Never-Printed 'Korean War' Comic Books Now on Sale

Two graphic novels commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War are now available in print via on-line retailers, thanks to a successful crowd-funding effort conducted by a group of comic-book artists, veterans, and military supporters last November.

Originally written and drawn on behalf of the U.S. Department of Defense for a June 27, 2013 commemoration, the graphic novels were never printed—possibly due to budget sequestration in 2013. Coincidentally, the Korean War is sometimes called "The Forgotten War," because of the lack of public attention it received during and after the conflict.

The books are available via Amazon.com at these links:

• "Korean War, Vol. 1"
• "Korean War, Vol. 2"

And via Barnes & Noble.com at these links:

• "Korean War, Vol. 1"
• "Korean War, Vol. 2"

Clayton Murwin, founder of Heroes Fallen Studios Inc., is the comic-book impresario who spearheaded the project. "These stories need to be told, they need to be put out there for the public, so that they'll be a lasting legacy," he said during the fund-raising campaign.

After copyright had been returned to the artists, Murwin and his fellow creators sought just $2,500 to help prepare the two finished, 50-page volumes for publication via a print-on-demand service.

Contributors to the Korean War volumes include: Jerry Bingham, Valierie Finnigan, Fletcher Horton, Levi Erickson, Scott Lee, Richard Meyer, Travis Miller, Clayton Murwin, Dan Monroe, Tom Orzechowski, Brian Shearer, Le Beau L. Underwood, and Eric White. A number of contributors are military veterans themselves.

Murwin recommends the books for most ages—the graphic novels aren't too graphic—although he cautions parents to preview the works before handing them off to younger children. After all, one can't accurately depict war without depicting a certain amount of violence. "[The project is] not so much about the violence," Murwin says, however, "it's about the sacrifice and dedication these veterans put through their service."

"Korean War, Vol. 1" tells stories centered around the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir, which occurred in November and December 1950. The book is written and illustrated by Richard C. Meyer, colored by Eric White, and lettered by Tom Orzechowski. Meyer is a U.S. veteran of the Iraq War, having served in the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment from 2000 to 2004. He served in the U.S. Army from 2006 to 2010, and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He previously wrote and illustrated the 2008 comic "No Enemy, but Peace," which tells the story how U.S. Marine Sgt. Marco Martinez earned the Silver Star at the 2003 Battle of At-Tarmiyah, Iraq.

Meyer's Chosin Reservoir narrative moves from the ground war to that of Lt. j.g. Jesse Brown, the U.S. Navy's first African-American aviator, as well as his squadron-mate Lt. Thomas Hunter. Flying carrier-based F4U "Corsairs," Brown and Hunter were providing air-support to U.S. forces encircled at Chosin Reservoir when Brown's aircraft was hit by enemy fire. Hudner deliberately crash-landed to aid Brown, who was trapped in his cockpit. Hudner was later awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions, while Brown was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.

"Korean War, Vol. II" comprises four stories derived from interviews with Korean War veterans conducted by Gulf War veteran and PTSD-awareness activist Scott Lee. Those stories include:

• "Hill 472," a story of U.S. Army Cpl. Ronald Rosser, a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Cover art by Jerry Bingham, colors by Eric White, script by Valerie Finnigan and Scott Lee, pencils by Dan Monroe, inks by Brian Shearer, and letters by Tom Orzechowski.

• "Guts," a story of U.S. Air Force pilot Maj. Gen. Frederick "Boots" Blesse. Qualified on multiple fighter aircraft, inluding the F-86 "Sabre," Blesse is the nation's sixth-ranking fighter jet ace.

• "Seventeen," a story of U.S. Army Pvt. David Mills, who was 17 years old when he was taken prisoner during the defense of Outpost Harry.

• "Valor," a story of U.S. Army Cpl. Rodolfo "Rudy" Hernandez, who was once declared dead after the defense of Hill 420, about 15 miles south of the current border. During that action, Hernandez fixed his bayonet and charged, killing six enemy fighters before losing consciousness from grenade, bayonet and bullet wounds. He is a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

For more information about Heroes Fallen Studios Inc., click here. Or visit the organization's blog here.

For the Heroes Fallen Inc. Facebook page, click here

Pairs of Parents Launch PTSD-Awareness Events June 7

As "Operation Engage America," two pairs of parents are partnering to provide California and Iowa military families with resources about Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and veteran suicide. Together with veterans advocates, activists, and organizations, Jean and Howard Somers of San Diego, Calif., and Lisa and Jeff Naslund, Galva, Iowa, will host 4-hour information meetings in their respective states on June 7.

In the years to come, their goal is to see more "Community Days of Support, Awareness, and Education for Post-Traumatic Stress" every June, which is PTSD Awareness Month.

Daniel Somers during a deployment to Iraq. PHOTO: Somers family

Location for the California event is:

American Legion Post 731
7245 Linda Vista Rd.
San Diego, Calif. 92111

Location for the Iowa event is:

VFW Post 9662
1309 N.E. 66th Ave.,
Des Moines, Iowa 50313

California Army National Guard Sgt. Daniel Somers, 30, of Phoenix, Ariz. was a military intelligence soldier, rock musician, and Iraq War veteran. He died in June 2013.

Somers' parents subsequently urged the federal Department of Veterans Affairs to create more awareness and efficiencies regarding PTSD and veteran suicide.

Dillion Naslund during a deployment to Afghanistan. PHOTO: Naslund family 

Iowa Army National Guard Sgt. Dillion Naslund, 25, of Galva, Iowa was an infantry soldier, construction worker, and had deployed to Afghanistan in 2010-2011 with the 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division (34th Inf. Div.). His family's and community's reactions to his December 2013 death was the subject of a television documentary broadcast earlier this year, and previously mentioned on the Red Bull Rising blog.

In press materials related to the June 7 events, the Somers write:

We have learned countless facts over the past ten months: Among them, PTSD is not military-specific. It affects our first responders, victims of domestic, child and sexual abuse, even some of those who’ve experienced natural disasters and automobile accidents. Additionally, there are thousands of people who sincerely want to help. It is estimated that there are 44,000 volunteer organizations in the United States dedicated to helping service members and their families.

So, you may ask, what is the problem? The problem is visibility.

As parents of a married service member, we had no idea that there were resources for us, resources that could have helped us understand what our son went through, what he was going through and how to help him. We had no idea that we could have called the Veterans Administration and asked to speak with his mental health providers to give them a clearer picture of what changes we saw in Daniel. We had no idea that the Vet Center could have provided us insight and guidance in how to talk to him about his war experiences.

There has been much progress at the VA and DoD since Daniel last “touched” the government system that should have helped him. There is much still to be done. There are those 44,000 organizations trying to fill the many gaps. But how do you know who they are, how do you find them, how do you even know they are there for you?

Participating organizations include:

• American Legion

• Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America

• Paralyzed Veterans of America

• San Diego VA Medical Center

• VA Central Iowa Health Care System

• Veterans of Foreign Wars

For more information about Operation Engage America, visit the organizational website here.

For information about the California event, contact Jean or Howard Somers via e-mail: oea.sandiego@gmail.com

For information about the Iowa event, Lisa Naslund via e-mail: jelinasl@schallertel.net

June 1 Deadline for 3rd Vonnegut Library Lit-Journal

The editors of a third annual edition of the Kurt Vonnegut Memorial Library's literary journal, "So It Goes," are soliciting new and previously published work on a theme of "the creative process." Poetry, prose, photography, and artwork may all be submitted.

Deadline for submissions is June 1, 2014. The printed publication will likely be released in November 2014.

Unlike other contests, journals, and anthologies featured on the Red Bull Rising blog, this opportunity is not limited to military veterans, service members, or families.

In the past, editors have solicited writers with the note, "Keep in mind that we are looking for your unique voice and not just an imitation of Vonnegut's trademark humorous humanism." The first two editions have notably skewed toward work previously published by established writers.

The library's inaugural edition, organized on a theme of "War and Peace," was previously reviewed on the Red Bull Rising blog. The second annual edition's theme was "humor." Each is available for purchase via the library's on-line store, as well as its storefront location: The Emelie Building, 340 N. Senate Avenue, Indianapolis, Ind.

For more background on the "So It Goes" journal, as well as author Kurt Vonnegut's shared birthday with Armistice Day (November 11), click here.

Submission guidelines include:

• Both new and previously published works are acceptable.

• Use 12-point Times New Roman font.

• Format as double-spaced document for prose; use of single-space is acceptable for poetry.

• Simultaneous submissions are allowed with notification.

• Submissions are limited to one work of prose (maximum 1,500 words) or up to five poems, photographs and/or works of art. Group multiple poems into one document.

• Include cover letter with brief biography.

Questions may be directed via e-mail to: soitgoes@vonnegutlibrary.org.

The library organization maintains a Facebook page here, and a website here.

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Note: This blog content regarding military-themed writing is underwritten by the Interlochen Center for the Arts' Summer 2014 series of 4-day writers' retreats, including Matt Gallagher's "From Blog to Book: How to Expand Your Web Log into a Book Manuscript," June 16 to 19. The Interlochen campus is located 15 minutes southwest of Traverse City, Mich. In addition to other published work, Gallagher is the author of 2010's non-fiction "Kaboom: Embracing the Suck in a Savage Little War." For more information on all of the 2014 writers' retreats, click here.