Good News!

From Yankeemom:

Good News!!!

From Clayton Murwin ~

The Graphic Novel (”Untold Stories From Iraq & Afghanistan”) will be completed by 2:00pm Tuesday Feb 1 2011. We will be picking them up on Thursday. They should be ready to sale come Wednesday. Right now if your interested in the Graphic Novel please send me an email at cmerwin6@gmail.com or by visiting the website http://www.heroesfallenstudiosinc.webs.com/.

I am presently working on getting the books into Barnes & Noble as well. Comic Book retailers please contact me directly if your interested. Everyone please spread the word and help promote this book because its has been three years coming and our troops have waited long enough! Thank you to all that had a part in making this book a reality for our troops!

A Little About Heroes Fallen Studios Inc. & This Project

Heroes fallen Studios Inc. is a Not-For-Profit Literary Organization registered in the state of VA. that supports the men and women of our Armed Forces.This project was started about three years ago. I decided that I wanted to do something more with my talent as an artist, something that would actually mean something. I have always been a supporter of our Armed Forces. The men and women that serve to protect our Freedoms and our country deserve all the support they can get.

Because without them We would not have the freedoms we have today. So one night I was talking to a friend of mine from Canada and I said to Roger, Do you think anyone would be interested in hearing the real stories from our troops that have served in Iraq & Afghanistan? Roger asked me what did I mean. I told him I had been thinking about gathering together stories from our troops and illustrating them in a comic or graphic novel. Letting their stories be told from their own mouths. Roger said it sounded like a good idea .So We talked about the best way to go about it...

Go - now - and read the rest over at Yankeemom here.

No good deed goes unpunished

In a small town in America, one man's good deed is now being severely punished. As a Memorial is being erected to honour fallen heroes, some of the townspeople are working very hard to dishonour another very good man: Clayton Murwin.

For those new to this debacle, you can catch up here, and here.

Let me state right out, for those who are not regular readers: I am not an American, nor I do live in that little community where some residents have, as Yankeemom puts it, decided 'to become 'judge, jury and executioner;' are hellbent on destroying a decent man's reputation, resorting to baseless accusations, and threatening him and his family with physical violence. From where I sit, some of the residents of this community seem to be of the opinion that if you have not lived there forever, you are a newcomer, (or worse,) and have no business having an opinion on the issue at hand. The issue at hand - a memorial honouring America's fallen sons - seems to have been lost by the wayside as some in the community, without full knowledge of the FACTS (yeah, I know those pesky things!) have been displaying a most ugly side of what I have always known and loved as "America the beautiful."

So yes, I am an 'outsider' from this specific community, but when people spend hours slandering, threatening decent people, on a 'social networking' site, their viciousness is open to the world. No geographical borders on FaceBook.

One of those leading the charge to destroy Clayton Murwin, his family, and his business, has this on his FaceBook page:

Love is kind ...It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

I am not going to name this person. He has already gained more than enough spotlight for himself. Let me just say this: having watched this whole sorry mess, I can only come to the conclusion, based on his own words, that this person "can't handle the truth" since he has made no attempt - as far as I can tell - to find the whole truth. Too bad for him.

Lots more I could say, but I'll defer to two American friends, who have also been closely following this. One is Blue Star Mom Yankeemom:

A Good Deed Turned Ugly ~

Author: yankeemom // Category: Supporting the troops

I haven’t yet posted on this myself out of respect for the legal issues surrounding this sad and maddening situation but yesterday was the last straw.

It has now started to make the rounds on the internet with people discussing it without knowing all the facts, only what they had seen in the media. The Murwins are under a gag order and are honoring it while, unfortunately, others also under this gag order are not. Instead they ran right to the press and spoke out - accusing Clayton Murwin of certain actions that have absolutely no basis in fact. It is all slanderous supposition and presumption on their part - and now it has gone way beyond a disagreement.

For background on the false accusations and slandering of Clayton Murwin, The Hero Maker, from people in his town and politicians (who should know better), go to the links below. Troy, CJ and Brat have already written about it ~ CJ has done a tremendous amount of research, speaking with those involved and finding out the facts. Unfortunately, neither those who would falsely accuse Clayton of dirty deeds nor the local media, seem to have the same respect for the facts....

[...]

Now, I’m the type of person when I come across an organization or site that claims it supports our troops, I dig for info to find out if they are on the up and up before posting about them or sending support financially. Well, those who have been reading my blog for awhile know that I have posted about Clayton’s project in the past and have interviewed him on our radio show a couple of times. I certainly wouldn’t do this if I had found anything to point to his being a scoundrel of any sort. You all know that the Military is my family, and I do not take kindly to anyone using my family for political or monetary gain.

For whatever reason, there is a group of folks who have elected themselves judge, jury and executioner of Clayton and, apparently, are determined to ruin his reputation as well as taking down his troop-supporting non-profit organization, facts be damned. And unfortunately now the anti-war coalition have become involved as well.

And those of us who have come up against such people know just how nasty they can be and how facts are not too terribly important to them as long as they can feel self-righteous and important. And I do not appreciate them using the Troops to achieve this in any way....

You just know Yankeemom has more, and you can find it here.

As I said above, the whole initial issue - a Memorial honouring fallen heroes - has become a platform for mean-spirited, ugly, and to quote Yankeemom, 'self-righteous and important' people (in their own minds, at least) whose words suggest an agenda other than honouring, respecting both Bucky and the truth.

Those of us interested in the truth, know that Clayton Murwin has done nothing wrong. Let me repeat that: NOTHING wrong! But hey, never mind that. As I used to joke in journalism school: Why let the facts get in the way of a good story? Many a true word spoken in jest.

In this town, (pop. 115,000 give or take,) the genie is well and truly out of the bottle. Not enough for outrageous slurs and accusations against Clayton to fly around unchecked; not enough for some to try and besmirch an active duty soldier's reputation (I'm talking of the threats, innuendos and outright despicable remarks to CJ by some, as they indulge in what can only be described as kindergarten-like thumping of chests;) not even enough to publish personal details of Clayton's bank account on FaceBook; oh, and let's not forget the outright lies. As if all this was not bad enough, as a few in the community spend a lot of energy whipping up sentiment against Clayton and his good deeds, now ugly small town America just got uglier. From CJ:

Tactics Turn Threatening in Broadway

November 9th, 2010 by CJ

A few days ago, I wrote about Clayton's problems with a memorial to the fallen that we was planning in the community of Broadway, VA and the fallout from that issue. The past four days, a lot has changed. Perhaps because I'm bringing some sanity and objectivity to the issue, many on the other side of this issue have focused on bringing me down. I'll get to that later.

Today, I was sent a flyer by a citizen in Broadway. The person had come out of a Subway shop and found the following flyer on her windshield:

"

MEET YOUR WARMONGER NEIGHBOR

Clayton Murwin collected donation money, under the false pretense of building a memorial for slain serviceman Bucky Anderson, with the true intent to promote several shady 501(c)(3)s and Murwin's own egotistical artistic career. Anderson's family has asked the money be refunded. Murwin refuses.

Murwin's low-brow graphic novel Untold Stories From Iraq and Afghanistan glorifies the destructive war policies of the Bush and Obama regimes beneath the facade of honoring veterans and fallen soldiers. (Militarist propaganda in no way honors these groups, but rather justifies their cruel and brutal exploitation at the hands of the wealthy.)

Murwin is more of a pornographer than an artist. His portfolio includes a lewd and tasteless illustration of a scantily clad demoness (Google "The Hero Maker" + "Clayton Murwin")

There are struggling graphic novelists that need and deserve your support more than Clayton Murwin, and there are much better ways to honor SPC Anderson than supporting this parasite's greedy cause."

Under the photo of Clayton, the creator added his home address and accused him of "stole money from the friends and family of fallen serviceman Bucky Anderson." There are a few examples of Clayton's copyrights works on the flyer and the anti-war rally call that "VETERANS HAVE MUCH GREATER RATES OF HOMELESSNESS, UNEMPLOYMENT, SUICIDE, AND ILLNESS." It ends with "NO MONUMENT WILL CHANGE THAT! avenge bucky – bring the war home…no more dead appalachians for U.S. imperialism."

Yeah, you read that right. They want to "bring the war home."...

Yes, there is more from CJ, and you can find it here.

As the local, mentioned above, also has on his FaceBook:

"In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations."
...Iroquois Nation

Really? Too bad that he, and others, have not stopped to consider the impact of their current actions, on not only this Gold Star Family, but on future generations of this small closed enclave in a corner of America.

It really is distressing to me that, instead of a) asking for, and LISTENING to the truth of the matter at hand, or b) saying 'how can I help resolve this, to honour our fallen?' some in this community are determined to ensure that well-meaning, decent people like Clayton Murwin suffer.

Bucky Anderson's family is still so fresh in their awful journey of grief, and being angry is an integral part of the grief journey. We all know this, and hearts ache for the loss suffered by America's families across the land. However, it would be really wonderful, and I suggest far more helpful, for all the self-professed 'friends' of this family, to spend their apparent abundance of energy in helping the family, rather than lashing out at innocents like Clayton Murwin, who gained nothing from his honourable offer, other than a whole lot of his own grief.

Following along with this whole sorry saga on a public site (yes, open to all worldwide,) I saw a glimmer of sanity:

I think that it would be best if we stop this discussion on matter fb. This is a private matter for the family and the other party to work out. I think there are to many hands in the cookie jar and in the end that is going to cause more trouble for the family then what they want or need. Instead of fighting over the matter I intend to pray that this matter gets resolve. I feel like the memory of a man who die in honor is now being thrown down the drain.

To that, I say a hearty AMEN!

This whole episode could have been avoided by ALL concerned staying focusing on honouring Bucky Anderson's sacrifice for his country. Maybe I am not familiar with small town politics, and cliques - and this is probably a good thing - but seems to me that everyone needs to remind themselves: this is NOT about YOU! It IS about how best to honour a fallen hero. Period.

As Yankeemom says at the end of her column:

My utmost appreciation to Spc Brian Anderson for his service and ultimate sacrifice to our country. A Hero indeed.

My most sincere condolences to his family.

My prayer is that the people of this small town in America take a step back, and think on how this terrible lack of respect reflects on those values for which so many of our sons and daughters have sacrificed their all in this current Global War on Terror.

Instead of perpetuating the myth of the ugly American, it is my hope that Harrisonburg takes time out to remind themselves of all that makes America beautiful. My fervent prayer is that instead of perniciously destroying Clayton Murwin, the good people of this small town America choose to focus their positive energies on celebrating and honouring Spc Anderson.

Maybe then Bucky Anderson will finally be allowed to rest in peace.

Hero Maker Under Fire ('What would Bucky do?' part 2)

Last week, I shared a column written about ignorant (as in uninformed) forces aligned against an honourable man. Written by a veteran, this column addressed a community that comprises of people who are apparently not much interested in facts. You can read Bouhammer's column here.

Now my friend CJ has weighed in. Unlike those who are threatening Clayton Murwin and his wife with physical violence; unlike those who are showing how ugly wilful ignorance can be, CJ has done his homework. (*gasp*)

Hero Maker Under Fire

November 6th, 2010 by CJ

This is probably going to be one of the most difficult posts I've ever had to write. Why? Because, I'm going to be on the opposite side of a good, gold star family. It's not a position I ever want to be in, but in my mind wrong is wrong and right is right.

I can't remember the exact date that I first spoke with Clayton Murwin about his "Untold Stories of Iraq and Afghanistan" project, but it was at least two years ago. I first shared the project here in May of 2009. I had two stories submitted for the project, along with my good friend Troy Steward from Bouhammer.com. The project tells the stories of real life Iraq and Afghanistan veterans and their combat experiences in comic book form. It was probably the single greatest tribute idea I'd ever heard to that point. I think it still is.

Around that same time, Clayton started a project called Heroes Fallen where he helped to raise money for military charities. He came up with the idea of creating a non-profit called Heroes Fallen Studios Inc. However, the cost to start a non-profit slowed his progress. He had to raise the money to even apply for non-profit status. His vision is to "provide Comfort,Guidance,Support & Assistance to the Heroes and members of our military and their families,both in time of war and in peace. To always Honor & Respect them for their many sacrifices they have made to protect our country and to the American people." Eventually, he achieved non-profit status, but didn't have the money to obtain the additional tax-deductible status. Heroes Fallen Studios, Inc is an official non-profit with an EIN and everything.

As long as I've known Clayton, I've never sensed or detected anything but absolute respect and honor and a desire to do SOMETHING for our troops and their families. If he has a fault it's that his visions are so involved and dedicated that they are almost impossible. That never stood in his way. Clayton has frequently told me that he does what he can because he could never serve himself. Unfortunately, his zeal and dedication to our troops has become a topic of contention in his communities of Broadway, Timberville, and Harrisonburg.

In June of this year, SPC Bucky Anderson was killed by an IED in Afghanistan. He was a two-time state wrestling champion in Virginia. He loved being a Soldier and made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Clayton honored that sacrifice by presenting the family with a hand-drawn portrait of Bucky not long after his funeral. He also told the Anderson family that he would not let his sacrifice be forgotten in the community. The Andersons were thankful for his charity at the time.

His local TV station, Channel 3 WHSV, interviewed Clayton about the portrait and perhaps began what would become one of the hugest misunderstandings in the history of this small town. It would also be a misunderstanding that would turn a good family against a good family and fracture community unity.

Murwin has done illustrations of fallen soldiers before and immediately began working on one for the Anderson family, but it was Murwin that was touched by the picture.

"I'm sitting there drawing this young man, and I'm looking at his face, and I see the pride he had in wearing that uniform," says Murwin.

That is when Murwin decided a picture wasn't enough.

"I started working on it, and then I'm like, 'We need to do something more as a community, Broadway, Timberville, Harrisonburg. We need to do something more. This young man was from this area,'" says Murwin.

Murwin got together with the VFW and a Florida company that makes memorials for fallen soldiers.

He wants to place a memorial in honor of Anderson at Broadway High School where Anderson attended and was a two-time state champion wrestler.

The problem lies in the way different people have interpreted what "a memorial in honor of Anderson" means. However, Clayton has said in both interviews and in person that this was always a memorial to honor fallen troops. On his Facebook page, his bio even read: "[Heroes Fallen, Inc] is erecting a memorial in honor of our fallen heroes. Dedicated to SPC Brian Bucky Anderson, KIA June 12, 2010."

Again, there is a lot of misunderstanding about what that means, but not to me. So, let me explain.

Have you ever heard of the Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act? Probably not, but if I asked if you've ever heard of "Megan's Law" you'll know what I'm talking about. It's easier to talk about "Megan's Law" than to talk about "Crimes Against Children and Sexually Violent Offender Registration Act" in conversation and in publications. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is known as ObamaCare. The Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 is known as McCain/Feingold Act. The Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act is the Brady Bill.

Likewise, Clayton's effort to memorialize the fallen Soldiers from Virginia in honor of local hero Bucky Anderson became known publicly as the Bucky Anderson Memorial. Another good analogy here are the lifetime achievement awards given by numerous organizations. This year, the Academy Awards presented its annual lifetime achievement award in honor of Michael Jackson, but it's not the Michael Jackson Lifetime Achievement Award!

The problem here lies with the fact that Clayton didn't clarify his mission to the community perhaps as well as he should have. This caused confusion for people like the Anderson family who either mistakenly believed or were led to believe by others that the memorial was specifically for their son when, in fact, the memorial was always to represent ALL fallen troops in honor of local fallen hero Bucky.

What boggles my mind is why the Anderson's – and certain people within the community – would be so adamantly opposed to something designed to memorialize ALL fallen troops in favor of just one. Clayton can't win because, let's face it, there is a lot of respect and empathy for Gold Star Families – as there should be! They have made the ultimate sacrifice and should be forgiven for their reactions to the most difficult of situations one could possibly have to deal within life – burying one's son or daughter. The community rallies around these grieving Americans. Politicians and local leaders reach out to them. Neighbors and community members reach out to them. Everyone gives a little leeway to these families in dealing with them. Mrs. Anderson has told me directly that Clayton "does not have a chance in the community but we can stop all this nonsense and go on to honor these veterans and please believe me I have a lot of influence in the community." She intends to use every bit of that influence to harass and destroy Clayton's life. On her Facebook page, she even mentions that "we should all take a bus trip on Nov. 20-21 to Va. Comicon" in order to disrupt Clayton's comic book project to honor the "Untold Stories From Iraq and Afghanistan."

This pull is already showing. Yesterday, Clayton's website received the following threats:

We shall bring you down. You are no better than those Westboro Church people. If you needed money for YOUR book, It was many other ways to get it other than praying on a small town with big hearts & dragging a good soilders name throw the mud. Im sure this isnt the 1st time you have done this so just to make this clear I am talking about Spc Anderson. You are not a "Hero Maker" you are a Hero Killer. I would love for you spend 1 year over in the sand, I bet you you would have your blasted off within 2 weeks. YOu just keeping drawing your pictures and stealing money you will be judged sometime or another, your lawer won't save u from the man up stairs. I am talking to a Attorny also to set up a website making sure everyone knows what you are really doing, I just want to do it the LEGAL way. Guess what he has offered his services for FREE, its good people in this world & we shall join together to bring people like you out of bussiness. I also read today about your acter friend that you brought to our town was arrested for bording a plane lol WOW!

All spelling errors belong to the author, not me. The ignorance in Broadway is astounding. Simply astounding (not to mention the grammar and spelling – I hope these people don't vote). ...

CJ has much more. He has facts, because he took the time to research and listen to the players in this sorry mess.

I really have nothing to add to CJ's piece, which you can - and should - read here.

As I have said before: I stand with Clayton and his wife. They ARE honourable people, who are being maliciously maligned (and threatened) with false allegations from folks who should be ashamed of themselves for adding to a Gold Star Family's grief.

I believe the truth WILL out eventually, and those who are running their mouths with vicious threats based on lies, will be forced to eat their own words - and crow.

What would 'Bucky' do?

I have been thinking about an answer to the question in the headline. I never met Army Spc. Brian 'Bucky' M. Anderson, but over the past while, I have come to know of him, his family, quite well.

Soldiers' Angels Honor the Fallen blog - maintained by a member of the SA Living Legend Team - has this to say about Bucky:

Saturday, June 12, 2010

Army Spc. Brian M. Anderson

Remember Our Heroes

Army Spc. Brian M. Anderson, 24, of Harrisonburg, Va.

Spc. Anderson was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.; died June 12, 2010 in Za Khel, Afghanistan, of wounds sustained when insurgents attacked his vehicle using an improvised explosive device.

Fort Drum - officials announced Tuesday that a 10th Mountain Division soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

The soldier is identified as 24 year old Specialist Brian Michael Anderson of Harrisonburg, Virginia.

A member of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, He died in Za Khel, Afghanistan, on June 12 from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive devise attack...(go here to read about the life of this fallen hero from those who know him the best.)

Bucky Anderson gave his all in service to his country just this last June, and as is only right, his sacrifice has been honoured by many.

Then yesterday, I come across this:

Bouhammer steps in to the Merwin/Anderson controversy

Posted By Bouhammer on November 1, 2010

Let me first say I know Clayton Merwin very well. I have met him and his family and believe 100% in what he is doing with the “Untold Stories from Iraq and Afghanistan” graphic novel that I have a couple of stories in.

Over on YouServed Radio we have had Clayton on a few times highlighting the progress he has made with this project and the great work he is doing with it. Let me emphasize that Clayton has no family members in the military or that have served in the current wars. He is doing this because he has a gift/talent and wants to use it to support the troops and help tell their story. That is his total motivation.

Clayton recently took on another project because he felt it was the right thing to do. He decided he wanted to spearhead a project to memorialize the fallen soldiers from his local area. A soldier that fell not too long back is a Mr. “Bucky” Anderson from his local area. Clayton wanted to do something to highlight Mr. Anderson’s sacrifice and the other soldiers from the local area so he started an effort to build a memorial in recognition of Bucky and other fallen warriors. He approached the family about it and got an initial verbal approval. Again, let me highlight that Clayton has done this all on his own and for completely unselfish reasons. Only to highlight the warriors that protect his and all of our freedoms as American citizens.

The Anderson family has been taken advantage of (purely my opinion) by outside forces and made to believe that Clayton and his efforts to memorialize Bucky and others have been with a hidden and unscrupulous agenda.

We have interviewed Clayton several times on YouServed radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/youserved to get updates (Episode #112, Episode #110) . My good buddy CJ has pushed for our readers/listeners to contact county board members and other civil officials who have made themselves part of this controversy and try and understand why they are ruling against Mr. Merwin when it is not their place or without hearing both sides of the story.

I was recently made away of a Soldiers’ Angel volunteer who has a blog that lives in the nearby area who started writing about this situation so I went to visit the blog. After reading it over at http://kasee60.blogspot.com/2010/10/sadly-controversy-surrounds-memorial.html I decided to comment. Below is my comment on her blog entry. I think it explains pretty well where I am coming from.

Kathi,

I thank you for looking into this and not really coming to any uneducated opinions. Yes there is controversy around this memorial and sadly it has come from Bucky’s family who have let themselves get manipulated by outside influences.

As a host and blogger on Youserved.com, in addition to blogging at bouhammer.com, and militarypundits.com I can tell you that Mr. Merwin’s interest in this whole thing has been to try and do something right and honor not only Bucky, but also all the fallen vets from the local area. However the Anderson’s appear to have gotten themselves spun up into such a tizzy that they cannot find a way out without swallowing a lot of crow.

Mr. Merwin has tried over and over to reach out to the family after initially consulting with them about the memorial and getting their verbal approval. They refuse to work with him and approach it with a “my way or no way” mentality. It is really sad, because this is not about them, Mr. Merwin or anyone else walking this planet. It is a about Bucky and those that have fallen like him....

Bouhammer has much more to say, and in order to get another side to this whole sad saga, you must go read it here.

Full disclosure: I have talked to Clayton and his wife at length. I also have talked to CJ - who I have known for a number of years - about this specific topic, and I also know Bouhammer, both as a veteran who served his country for many years, and as co-host of YouServed BTR.

There's an expression that says 'you are known by the company you keep.' CJ, Bouhammer and Clayton and his wife are ALL honourable people, and unselfishness is an attribute they all have in abundance. When I first heard of the difficulties that Clayton and his wife are experiencing with this memorial (on Yankeemom's BTR show,) I was really perturbed, so yes, I did call in, and had a three way conversation with Yankeemom and Clayton.

Following on from that, I had long talks with Clayton and his wife, as we all tried to figure out how we could resolve this so that Bucky and other local veterans could be appropriately honoured. It distresses me terribly to hear of Clayton, who is gaining NOTHING from this selfless desire to honour the fallen troops, being subjected to so much grief..

My long time readers know very well, I have a special place in my heart for Gold Star Families. I can't even imagine the grief they must have to wade through. I stand with many others in attempting to honour them and their loved ones who sacrificed all to serve their country. We all know that grief does terrible things to the human heart, and often distorts our interactions with people around us; people who offer themselves with only the purest of motives.

There is much more to this story, which is not mine to share. I post what Bouhammer says here, to remind people that there is always more than one side to any story. In this specific story, the media has - again - fallen short, to the point that other well-meaning folks could be forgiven thinking that Clayton is a 'villain' here.

Trust me: he is so far from that. He opened his heart to this Gold Star Family, and gave of his time and commitment with no expectation of gain for himself. And oh yes, he has made NOT ONE CENT for his efforts. That is not - and has never been - his goal. To prove that particular point, he opened his books to a local legal official to put the lie to baseless allegations that had been made against him.

I do have faith that a memorial will eventually be erected to honour Bucky and the other local heroes. I do believe that cooler heads will prevail, but in the meantime I ask myself: What would Bucky do?