Ok, in short, I would like to obtain photos and the names of all the fallen soldiers killed in the war with Iraq for a video I am putting together for charity. I know I saw a TV feature where they spent hours showing the photos and names of fallen soldiers from this war, but I forgot what station/program it was. Now I'll go into more detail if you care to read on.
I was traveling last year and I heard on the local WDC news that they were expanding Arlington Cemetery to make room for 10's of thousands of those people who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, so that we can all live the lives we lead here. Then I heard that the families only receive around 10 grand for the death of their family member who gave his/her life defending our country. You don't have to agree with the war. That's not what this is about. Whether or not you agree we should be involved in this is not an issue. The issue is honoring those who have given their lives in action defending our rights to live in a free society and getting to live the lives that we all some times take for granted.
I was very moved and disturbed to say the least when I saw the names and photos of all of these fallen soldiers. They are not just numbers. They are people like you and I with dreams, families, etc. I sat and thought what I could do to help financially aid their families and loved ones to show my appreciation for what they have done.
I am not a rich man. I work 7 days/nights a week, but the dollar amount I could donate would make a very small dent in aid to this 'cause.
So, I thought if I could write a song and give ALL the proceeds to the best charity I can find that would make the charity a lot more money than I could give personally. I have to try to get a lot of exposure for this so I can make the charity the most amount to money possible.
I approached the recording artist I tour with about this idea and he completely agreed and we have written a song together that will be released on a CD later this year. In short, it's about a soldier away from home at Christmas time (it's a Christmas CD) and how he feels and why he is there. We were careful not to make it too depressing and wording it in such a way that it could apply to many of us who can't be home for Christmas, therefore applying to a larger audience and therefore selling more CD's and making the Charity more money. That's all I care about.
So, I want to make a music video of the 3+ minute song featuring all those who gave their lives for our country. I'm not sure how I will fit all of them into such a short video...maybe infinity cam or the like showing several at a time, but first I need to get photos and names of the fallen soldiers to use in my project. I don't know where to start with that.
I was looking at the Warrior Foundation as a possible charity but I need to find out how much of each dollar goes directly to the charity first. If you know of a better one I'm all ears. :o)
The greatest gift to me will be to know that I have helped others along their way when I am gone. To me, that is the best gift of life, to help others along the way just as so many have helped me.
So, that's my story and if any of you have some advice on how to approach this rather larger task I'd love to hear your ideas.
Thanks and don't forget to be grateful for today and to remind yourself when you think you're having a bad day, you're really not in comparison to these brave men and women giving their lives...for us. Enough said. Derek
I was traveling last year and I heard on the local WDC news that they were expanding Arlington Cemetery to make room for 10's of thousands of those people who have given the ultimate sacrifice, their lives, so that we can all live the lives we lead here. Then I heard that the families only receive around 10 grand for the death of their family member who gave his/her life defending our country. You don't have to agree with the war. That's not what this is about. Whether or not you agree we should be involved in this is not an issue. The issue is honoring those who have given their lives in action defending our rights to live in a free society and getting to live the lives that we all some times take for granted.
I was very moved and disturbed to say the least when I saw the names and photos of all of these fallen soldiers. They are not just numbers. They are people like you and I with dreams, families, etc. I sat and thought what I could do to help financially aid their families and loved ones to show my appreciation for what they have done.
I am not a rich man. I work 7 days/nights a week, but the dollar amount I could donate would make a very small dent in aid to this 'cause.
So, I thought if I could write a song and give ALL the proceeds to the best charity I can find that would make the charity a lot more money than I could give personally. I have to try to get a lot of exposure for this so I can make the charity the most amount to money possible.
I approached the recording artist I tour with about this idea and he completely agreed and we have written a song together that will be released on a CD later this year. In short, it's about a soldier away from home at Christmas time (it's a Christmas CD) and how he feels and why he is there. We were careful not to make it too depressing and wording it in such a way that it could apply to many of us who can't be home for Christmas, therefore applying to a larger audience and therefore selling more CD's and making the Charity more money. That's all I care about.
So, I want to make a music video of the 3+ minute song featuring all those who gave their lives for our country. I'm not sure how I will fit all of them into such a short video...maybe infinity cam or the like showing several at a time, but first I need to get photos and names of the fallen soldiers to use in my project. I don't know where to start with that.
I was looking at the Warrior Foundation as a possible charity but I need to find out how much of each dollar goes directly to the charity first. If you know of a better one I'm all ears. :o)
The greatest gift to me will be to know that I have helped others along their way when I am gone. To me, that is the best gift of life, to help others along the way just as so many have helped me.
So, that's my story and if any of you have some advice on how to approach this rather larger task I'd love to hear your ideas.
Thanks and don't forget to be grateful for today and to remind yourself when you think you're having a bad day, you're really not in comparison to these brave men and women giving their lives...for us. Enough said. Derek