Veterans News Flash
History Channel, Third Army Tell Soldiers' Stories

By Spc. Tanya Van Buskirk
Army News Service

ATLANTA, July 12, 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 in Atlanta, Ga., last week.

The television series is filming its 100th episode on the DVIDS mission and how Third Army Public Affairs tells service members' stories around the world through DVIDS and satellite technology.

"Third Army's DVIDS and ‘Mail Call' are trying to do the same job," said R. Lee Ermey, host of "Mail Call."

DVIDS has provided Ermey and his team numerous video clips produced by military journalists capturing Soldiers' hard work in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar. Video and photos arrive at the DVIDS hub in Atlanta via satellite technology. Once there, products are marketed to news outlets by a team of media relations specialists.

Both DVIDS and ‘Mail Call' present constructive views of the war to the American people, said Ermey, who has firsthand knowledge of the importance of balanced reporting.

The former Marine staff sergeant served 11 years on active duty, with one tour in Vietnam and 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."

"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 that modern technology is available to help them get the job done."

The show seems to be making the desired impact on the viewers. Ermey has learned from military recruiters that enlistment is up because of "Mail Call." And for the first time ever, 14-year-olds are walking into recruiters' offices to ask how they can prepare to join the military when they turn 18.

More information, videos and photos need to be made available to the media, said Ermey. "And that is what DVIDS is here to do."

Third Army and other military units use DVIDS to engage the public through mass media and to 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, DVIDS director of operations.

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 war on terror," Beckman said.

The 100th episode featuring DVIDS will air on The History Channel in early fall. For air times, check www.historychannel.com.

SOURCE: VNIS

top of page