Courtesy Photo | ATLANTA (June 30, 2006) - R. Lee Ermey, former Marine, award winning actor and host of...... read more read more
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By Spc. Tanya Van Buskirk
Third Army Public Affairs
ATLANTA (June 30, 2006) - Producers from The History Channel's Mail Call, a one-hour weekly show highlighting military history and events, arrived to an enthusiastic reception at Third Army's Digital Video and Imagery Distribution Hub here. R. Lee Ermey, former Marine, award winning actor and host of Mail Call, visited with the military and civilian staff throughout the day.
The television series is doing their 100th episode on the DVIDS mission and how Third Army Public Affairs tells servicemembers' stories around the world through DVIDS using satellite technology.
Third Army's DVIDS and Mail Call are trying to do the same job, said Ermey.
Ermey explained that both organizations present a constructive view of the war to the American people.
Ermey has first hand knowledge of the importance of balanced reporting.
The former U.S. Marine Corps staff sergeant served 11 years on active duty. He served a tour of duty in Vietnam and spent two years as a drill instructor.
Ermey is also a Golden Globe nominee and Boston Society of Film Critics Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor in director Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket.
But Mail Call is no Hollywood production.
Our show is not a fictitious story, said Ermey. It is based on realistic situations that people can learn from.
But the shows motivation runs even deeper than providing information.
We at Mail Call want to feel as though we are part of the military, said Ermey. We want people to know how squared away, honorable and respectable the military is and the modern technology available to them to get the job done.
The show seems to be making the desired impact on the viewers.
Ermey said that in talking to Marine Corps recruiters, he has learned that enlistment is up because of Mail Call and for the first time ever, 14-year-old children are going into recruiter's offices asking what they need to do to get ready to join the military when they turn 18.
More information, along with impressive video and photos needs to be made available to the media, said Ermey.
And that is what DVIDS is here to do.
DVIDS has provided Ermey and his team with countless video clips received through portable transmitters deployed around the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Military journalists working in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar feed their stories to DVIDS Hub, here, using satellite technology where it is marketed to news outlets by a team of media relations specialists.
Third Army and other military units use DVIDS as a way to engage the public through mass media and keep them informed about what is happening around the world in the fight against terrorism.
We are excited and think it's an interesting idea that they would use DVIDS as a narrative framework, said Lt. Col. William Beckman, director of operations at DVIDS. Beckman said that six vignettes from across Iraq will be rolled into a one-hour program to highlight some of the great things the Soldiers and Marines are doing, and how Third Army is supporting the Global War on Terrorism.
The 100th episode featuring DVIDS will air on The History Channel in early fall. For air times, consult www.historychannel.com.
| Date Taken: | 07.11.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 07.11.2006 16:34 |
| Story ID: | 7156 |
| Location: | ATLANTA, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 287 |
| Downloads: | 58 |
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