Summer Writers' Event Sponsors 'Red Bull Rising' Blog

The Interlochen Center for the Arts' Summer 2014 series of 4-day writers' retreats has sponsored the Red Bull Rising blog. Scheduled from June 16 to 19 on the center's campus in Northwestern Michigan, series offerings include "From Blog to Book: How to Expand Your Web Log into a Book Manuscript."

The Blog-to-Book retreat will be hosted by Iraq War veteran and author Matt Gallagher.

Other Interlochen Summer 2014 offerings include workshops on short story, memoir, and using art as inspiration. "Spend four days writing new material in the genre of your choice, attending craft talks by award-winning faculty, enjoying lakeside lunches and evening readings, all while making connections in the literary world that will last for years to come," the series website reads.

As a young U.S. Army officer deployed to Iraq in 2007-2008, Gallagher first gained worldwide attention as a military blogger. He later turned his writing into a book-length memoir, "Kaboom:
Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War," which was published in 2010. In 2013, he was co-editor and contributor to "Fire and Forget: Short Stories from the Long War." He currently serves as a writing instructor for Words After War, a New York City-based non-profit organization that seeks to bring civilians and veterans together to discuss literature regarding war and conflict.

"I'm very pleased to help signal-boost the Interlochen summer writers' retreats, and, specifically, Matt Gallager's 'Blog-to-Book' seminars," says Randy "Sherpa" Brown, writer of the Red Bull Rising blog. "We first met through the blogosphere in 2010, and I personally know him to be funny, insightful, and supportive of other writers' journeys, regardless of medium or genre. This would be the perfect opportunity for anyone—not just mil-bloggers—who regularly engages readers through on-line platforms, and who aspire to creating larger manuscripts."

Past sponsors of the Red Bull Rising blog include low-residency MFA in creative writing programs, writers events and conferences, and retail gaming stores.

For more information or to register for the Interlochen writers retreats, click here.

Veteran's Art Shown at Nat'l Guard Memorial Building

Artist Dominic Fredianelli with one of his paintings. PHOTO: NGEF

Visual artist and veteran Dominic Fredianelli, one of three Michigan National Guard soldiers featured in the 2011 documentary "Where Soldiers Come From," recently exhibited his work during a National Guard Education Foundation (N.G.E.F.) legislative workshop reception in Washington, D.C.

The NGEF organization is separate from but co-located with the National Guard Association of the United States, and shares occupancy of the National Guard Memorial Building at One Massachusetts Ave., Washington, D.C., where the event took place.

A gallery of photographs from the event were posted on the NGEF Facebook page here.

According to press materials:

While serving in the National Guard, Dominic deployed to Afghanistan with Michigan's 1431st Engineer Company and performed route clearance duties for nine months as part of the Global War on Terrorism. After returning home, Dominic turned to art as a way of grappling with his experiences during the war. He has completed murals at the National Veterans Art Museum in Chicago, at UC-Santa Barbara and at Finlandia University. He continues to create art that speaks to the mental, physical and psychological impact of combat on today's military veterans.

Fredianelli is currently a student at the Corcoran College of Art and Design.

Places Downrange Where Everyone Knows Your Name

Unless you're regularly danger-close to bad guys and mortar rounds, life downrange is like a combination of high-school and medium-security prison. People make jokes about getting institutionalized: Wake, chow, work, gym, sleep, wash, rinse, repeat.

As with any game that half-mental, people quickly start devising their own mental-wellness strategies. Some people hit the weight rooms twice a day. Some people fall pray (you heard me) to magical thinking: "If we wave this ladle over the convoy, we won't get hit." Still others take up one the few vices they still have available, such video games or fine cigars, and pursue it to passionate excess.

One soldier's war zone, after all, is another's designated smoking area.

On my own 2003 deployment, with the Iowa Army National Guard's 1st Battalion, 133rd Infantry Regiment (1-133rd Inf.), we gathered together to drink with the representatives of our allied nations on so-called "Whiskey Wednesdays." (General Order No. 1 was decidedly not in effect—as we liked to say, we were on a ... diplomatic mission.) The evenings started in a back-patio area of one of our decades-old temporary trailers. We called it the "Bull Pen," and painted our beloved bovine patch on practically every available surface. Beer lamp went on at 1700 hours, and was doused (soused?) by about 2100.

When a Michigan Army National Guard unit moved in after us, the "Vikings" quickly rechristened the Bull Pen as "Vahalla."

Regardless of the choice of one's poisons, or the name of one's dive, the point is to have an excuse—an excuse to get together, to shuck and jive, and complain and make fun, and pretend that being away from home and blowing stuff up is a normal state of affairs.

When I try to remember my buddies at our happiest, I always return to these ritualized bull-sessions, wearing funny hats and issuing silly proclamations and telling stories that were All True and Really Happened.

I count myself lucky to have revisited that magic during my brief Afghan sojourn in 2011.

Mil-blogger and citizen-soldier-journalist Mike Tomberlin was recently elected president of the "Tiki Hut," as well as the Camp Phoenix Chapter of the Tali-banned Cigar Aficionado Club. He also recently pinned on a Combat Action Badge ("CAB"), taking enough time and Internet-ink to make this punny headline: "Catching a CAB in Afghanistan." While holding court, he wears a custom Alabama Pakol hat.

In a recent blog post, Tobmerlin writes:

[The Tiki Hut] has have provided stress relief, an escape, a pick-me-up and a hideout all in one for many of us here. Friendships have been formed there and camaraderie reigns on any given night. All ranks, a variety of nationalities and a cast of characters count themselves among regulars there.

It is truly a special place. Think about the bar from the T.V. show "Cheers" and put that in a war zone, replacing the booze with cigars.

With a little help from the creator of the Doctrine Man!! cartoon, I sent a couple of collector "Baghdad Cigar Club" poker chips to Tomberlin last year. The cartoonist was downrange himself at the time, but in Iraq. On his Facebook page earlier this week, Doctrine Man!! put in a tobacco plug for Cigars for Warriors, an outfit that sends care packages to troops downrange.

(Bonus tip: Doctrine Man!! "Blue Falcon," "Bright Idea Fairy," and "Baghdad Cigar Club" mugs are currently 25 percent off at his "Lair of Mystery" Zazzle store. Use code "LOVEMESALE25.")

If you're giving up smoking for Lent—or even if you're not—you can donate any cigars, cigar-related items (cutters, lighters, humidors), or money to the address below. You can also donate via PayPal via the organization's website.

Cigars For Warriors
115 Daisy Street
Inglis, Fla. 34449-9563

From ashes we come, and from ashes we shall return. It's up to us to live and be well in the spaces in between.

New Video Thanks Readers Who Wrote to Mil-Dogs

Last summer, a brief Midwest Living magazine article regarding 12 deployed Tactical Explosives Detection Dogs ("TEDD") and their handlers got tails wagging, pens flowing, and people talking.

In the current January/February 2013 issue, Editor-in-Chief Greg Philby reports how hundreds of his magazine's readers (and many of their dogs) expressed sentiments of patriotism, thanks, and support for the 2,800 Ohio and Michigan National Guard soldiers of the 37th Infantry "Buckeye" Brigade Combat Team (B.C.T.). The unit was then-deployed to Afghanistan and elsewhere.

"We received more than 400 letters from schoolchildren, veterans, families all across the Midwest and even from family pets," he says in the narration of a companion video, which the magazine produced as a thank-you to those who participated. "All of them share the appreciation of those who serve, the special bond between us and our pets, and the sense of pulling together that truly shows the heart of the Heartland."

Both Philby's January-February "letter from the editor" and the video quote readers' words directly. Here are some examples:

"Dear warriors: As a Vietnam vet, I am familiar with the capabilities and even comforting presence of working dogs," wrote James, from Leawood, Kan. "I just wish the dogs and their humans all the best to be safe and to save lives." 

"As the owner of a therapy dog, I totally understand how dogs can do things people cannot," wrote Nancy and her therapy dog Quincy, from Eagle River, Wis. "I'm certain the bond you've forged with your canine is much more than just a working relationship. I pray you return safely."

The 37th BCT has since returned from deployment, and the magazine has arranged for the Ohio National Guard historian to archive the letters.

Midwest Living to Bundle Mail to 'Buckeye' Mil-dogs, Handlers

Photo: Spc. Zach Laker, Tactical Explosive Detection Dog ("TEDD") handler assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, gives a command to Sassy, his TEDD, while checking a vehicle at Forward Operating Base Griffin, Faryab province, Afghanistan, Feb. 24, 2012. Photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Kimberly Lamb.

*****

This Fourth of July, Midwest Living magazine is encouraging readers of all ages to send messages of support to a group of military dogs and handlers currently deployed to Northern Afghanistan and elsewhere.

The 2,800 men and women of the Ohio Army National Guard’s 37th Brigade Combat Team (37th B.C.T.)—historically called the "Buckeye Brigade"—are the first citizen-soldiers to deploy with military working dogs called “TEDDs.” The acronym stands for “Tactical Explosives Detection Dogs.” Using a variety of techniques, they sniff out bombs while serving overseas.

“Our job is helping to save lives, and being able to do something that machines or people alone can’t do,” says Spc. Devin Cooper, 23, of Columbus, Ohio. “What I like about the assignment is that I always have something to do: When people see my TEDD they always say, ‘I miss my dog back home.’ It’s just good company having him around.”

Published bi-monthly, Midwest Living regularly delivers tips and inspiration on pets, travel, food, home design and gardening. The magazine's editors originally explored the idea of sending "care packages" to the dogs and handlers, but learned that Uncle Sam provides all the doggie gear and food they require.

"This mail project seemed a creative way to recognize and remember our Midwestern citizen-soldiers while they are serving our country overseas," says Executive Editor Trevor Meers. "Focusing on the dogs and their handlers potentially offers people a new way to think about that story—and provides a simple way to act on their patriotic impulses."

Think of it as "mail-call for mil-dogs."

Midwest Living is published by Meredith Corp., Des Moines, Iowa, which also produces Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies Home Journal. Midwest Living reaches approximately 3.4 million readers nationwide.

In the "Discoveries" section of the July/August 2012 issue of Midwest Living, readers are asked to send postcards, letters, and other messages of support to:

Buckeye Brigade
c/o Midwest Living
1716 Locust Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50309

The 37th BCT, historically known as the “Buckeye” brigade and for its distinctive circular shoulder patch (see right), comprises units from the Michigan and Ohio Army National Guards. In addition to a headquarters based in Columbus, Ohio, these include:

• 1st Battalion, 125th Infantry Regiment (1-125th Inf.) Flint, Mich.
• 1st Battalion, 148th Infantry Regiment (1-148th Inf.), Walbridge, Ohio
• 1st Squadron,126th Cavalry Regiment (1-126th Cav.), Wyoming, Mich.
• 1st Battalion, 134th Field Artillery (1-134th FA), Columbus, Ohio
• 237th Brigade Support Battalion (237th BSB), Cleveland, Ohio
• Special Troops Battalion, 37th BCT, Springfield, Ohio

There are 12 dog-and-handler teams deployed throughout the brigade. An Army veterinarian helps the handlers monitor their canine partners’ health. Dogs are carefully issued specific amounts of food each day. Treats are given as reinforcement for jobs well-done. By tradition, the dogs are considered to hold rank one step above their handlers.

Before deploying overseas in January, the teams trained at Vohne Liche Kennels, Inc., Denver, Ind., and in the Arizona’s Mojave desert. “The trainers incorporated stressful combat situations while working you with the dogs, yelling and screaming at you,” laughs Sgt. Anthony Utz, 25, of New Bremen, Ohio. “It was almost like basic training all over again.” Utz is the coordinator for the brigade’s TEDD program.

After the Buckeye units return stateside in fall 2012, the TEDDs will travel to Indiana for retraining and reassignment.