Archive for the ‘Veterans organizations’ category

A Hidden Danger for Veterans

The brave men and women who have served their country are modern day heroes. Fighting for freedom has never come easy, nor does it now. According to the United States Department of Veteran Affairs, there are currently 25 million individuals who have served in the United States Armed Forces—THANK YOU!!

Unfortunately, literally hundreds of thousands, if not millions of these heroes were exposed to asbestos-containing materials during their services, and are only now—sometimes 50 years later—experiencing what that can mean.

What is asbestos?

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A Short History of Fireworks and Veteran’s Day

An instrument that explodes using a fuse is called a firework. Some are used for exploding on the ground and some are launched into the air for exploding. Fireworks are for display and celebration purposes or for scaring away the birds. When we think about fireworks, war comes to our mind. There is a public holiday in US to honor the service men and women who served in defense of the nation. It is called Veteran’s Day.

When we look into the history of fireworks, they were invented by the Chinese over 2000 years ago. Chinese were the first to use fireworks although early fireworks were very different from the fireworks of today. It was discovered that green bamboo was used to explode on an open fire caused by the air pockets trapped inside the structure of the bamboo stalk and it was known for scaring people and wild animals.

The fireworks industry was developed in China by 1200 and hundreds of manufacturers were constantly making efforts to improve the technology of fireworks. This was significantly important to the Chinese military who would often win the battles because of its strategic use to frighten the enemy.

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A Message to Military and Veterans Organizations

Over the past few months, I have contacted many veterans organization to gain their support for my new military series, Operation Home Base. Although they liked the premise and the entertainment value of OHB, most felt that the conspiracy would reflect badly on their organization and the military in general. I am writing this open letter to them clarify my intentions and goals.

Operation Home Base is not a documentary or a reality show. A documentary couldn’t possibly tell the heart stories of those who serve. They are great at giving facts and information, but it takes time for the viewer to see beyond the surface and to care about the characters. When Henry Blake died on MASH, everyone mourned his loss much more than the soldiers that came through the 4077 as patients. It was not that the viewers didn’t care about the soldiers, they just got to know and love Henry. The members of Operation Home Base–Deek, Martin, Walter, Randi, Elaine and the rest will be the continuity that the audience will be able to relate to as family members, friends or the person they see in the mirror; because of that simple fact, they will care about what happens to them just a little more. And like with Henry, when one of them is injured, it will affect them on a deeper level. Although OHB will be dealing with real issues and situations, it is not a Reality Show. Reality shows have very little to do with reality; I see them as exploitative of people and situations. OHB is a scripted show that is first and foremost about people and the human condition. I know where the show is going and how I’m going to get it there.

Although the conspiracy and the characters of OHB organization are fictional, the stories they will be dealing with are based on real life situations. Unless a vet or active duty military personnel does something really naughty, their stories don’t make the front page. Although I will also be using some of those, most vets and military stories don’t make the news at all and if they do, it’s somewhere on the back pages. In real life, a Marine’s therapy dog was killed, family members did get their letters back marked “Returned to sender. Deceased, family homes are being illegally foreclosed; it has all happened and so much more. OHB will call attention to these kinds of stories.

» Read more: A Message to Military and Veterans Organizations