Nick Popaditch enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1986. He was badly wounded commanding a tank in Fallujah, Iraq, in 2004 and suffered grievous head wounds that left him legally blind and partially deaf. The USMC awarded him the Silver Star for his valor and combat innovation. And now he's written a wonderful book documenting his experience having gone to hell and back - Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander's Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery. He's available for interviews this week from NYC where he will attend Ground Zero ceremonies.Readers the world over will stand up and cheer for this valiant Marine's Marine, a man who embodies everything noble and proud in the Corps' long tradition. Never has modern mechanized combat seemed so immediate and real, or the fight in Iraq seemed so human and worth believing in.
The real triumph in Once a Marine is its previously untold, behind-the-scenes tale of the day-to-day life of a career Marine noncommissioned staff officer. In most books and movies, a "Gunny" is little more than a cardboard character. Nick's portrayal is a man complete: a husband and father, as well as a warrior and a molder of young warriors. He reveals himself completely, something no memoirist in his position has ever done before. This includes our very personal introduction to his wife April, whose heroics in the story equal Nick's, together with dozens of others who, as Sgt. Popaditch writes, gave so much, so selflessly and freely, to him. Like the man himself, Once a Marine is full of gratitude and refreshingly free of false bravado and braggadocio.
All Americans, of all political persuasions, should meet this courageous and admirable fighting man, an exemplar of all our military men and women who give so much out of love for their nation. Meeting Gunny Sergeant Popaditch through the pages of his inspirational memoir offers up new reasons to be proud and shoulder our own responsibilities as Americans. Once a Marine will instantly take its place among outstanding combat classics. And once you read this remarkable and uplifting book, The Marine's Hymn will never sound the same. [more...]
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SUBJECT LINE: USMC Silver Star Winner's New Book Trailer.
Hello,
Below is a link to a Hollywood-style book trailer on youtube.com for "Once a Marine: An Iraq War Tank Commander's Inspirational Memoir of Combat, Courage, and Recovery," by Nick Popaditch with Mike Steere (Savas Beatie, October 1, 2008).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPDpg7FC0sI
Make sure you watch to the very end for a "special" photo message from "Gunny Pop" Nick. I know you will appreciate seeing him.
Nick "Gunny Pop" Popaditch is a former marine Gunnery Sergeant, a Silver Star winner, a 15-year veteran of the USMC, and was widely known around the world as "The Cigar Marine:" (Google it.). His tanks captured Firdos "Saddam" square in April 2003 and pulled down the hated statue. Nick was severely wounded one year later with an RPG to the head, which was captured live by a media news crew. He had to fight his way through an incredible odyssey of turmoil, heartbreak, and bureaucracy to recover everything he had lost. His website is www.onceamarine.com.
PLEASE NOTE this YouTube trailer is the LOW-resolution version. The high-resolution trailer (with full credits, etc.) will be streaming off a variety of websites including www.savasbeatie.com, and can be opened to full screen to fully appreciate the ending credits and power of the imagery. It will also be available for free high-resolution download, and is TV quality!
If you know anyone in the media who you think would be interested in interviewing "Gunny Pop," don't hesitate to call or email them and let them know.
We appreciate your support of Nick and his family in any way you are able. The success of this book will open doors for this blind warrior, and hopefully provide revenue and success to someone who has sacrificed so much for his country.
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