Hi gang:

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!

THE DOCUMENTARY IS A GREAT IDEA !! I FIT IN YOUR THIRD PARAGRAPH ABOVE.

AS FAR AS ANYTHING FROM THIS VET. YOU HAVE ALL THE PICS AND COMMENTS OF MINE

ON "MY PAGE", I LIKE THE TITLE YOU HAVE PICKED FOR THE DOCUMENTARY OR BOOK.

******GO FOR IT GAL!!!!!!******* Rocky

Hey Rocky:

Yup, I got all the goodies on you! Thanks! I also have some of your comments regarding your feelings on the engineers, and I plan to use those as well.

The title of the documentary will still be NO BRIDGE TOO FAR, but the name of the non-profit org will be Proud Daughter Inc, if the name is available. I have to do a search through the state this week to see if I can have the name for the company. Fingers crossed, even though I am not superstitious!

NO BRIDGE TOO FAR!!!

WRONG---SHOULD BE******"NO BRIDGE TO HARD TO BUILD FOR COMBAT ENGINEERS" !!!!!!

ASK ANY COMBAT VETERAN. ROCKY J

Hi Marion!

I think it's great idea, for as you know I'm a Fool for a Documentary! Are you planning to use archival film of the Ardenne's Offensive along with Veteran's interviews? However you do it I'm sure it will be First Rate!

Dogdaddy

Hey Daddy:

This is a big undertaking, oh hell a huge undertaking, but I have to look at it in pieces, chapters, segments and work with ideas as they come to me. As you can see it's now 4:20 AM and I am AWAKE! Most of my inspiration comes to me between the hours of three and five AM. The brain just doesn't shut down. Sometimes it's a real pain in the royal behind, but I guess you can't control creativity. I'll take it as it arrives... Yawn!

I am keeping a log and jotting down ideas regarding music, backgrounds, overlays, sounds effects, etc. I do plan on using archival videos, etc. and that includes footage I recently acquired on VHS, US Staff Report Number 2, regarding the 540th in Italy. I need to get in touch with my private researcher and find out what film is available from NARA in Maryland.

Yes I'm planning on weaving interviews into the film. Some will be oral, some video. One thing I wish I could do is fly around spend a day with each of my vets, but that is NOT feasible. I simply don't have the time, and definitely not the financial resources to do so. I am asking them to provide some footage to me if possible. I already have audio from several of my vets, either supplied to me or recorded by me at some of our reunions.

Now I just have to win the lottery and...

This morning I am continuing my search for authentic WWII sound effects to add to my collection. Many sites have free public-use effects, and several have either fee-based collections or single mp3's you can download. Quite a few good ones out there.

This is going to be a difficult, but very fun project.

Downloading some royalty free music to intersperse into the documentary. So far I have three different instrumental loops to use.

Looking into several sound effects libraries, but Universal Studios has a great one for WWII. It includes such clips as:

Artillery shell landing

Assault rifle - three shots

machine gun - short burst

Squadron bomber and fighter escorts in level flight, steady

Tanks, machine guns, soldiers

Infantry battle with machine gun, rifle fire, artillery shells and explosions, mortar firing, soldiers

Ground battle with heavy artillery barrage, explosions

You get the idea...

I think this is a great idea M1 , ah I would I could help, if you need something from over here just tell me and I run.

Thanks dear, I will keep that in mind. May be "hitting-up" a number of people for favors.