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Archive for the ‘Veterans’ Category

Country Traditionalist Jo Smith’s New Single “Ammunition” Available Now

Sunday, August 14th, 2022

WYOMING, SMITH’S FULL LENGTH DEBUT ALBUM PRODUCED BY BRANDON HOOD,  SLATED FOR RELEASE ON 10/21 

Nashville, TN (August 8, 2022) – Singer/songwriter and traditionalist Jo Smith has always created incredible art and her new project is no exception.  The main difference this time around is the additions to Smith’s resume; working on the front lines in Somalia for a year, joining the Navy as an Intelligence Officer, getting married and having a baby boy.  A haunting sashay delivered with silver tinted vocals and a hint of Santa Fe flavor, “Ammunition” is decidedly pointed in its message: talk is cheap and potential is nothing if it goes unrealized. With just enough tinge of Miranda Lambert in her vocals to bring in the comparison, Smith stays firmly in her own lane and owns it in a way only a superstar can. “Ammunition,” written by Smith and Josh O’Keefe and produced by Brandon Hood and from the highly anticipated forthcoming album Wyoming, is available on Friday, August 12.

“Ammunition is my favorite track on the record because the musicians captured the elusive combo of old and new, and created a perfect foundation for the song, which is a new take on a timeless sentiment,” explains Smith. “I believe country music fans, like myself, are increasingly progressive these days, but never forget their roots and their core values.  Ammunition is all about that.”

Pre-save here.  

Last year, Smith released “Wyoming” featuring the incomparable Vince Gill and “Poor Lil Heart,” to much media, DSP and industry support. These songs along with “Ammunition” are included on Smith’s highly-anticipated forthcoming full length album Wyoming. The nine-song collection displays the peaks and valleys of life, love, family all set to the beautiful backdrop of the Rocky Mountains. From the heartbreak melodies of No More Cowboys, to the freeing nature of I Like This Ring, this album is sure to connect. If the title track “Wyoming” ft. Vince Gill is any indication of the future, Smith will have us hanging on the line for what is next.

As the album Wyoming attests, Smith has been able to keep ahold of that traditional timeless thing that makes music last. Smith’s music possesses a timeless beauty that grows out of uncanny ability to tell stories that balance the emotional depths of traditional country and soul with a deep desire to deliver songs passionately to fans searching for songs that express universal feelings of longing, loss, hope, and love. As her first full length album, Jo Smith could not be more excited and grateful for this project to take on a life of its own.

About Jo Smith

Jo Smith’s songs grow out of her love for people and her love for the world around her. Smith left SMACKSongs and she began traveling around the country to play in listening rooms and small clubs.  Smith also spent a year in Somalia, where she lived in a shipping container for a year in a compound in Mogadishu, the most dangerous city in the world.  She wrote reports for the U.S. Department of State Counterterrorism Bureau about the progress of Somali police and army training programs. She says, “my time in Somalia was beautiful and sad and meaningful and inspiring.”  Her work there enabled her to fund her forthcoming first independent album. 

Named one of Rolling Stone’s 10 New Artists You Need To Know in and CMT’s Next Women of Country 2018—, Jo Smith is a soulful and gritty songwriter from south Georgia, and she makes music that is an extension of herself. A passionate storyteller, Jo remains inspired by the countless hours she spent spinning her dad’s vast collection of vinyl records as a child growing up on her family’s cattle farm. She started singing when she was 3, and by the time she was in high school Smith made a conscious decision to focus on music.

Smith has worked with RCA Records and Shane McAnnally’s SMACKSongs. Her music has been a Highway Find on Sirius XM’s The Highway and was named Nashville Lifestyles’ Ones to Watch and Rolling Stone Country’s “New Artists You Need to Know.” Smith was inducted into CMT’s Next Women of Country class of 2018.

For more info and tour dates, visit www.josmithmusic.com.

FMJ Creations

Thursday, July 28th, 2022

FMJ Creations is another great SOF Veteran owned company which crafts high quality leather patches made exclusively with American materials. FMJ is named after the company’s two owners and their dog Jack.

www.fmjcreations.com

Graveyard Designs Skull Stand

Thursday, July 21st, 2022

Graveyard Designs is a 100% Australian forces veteran owned business. Their products take inspiration from service in the Australian Special Forces and life lived on the edge with one foot in the grave.

Platatac is proud to team up with Graveyard Designs with an exclusive collaboration and launch a special edition of their highly sought after Skull Stand, a perfect mix of modern abstract geometry and skeletal remains to proudly display your hard earned beret, slouch hat or cap.

Available now in Black, White and luminous blue and green…if you dare.

Eighth Order Announces Partnership with Boot Campaign to Support Military Community

Wednesday, July 20th, 2022

July 20, 2022 – Eighth Order, a veteran-owned company dedicated to telling the stories of combat veterans through the threads of their uniforms, is proud to announce their retail partnership with the national nonprofit Boot Campaign to raise support for veterans and military families in need of individualized care.

Beginning July 20th, proceeds from Eighth Order’s Long and Short sleeve button down Mission Shirts and Mission Golf Polos purchased through Boot Campaign’s online store, will benefit the organization’s mission-driven programs that treat the root cause of hidden wounds of war as well as ease financial strain during the holiday season to produce quantifiable, long-lasting and life-changing results.

“We couldn’t be more honored to align ourselves with an organization like Boot Campaign, that has shown an incredible commitment to the military and their families over the years,” stated Will Romes co-founder of Eighth Order. “The veteran community has given so much to this country, and Boot Campaign has focused itself entirely on supporting them and their families. As a veteran-owned company, we are proud to give back to America’s military community.”

“At Boot Campaign, we want every man or woman who has laced up their boots in service to our country to know that their life, their service and their sacrifices matter,” said Shelly Kirkland, CEO of Boot Campaign. “Partnering with Eighth Order not only gives Americans another way to outwardly honor the stories of those who served, but also supports veterans seeking care and treatment through our individualized programs.”

Last WWII Medal of Honor Recipient To Lie In Honor At Capital Rotunda

Wednesday, July 6th, 2022

According a joint announcement from Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority LeadeR Chuck Schumer, World War Two Veteran and retired Marine CW4 Woodrow “Woody” Williams will lie in honor in the United States Capitol Rotunda.


Photo from National WWII Museum.

Woody Williams, the last surviving World War II Medal of Honor recipient, was a hero of World War II, serving in the United States Marine Corps and fighting in the Pacific Theater.  Best known for his valiant service at the Battle of Iwo Jima, Woody was awarded the military’s highest decoration for combat service, the Medal of Honor.  After the war, he devoted his life to caring for veterans and their families, working to bring Gold Star Families Memorial Monuments to more than a hundred communities across the country.

“Woody Williams embodied the best of America: living a life of duty, honor and courage,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi said.  “His fearless valor at Iwo Jima and throughout the Pacific Theater helped power an American victory over fascism in the Second World War and earned him a deeply deserved Medal of Honor.  When Woody lies in honor under the Capitol Dome, it will be with immense gratitude for his service that the Congress will pay tribute to this legendary hero — and all of the patriots who fought for our nation in World War II.”

“Woody Williams was an American hero who embodied the best of our country and the greatest generation,” said Majority Leader Schumer. “This is only a small tribute to someone who has made as impactful contributions to America as Woody and all our brave soldiers who fought against tyranny and defended our country in World War II. Whether it was for his acts of bravery in combat or his tireless advocacy for all veterans and their families, Woody made our entire country, especially his fellow West Virginians, proud.”

Currently, the casket of the West Virginia native is in the State Capitol in Charleston. CW4 Williams will take his place of honor in the nation’s Capitol after Congress returns from their summer recess.

H/T to W McN

The Heinlein for Heroes Project

Tuesday, July 5th, 2022

Since it’s the day after July 4th, did you know that Robert Heinlein graduated from the US Naval Academy and was a Lieutenant in the Navy until TB caused his medical retirement? “The Lieutenant” was fiercely patriotic and even though he was not eligible for active duty during WWII, he was a civilian engineer at the Philadelphia Naval Yards so he could do his part. He always supported our military, but since Robert is no longer with us, The Heinlein Society pays it forward in his name by sponsoring The Heinlein for Heroes project (H4H). H4H sends paperback Heinlein / SF books to active duty military serving overseas. They also send hardback Heinlein / SF books to VA Hospitals and other veterans groups in the United States. So far, they have shipped over 38,000 books, but to continue to do that they need your help! The majority of funding comes from individuals like you who join The Heinlein Society. Yearly dues for a full membership are $45.00 and are tax deductible in the US. If that’s not enough, all regular and lifetime members will be eligible to win a complete Virginia Edition of Robert Heinlein’s work in just a few short months. Joining is easy at The Heinlein Society website.

www.heinleinsociety.org/membership

New Act Gives Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Victims Relief for a Limited Time

Sunday, June 26th, 2022

Beasley Allen lawyers are working to help anyone who lived, worked, or served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune maximize the benefits of the new Act by pursuing litigation against the federal government.

Montgomery, Ala. (June 23, 2022) – Congress has passed the Camp Lejeune Justice Act, which applies to anyone who lived, worked, or served at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune between 1953 to 1987, including military personnel, guardsmen, reservists, military family members, and civilian employees who worked on the base. The Act is designed to help anyone who suffered injuries or death from exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune to bring a claim within two years from when the Act becomes effective. President Biden is expected to sign the Act in the coming weeks. Beasley Allen lawyers are working with clients eligible for relief under this Act and are pursuing litigation against the federal government on their behalf.

“Our clients and others dedicated their lives to serving our country; in return, they were poisoned with hazardous chemicals and left to suffer life-threatening injuries,” said Beasley Allen attorney Julia Merritt.

From 1953 to 1987, more than one million military service personnel and their families were exposed to contaminated water at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune and Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River in North Carolina. The water was contaminated with volatile organic compounds, degreasers, chemicals used on heavy machinery, and more than 70 other highly toxic substances. The government knew about this contamination but took no action, ignoring warnings from experts, site inspections and reports, and comments from military service members and their families that the water tasted of chemicals.

“68 years after the contamination period started and 34 years after it ended, Congress finally acknowledged the damage the United States caused to its military population at Camp Lejeune and MCAS New River. Now, victims have only a short time to bring claims,” said Beasley Allen attorney Trisha Green. “Unfortunately, many of the victims are unaware of this Act.”

Any person that resided at Camp Lejeune or MCAS New River for at least 30 days between August 1953 and December 1987 and has a serious illness, miscarriage, or birth defect is potentially eligible for disability, health care, and compensation.

Common injuries include:

? Bladder Cancer

? Breast Cancer

? Cervical Cancer

? Esophageal Cancer

? Kidney Cancer

? Liver Cancer

? Lung Cancer

? Ovarian Cancer

? Stomach Cancer

? Birth Defects and Birth Injuries

? Miscarriage

? Multiple Myeloma and other Myelodysplastic Syndromes

? Adult Leukemia

? Aplastic Anemia and other Bone Marrow Conditions

? Parkinson’s Disease

? Renal Toxicity

? Neurobehavioral Effects

? And Death

The contaminated water was used for drinking, cooking, and bathing in enlisted family housing, barracks, schools, base hospitals, recreational areas, and administrative offices. Any individual who was present at Camp Lejeune during these years, including veterans, family members, civilian workers, reservists, and guardsmen may be eligible for relief under the Camp Lejeune Justice Act.

Beasley Allen lawyers representing the plaintiffs are Toxic Torts Section Head Rhon Jones, Matt Petitt, Merritt, and Green.

About Beasley Allen Law Firm

Founded in 1979, Beasley Allen Law Firm is a leader in complex plaintiff litigation nationwide. We work with attorneys and clients nationwide and have offices located in Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; Mobile, Alabama and Montgomery, Alabama. Our award-winning attorneys live by our creed of “helping those who need it most.” For more information about our firm, please visit us online at www.beasleyallen.com.

Blade Show 22 – American Service Knife

Monday, June 6th, 2022

American Service Knife is a new multi-tool brand created by Marine Veteran and renowned knife maker Greg Medford.

This model is the Jefferson. It features Orange scales, Drop Point Blade, Chisel, and Bottle Opener. However, the knives are modular and the components as well as scales can be swapped out.

Like the name says, these are American made. Their steels are powdered stainless alloys from Niagara Specialty Metal in upstate New York, the Titanium they use is mined in Ohio and their plastic injection molded scales are made in Scottsdale, Arizona from American made plastic material suppliers.

www.askknife.com