A former construction supervisor and home-improvement contractor was recognized at the Pentagon for generously assisting seriously-injured veterans.  Homes for Our Troops founder John Gonsalves was awarded the 2010 Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher Distinguished Civilian Humanitarian Award for his commitment to build specially-adapted homes for wounded warriors at no cost to them.  Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh draped a red, white and blue ribbon and brass medallion around Gonsalves’ neck and presented him with a framed citation signed by all the service secretaries.  Homes for Our Troops has been recognized as one of the best charities in the nation receiving top honors from the American Institute of Philanthropy among other recognitions.  Following McHugh at the podium, Gonsalves said he was humbled by the award, but credited his staff for their work and dedication.  To read this article in full, please go to: http://www.army.mil/article/66232/

We interviewed John at the 2010 Milblog conference last year and I think everyone that came in contact with him were impressed with his dedication to our wounded. You can see the video interview with John at: http://www.vamortgagecenter.com/blog/2010/05/07/you-served-interview-with-john-g-from-home-for-our-troops/

MilBlogCon11- LTG Caldwell addresses the Conference from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

This is a video that was shot of the screen that LTG Caldwell appeared on live via video-teleconference talking to the attendees of the 2011 Milblog Conference. LTG Caldwell opened up with a statement (which is where this video starts) and then he takes questions from the attendees and from viewers online who watched the livestream

Take a few minutes and watch this fabulous interview with a very brave Gold Star family who attended and sat on a panel to discuss being survivors of a fallen warrior.

MilBlogCon11 Interview with Tricia and Shelly Hall from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

This interview happened right after one of the toughest panels to watch at the 2011 MilBlog Conference. This one is an interview with Tricia and Shelly Hall who are a mother and daughter and gold star family members. The “Survivors Panel” they sat on was a highlight of the conference, but this interview lets you get to know them a little bit more.

MiBlogCon11 Interview with Home Depot Foundation from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

A great Interview with reps from Home Depot talking about why the Home Depot Foundation was represented at the 2011 Milblog Conference and what Home Depot is stepping up and doing on behalf of our veterans.

MilBlogCon11 Interview with Toby Nunn from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

An Interview with documentary film star, Milblogger, 2-time war veteran and Executive Director of Soldiers’ Angels, Mr. Toby Nunn. In this interview Toby talks about what he was most looking forward to in the conference and his reflections on SecDef Rumsfeld’s session.

MilBlogCon11 Interview with Susan Katz Keating from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

Here is a great interview with Susan Katz Keating of www.susankatzkeating.com. Susan has been a long-time friend of Milblogs and is the originator of the Milblog “Pitchfork Brigade” which is when milbloggers team up to spread the word about very important issues.

If you have listened to this week’s You Served Radio show or have read some of the blog posts on bouhammer.com or soldiersperspective.us you are probably aware that we are huge fans of the film and the message it gives out.

In case you are near Baltimore or Little Rock, I wanted to let you know that the movie is coming to you for a special screening.

5/19 at 7PM: Sneak Preview Screening to Benefit Maryland Veterans

(The Charles Theatre, 1711 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201)

$10 General Admission, $5 Admission for Vets and Students

A 30-minute discussion will follow, moderated by Max Weiss (managing editor of Baltimore Magazine) with special guests K. Lorrel Manning (writer/directer),  Michael Cuomo (lead actor/producer), Tina Sloan (supporting actress and star of “Guiding Light”), Joseph Harrell (key military advisor/supporting actor and star of “Re-Entry”), plus special guests.

***

6/1 – 6/5 at the LITTLE ROCK FILM FESTIVAL (Little Rock, Arkansas)

http://www.littlerockfilmfestival.org/

Screening times to be announced.  Discussion will follow each screening with special guests K. Lorrel Manning (writer/directer) and   Michael Cuomo (lead actor/producer).

So if you were not at the 2011 MilBlog Conference and didn’t get a chance to meet Michael or Lorrel here is a little video they made a while back that explains who they are, why they made this film and a little of what it is about. In this clip is also my good friend Mike Scotti, who is also an associate producer for the film.

Happy New Year Pitch Video from Happy New Year Film on Vimeo.

Last Friday One Light Left films and Bouhammer.com sponsored a special screening of the feature film Happy New Year (www.happynewyear.com) on Friday, April 29th as an unofficial event of the 2011 Milblogging Conference. Lorrel Manning who is the writer and director of not only this movie but was also the creator and writer of the original off-Broadway play and short film of the same name that preceded this feature release was on hand. As well as Joe Harrell who was the military advisor and Michael Cuomo who is one of the Producers and the lead actor.

Lorrel was also on the “war and film” panel that happened on Saturday afternoon at the conference.

Here is my interview with Lorrel during the conference on Saturday.

Lorrel Manning during the Milblog Conference 2011 from You Served Radio & Blog on Vimeo.

Interview with K. Lorrel Manning during the Milblog Conference 2011 about the screening of his film and his impressions of the Conference.

Find the film’s twitter site at http://twitter.com/#!/hnyfilm and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/hnyfilm

Here is a video shot by Marcus and myself of country superstar Mark Wills performing for the Milblog Conference 2011 on Friday April 29th, 2011. Besides performing for us, to include playing a new song of his for the very first time called Crazy Bein’ Home, he also hung out and talked to many that were there. Mark met up with milbloggers before we all went down to the US Naval Institute at the hotel and talked with many of us. Then after we were down there enjoying a great dinner he made his rounds and walked around, talked with people, posed for pictures and told stories he had from playing for troops and just interacting with them.

After he performed and the official agenda was over, everyone went back to the Westin Arlington Gateway hotel and Mark met up with many of us in the lobby and kept talking with us until well after midnight. He was like one of the guys and was as down to earth as they come.

Be sure and check out Mark’s website at http://markwills.musiccitynetworks.com/ to learn more about his music and see if he will be in a city near you.

MilBlog Conference 2011 started out with quite the bang. We’ve had big name guests appear by video address and teleconference, but nothing compares to former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld’s personal appearance.

Sec Rumsfeld was very down to earth and had some insightful thoughts on many topics from defense spending to running for office. After the session, Sec Rumsfeld gladly signed copies of his new book Known and Unknown (B&N, Amazon).