Pat Dollard | Young Americans

September 7, 2008

By Lftbhndagn

Defining the cost of freedom…

Not many people know the story of how I got involved in blogging and to be honest, I was never sure if anyone would care.

Relax…Im not going to tell you today. Its not about me.

I am going to mention that Gunny Nick Popaditch story, is part of the reason Im here today.

Way back when, I got sick and tired of the MSM not reporting the good news out of Iraq and I started to dig for answers..

I kid you not, this was one of the first story’s I found:

Gunnery Sergeant Nick Popaditch - The Cigar Marine - And Someone You Should Know

I have even used Gunny Pops photo in a video I had made along with using this particular photo numerous times.

Lets just jump to yesterday and keep in this back of your minds, God is watching every move we make and every one of us has a higher purpose in this life.

I spent yesterday afternoon catching Chandlers Watch radio show live in there studio. The guest just happened to be Gunny Nick Popaditch, or Gunny Pop for short….

I was in awe.

In all of my life, I have never met a more inspirational man full of mental strength and just pure valor. His wife April, is just as strong.

Gunny Pop was very gracious and gave me a copy of his book which has not been released yet titled:

Once A Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander’s Memoir Of Combat, Courage, And Recovery.

I haven’t had a chance to read it yet. I will give my full report at a later date but definitely support this book just after thumbing through it and KNOWING this Marines story.

Taken directly from Gunny Pops website: Once A Marine

What is the book Once A Marine about?

In April 2004, Nick Popaditch fights heroically in the battle for Fallujah and suffers grievous head wounds that leave him legally blind and partially deaf. The USMC awards him with a Silver Star for his valor and combat innovation.

“Gunny Pop” comes home to face the toughest fight of his life-a battle to remain the man and Marine he was. This is the central drama of Nick’s inspiring memoir, Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander’s Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery.

If your at the end of your rope and just can’t handle how the MSM has just butchered the truth, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of Gunny Pops Memoir. Take it from me, it will give you the inspiration you need to keep on fighting..

It is due to be released nationally on Sept. 15th.

You can pre-order your copy of “Once A Marine” today at Amazon.com

If my praise of this hero is not good enough, here is more….

Advance praise for Once a Marine:

“Gunny Popaditch’s story is as inspiring as it is dramatic. This wounded warrior suffered grievous injuries — an RPG to the head! — but refused to give up on life, even when his wounds forced him out of the Corps. Once A Marine is a ‘must read’ story of one of today’s real heroes.”– Jerry D. Morelock, PhD, Colonel, U. S. Army, ret., Editor in Chief, Armchair General magazine

“If you want an honest answer, ask a Marine. If you want an honest view of a war, ask a Marine gunnery sergeant. Nick Popaditch’s transcendent memoir of military service and its personal consequences should be read by every one of our nation’s political leaders –to help them understand the incomparable quality of those who fight on the front lines. Read this inspiring story, recommend it to friends –and send a copy to your member of Congress!”– Ralph Peters, author of Looking For Trouble and Wars Of Blood And Faith

“Author Gunny Sergeant Nick Popaditch, a Silver Star recipient and the subject of the world-famous AP photo, has penned what must surely be classed as among the best personal memoirs of any combat soldier in recent memory. Once a Marine is an in-your-face blast of raw emotion and realism that will strike a raw nerve and keep you up at night. This autobiography of combat, courage, and recovery should be required reading for every American, young and old, who yearns to grasp the true cost of freedom.”– Caspar Weinberger Jr., Military and Current Affairs Columnist

(Thank You Nick, Mike, and Theodore P. Savas)