Broadside Blog - Military Times

Cartoonists invade Germany!

Tom Richmond, Rick Kirkman, Bruce Higdon, Jeff Keane, Chip Bok, Jeff Bacon, Mike Peters, Stephan Pastis

I just returned from a busy week visiting Walter Reed, Bethesda and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center with seven other cartoonists on a USO-sponsored trip to cheer up our wounded warriors. It was an honor to be a part of it all.

The National Cartoonists Society has been going on these sort of trips since WWII, and the tradition continues as our troops fight terrorism around the world. Traveling in the group were:

Jeff Keane (Family Circus)
Mike Peters (Mother Goose and Grimm)
Rick Kirkman (Baby Blues)
Stephan Pastis (Pearls Before Swine)
Tom Richmond (MAD magazine)
Bruce Higdon (Punderstatements and Army cartoons)
Chip Bok (Editorial Cartoonist for the Akron Journal-Beacon)
Jeff Bacon (Broadside, Greenside, Military Times)

Chip Bok, Tom Richmond, Rick Kirkman roaming the halls at Landstuhl RMC

It was as fun a troupe as it was distinguished (present company excepted). Our job was to visit wounded Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen as they recuperate from their injuries, and maybe put a smile or two on their faces in the process. We sat with them and drew cartoons and caricatures to keep as momentos, but mainly we talked and listened. Their stories were a tribute not only to their personal courage, but also to their commitment to the thousands of their brothers and sisters in arms who are still out there. (To keep this article short, I’ll refer to the troops in the masculine sense even though we visited with female warriors too.)

Nobody complained. No one pined about his lot in life. Each was determined to get better, and in many cases, to get back to his buddies who are still fighting the fight. (One soldier had been shot several times, lost a leg, but had already petitioned to be kept on active duty and returned to Iraq.)

The only sadness we saw was when discussing those who had paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their memories were still strong and vivid to the survivors, but there was a nobleness in the sorrow. These young Americans have looked war in the face and never blinked, and we felt humble in their presence.

The medical treatment our troops receive is impressive, and part of a complex process that begins on the battlefield and culminates at military hospitals in the United States (usually Walter Reed, Bethesda, Balboa or Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio). When a soldier is injured in Afghanistan or Iraq, he is treated locally then flown as soon as possible to Landstuhl where he is stabilized for the flight across the Atlantic. In many cases the stay is a short one - those who are lightly injured stay overnight near the airstrip at the Contingency Aeromedical Staging Facility (CASF) at Ramstein and leave the next day. If they need more care they are transported to Landstuhl until they can be sent stateside for extended treatment and recuperation.

Recovery is a long process in many cases, but the troops are getting the best treatment in the world. When it’s necessary, they are provided prosthetics and ambulatory aides featuring eye-watering technology. At Walter Reed we were able to visit wounded soldiers undergoing therapy at a new state-of-the-art facility called the Military Advanced Training Facility, where there were more attendants than patients in the room. We have seen similar sites at Brooke and Balboa too.

I can’t talk about patient care without mentioning the USO. It is collocated with every major medical installation, and its empoyees and volunteers are focused like laser beams on the well-being of the troops. At Landstuhl, the USO is building a brand new relaxation/recreation center designed to allow recuperating patients the chance to relax in a low-stress environment. If you are ever undecided about where to send your charitible contributions, look no further than the USO. It will be money well-spent. (The Armed Services YMCA is the dominant service organization for Balboa, so remember them with your contributions as well.)

We all felt that we had received more than we had given by the time we left. Our hosts were gracious and well-organized, and there is no way not to be impressed with the way our wounded troops are being treated. To the USO and the medical professionals who hosted us, thank you for allowing us the privilege of visiting with our injured heroes. To the wounded warriors undergoing treatment, thank you for your service and sacrifice on our behalf. We’ll keep you in our prayers and wish you a speedy recovery.

Thank you card from a school child and donated pillowcase at the CASF

Landstuhl

Members of the National Cartoonists Society wrapped up our visit to Walter Reed/Bethesda/Landstuhl today - we fly out tomorrow. It was an honor to spend many hours with our troops who are out there on the front line, and with those who have endured personal sacrifice on behalf of the rest of us back home. Stars and Stripes gives a good summary of the visit (click here).

I’ll give a more complete review of the trip in a couple of days. Suffice it to say that it was inspiring to see the dedication of the troops in transit, as well as the dedicated professionals who support them.

A nice video

Here’s a nice video, sent to me by Andy, a Navy vet. It appeared in the Cannes Film Festival. You’ll like it. (Click here)

Caption Contest - Oct 2, 2008

What’s the caption? Send us your ideas by midnight Tuesday - the winner gets free stuff!

Caption Contest winner - Sep 25

The slimy polliwogs among ships’s company sensed they were about to experience the “Mother Of All Shellback Initiations”.

Winning caption by Scott Stroman.

Honorable mentions:

CIWS CHIEF: “Broadside” artist mounts a hostile takeover…U.S. Navy has his back! (How could you NOT like this one?)

Sierra Caddis: They said we might encounter pirates off the coast of Somalia, but this is ridiculous!

Jack Davis

(USN)

Since I’m on the road with a bunch of cartoonists this week, it seems appropriate to tell you about a great patriot and Navy veteran, Jack Davis.

You may not know his name, but there’s no doubt you have seen his art. Jack is famous in cartooning circles - he’s as big a name in his world as Frank Sinatra was in his. He is the Michael Jordan or Tiger Woods of pen and ink.

His resume is incredible. He was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame in 2003, The Society of Illustrators Hall of Fame in 2005, and received the prestigious Milton Caniff Lifetime Achievement Award in 1996. In 2000 he was awarded the Reuben Award, the cartoon world’s highest honor.

You have seen his work in many different venues - in comic books, magazine covers, advertising illustrations (the list of clients reads like a Fortune 500 table of contents), and was there at the very beginning with MAD Magazine. It was during his MAD years that Jack’s art became known to most of us. His ability to combine the accuracy of Norman Rockwell with a flare for humorous caricature made him famous and inspired a generation of young artists.

But it is his philanthropy that has touched me the most. An unblinking patriot, Jack has donated art to many military organizations, refusing to take a dime for his efforts. His illustrations of Uncle Sam have been distributed to wounded soldiers at Brooke Army Medical Center, Walter Reed and Bethesda and at VA hospitals around the country - he signed each one individually.

Six months ago, to honor the recommissioning of USS GEORGIA (SSGN 729), he drew a beautiful cartoon that captured the spirit of the event (he’s also a University of Georgia alum). It was featured on the cover of the ceremony’s program and now hangs proudly on board GEORGIA.

Jack had planned to come with us to Walter Reed, Bethesda and Landstuhl, but some health concerns prevented him from going. When I talked to him a few weeks ago, in typical Jack Davis humility he apologized, told me how disappointed he was, then asked me what we needed from him - anything at all.

Jack, there’s no need. We’re sorry you couldn’t make this trip, but there will be others. And besides, you have done your part already - not only by serving in WWII, but also by putting smiles on the faces of our troops with your magnificent art.

You’re our hero of the week, Jack.

Broadside of the Week - Sep 30, 2008

Visit the Broadside Archives! (click here)

Greenside of the Week - Sep 30, 2008

Visit the Greenside Archives! (click here)

Road Trip

I’m on the road this week, in the company of some of the country’s great cartoonists (they’re taking me along to carry luggage). We’re traveling to Bethesda, Walter Reed, and Landstuhl Regional Medical Center to (hopefully) put some smiles on the faces of our wounded troops. The USO, along with several individuals and organizations (including the Gannett Foundation, the charitable arm of the owner of Military Times), have donated funds to get us there.

If you ever have a problem deciding where to send your Combined Federal Campaign donations, may I recommend the good old USO? Over the last four years the National Cartoonists Society has worked with that storied organization to visit many military hospitals around the country and in each case the USO was right there, keeping careful watch over our wounded warriors. They do it with smiles on their faces, with a focus on caring for those who have served our country so honorably. You should see them in action.

Many VA hospitals have also seen pro cartoonists invade their spaces. The VA has been an enthusiastic sponsor from the very beginning too, and their focus is no less intense as they care for our veterans. (See “Support the Troops” for a complete list.)

The National Cartoonists Society has conducted these types of visits since World War II - in fact, it can trace its creation directly back to those first trips in the 1940s. Its goal is to give back a little to those who have given so much for all of us.

We’ll be gone a week, and I’ll give you a recap when we return!

“Whom do we thank for the morning air show?”

Frank, a Navy vet and pal of mine, sent me this story. I had heard it before, so I checked on Snopes.com, and sure enough, it is true. Almost everything you read was pulled from Snopes.com. This all happened in mid-June, 2005.

First, the following appeared in the Arizona Republic, a paper published in Phoenix:

‘Question of the day for Luke Air Force Base:

‘Whom do we thank for the morning air show? Last Wednesday, at precisely 9:11 a.m., a tight formation of four F-16 jets made a low pass over Arrowhead Mall, continuing west over Bell Road at approximately 500 feet. Imagine our good fortune! Do the Tom Cruise-wannabes feel we need this wake-up call, or were they trying to impress the cashiers at Mervyns’ early bird special? Any response would be appreciated.’

Five days later (June 28), the following letter appeared in the same paper:

“Regarding ‘A wake-up call from Luke’s jets’ (Letters, Thursday):

“On June 15, at precisely 9:12 a.m., a perfectly timed four-ship flyby of F-16s from the 63rd Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base flew over the grave of Capt. Jeremy Fresques.

“Capt. Fresques was an Air Force officer who was previously stationed at Luke Air Force Base and was killed in Iraq on May 30, Memorial Day. At 9 a.m. on June 15, his family and friends gathered at Sunland Memorial Park in Sun City to mourn the loss of a husband, son and friend.

“Based on the letter writer’s recount of the flyby, and because of the jet noise, I’m sure you didn’t hear the 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, or my words to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques as I gave them their son’s flag on behalf of the President of the United States and all those veterans and servicemen and women who understand the sacrifices they have endured.

“A four-ship flyby is a display of respect the Air Force pays to those who give their lives in defense of freedom. We are professional aviators and take our jobs seriously, and on June 15 what the letter writer witnessed was four officers lining up to pay their ultimate respects.

“The letter writer asks, ‘Whom do we thank for the morning air show?’ The 56th Fighter Wing will make the call for you, and forward your thanks to the widow and parents of Capt. Fresques, and thank them for you, for it was in their honor that my pilots flew the most honorable formation of their lives. Lt. Col. Scott Pleus, USAF”

(From Snopes.com):

“To his credit, the complainant … tendered a written apology…”

‘Regarding “Flyby honoring fallen comrade” (Letters, June 28):

‘I read with increasing embarrassment and humility the response to my unfortunate letter to the Republic concerning an Air Force flyby (”A wake-up call from Lukes’s jets,” Letters, June 23).

‘I had no idea of the significance of the flyby, and would never have insulted such a fine and respectful display had I known.

‘I have received many calls from the fine airmen who are serving or have served at Luke, and I have attempted to explain my side and apologized for any discomfort my letter has caused.

‘This was simply an uninformed citizen complaining about noise.

‘I have been made aware in both written and verbal communications of the four-ship flyby, and my heart goes out to each and every lost serviceman and woman in this war in which we are engaged.

‘I have been called un-American by an unknown caller and I feel that I must address that. I served in the U.S. Navy and am a Vietnam veteran. I love my country and respect the jobs that the service organizations are doing.

‘Please accept my heartfelt apologies.’