Podcaster Seeks Funding for Veteran-Suicide Series

Marine veteran, cancer survivor, and podcaster Timothy Lawson is seeking to crowd-fund a 12-episode series focusing on veteran suicide. "Many of my guests would not feel comfortable in front of a camera, nor do I think their stories would be best presented through print," he says in a Kickstarter video. "Podcasting is a great medium for this."

According to the project's Kickstarter page:

The title of this project is "1, 2, Many" because we have lost one too many service members this way without changing course in how we deal with the issues at hand. But it is also called "1, 2, Many" because the veterans battling depression and suicidal thoughts often hide their struggles; yet once we discover there is one person in our life who has been affected by this, we find that we know a second person, and a third, and many, many more.

Lawson, who is studying broadcast journalism at American University, Washington, D.C., calls the project a mix of journalism and story-telling. He also currently hosts three on-going podcasts, including one for Veteran Empire. "This isn't about the awareness, this isn't about the cause," he says on the Kickstarter video. "This is about giving the listener an audible experience, that will give them a better understanding ... that will make them feel more connected to the stories, the experiences, and the insights on veteran suicides."

Lawson is seeking $6,000 to complete his project, and would release the podcasts starting in June. As of this writing, he is nearly halfway to his crowd-funding objective. The Kickstarter window closes Wed., Mar. 19.

A Facebook page for the project is here.

Writing Event for Veterans, Eastern Iowa, March 28-30

PHOTO: Erik Ostrom via Flickr

If you're not already scheduled to run the 4-mile "Warrior Challenge" urban obstacle course that weekend, a fifth "Writing My Way Back Home" weekend writing workshop for military service members, veterans, and families will be conducted in Eastern Iowa, March 28-30. This year, the venue is the recently renovated Veterans Memorial Building in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The free 3-day workshop offers an opportunity for writer-veterans at all levels of experience to exchange ideas and information. The focus is on exploring military themes and topics through fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and more.

Attendees may choose to attend all sessions, or opt to use some of the available time to work with others on writing projects. The atmosphere is usually relaxed and low-key. Total attendance fluctuates between 30 and 50 people. Attendees may have opportunities to share some meals prepared at the venue. Also, there is usually a scheduled reading event open to the public.

For more insights into the potential "Writing My Way Back Home" workshop experience, see these Red Bull Rising blog posts regarding the 2011 and 2013 events.

While the event is free, on-line registration is required here. A Facebook page for the event is here.

A organizational Facebook page for the "Writing My Way Back Home" non-profit is here.

In the past, the group's weekend workshops have been conducted on or near the University of Iowa campus, Iowa City. This year marks the first time the workshop will be conducted in Cedar Rapids.

Originally constructed in 1920, the Veterans Memorial Building also served as the Cedar Rapids center of government until floods damaged the structure in 2008. The building is located on May's Island, in the middle of the Cedar River. After a $20 million renovation, the recently reopened facility is now home to the Iowa Veterans' Welcome Center, Midwest Military Outreach, and other veterans-service organizations, and contains office, exhibit, meeting, and performance spaces.

The address of the building is: Veterans Memorial Building, 50 2nd Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52401.

The building's exterior features a sculpture of an eternal flame atop the structure. Inside, there is a stained glass window designed by American regionalist painter Grant Wood, a Cedar Rapids native.

Recently, a traveling art exhibit regarding Military Sexual Trauma (M.S.T.) was installed in the building. In "Project Retrospoect: Flipping the Script on Rape," a Wisconsin-based organization called Survivors Empowered Through Art (SETA) presents a collection of artwork related to sexual assault in the military.

'Warrior Challenge' is 4-mile Urban Obstacle Course

Featuring a 4-mile urban obstacle course and raising funds for the Fisher House and other veteran causes, the University of Iowa Veterans Association (U.I.V.A.) will conduct its Third Annual Warrior Challenge in Iowa City, Iowa, Sun., March 30, 2014. Beginning at 10 a.m., waves of competitors will start every 10 minutes.

In addition to other programs, the Fisher House Foundation funds a network of comfort homes, located near medical facilities, where military and veterans’ families can stay at no cost while a loved one is receiving treatment.

Obstacles at the 2014 Warrior Challenge will include:

• The "Ironmen's Revenge" (A stair climb at Kinnick Stadium)

• Cat's Cradle

• Tunnel Dash

• "Warrior Haul" (400-meter sandbag carry)

Individuals or teams of four may compete. Team categories include: men's, women's, co-ed, Reserve Officers' Training Corps (R.O.T.C.), and Student Veterans Association (S.V.A.) teams.

There will be an awards ceremony for top overall finishers in all divisions, and the top 3 individual finishers in each age group. First-place finishers in each division will be awarded a unique golden helmet trophy.

Until March 17, registration is $40 for non-military, $30 for present and former military. Fees increase $10 each for same-day registration.

Race expo, packet pick-up, and same-day registration will be before the race from 7 to 9:30 a.m., at the university's recreation building, 930 Stadium Dr., Iowa City.

A post-race party will be held approximately 2 p.m. at the Vine Tavern and Eatery, 39th 2nd St., Coralville.

A website for the event can be found here.

A Facebook event page can be round here.