallon, 36th Combat Engineer
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WE all know that Rudyard Kipling wrote the Road to Mandalay, and Gunga Din and hundreds more but did you know that he wrote a poem about us.......well, not exactly but check this out.
SAPPERS
When the Waters were dried and the Earth did apear
(It's all one said the Sapper)
The Lord He created the Engineer
Her Majesty's Royal Engineer
With the Rank and Pay of a Sapper
When the Jews had a fight at the foot of a hill
Young Joshua ordered the sun to stand still
For he was a Captain of Engineers
Her Majesty's Royal Engineers
With the Rank and Pay of a Sapper
WE make 'em the bridges their wells and their huts
And the telegraph wire the enemy cuts
And it's blamed on Her Majesty's Royal Engineers
With the Rank and Pay of a Sapper
They send us up front with a fuse and a mine
To blow up the gates that are rushed by the line
Yes blown by Her Majesty's Royal Engineers
With the Rank and Pay of a Sapper
Well maybe it wasn't his best but it beats the heck out of anything we ever heard about us
