KRUSING AMERICA Wins again at Veterans Film Festival!

                  With it's 32nd award in 4 months, KRUSING AMERICA wins

             Best Series Short at the Veterans, Soldiers & Sailors Cinema Festival! 

Director, Producer, Creator: Linda Kruse with her brother
Lt. Colonel Victor Krus, the focus of KRUSING AMERICA.

"It is such a huge honor to win at the VSS Festival this week and to have my brother, the focus of my documentary series available to attend. I am so proud of him and everyone that has helped make this series such a success. Filmmaking is a collaborative business – it takes so many people to pull it all together so to be awarded so many awards in such a short period of time, I am beyond amazed.  I was blown away by the support  and generosity we received while filming KRUSING AMERICA and today I am reminded again. I am truly in awe of all that this documentary has accomplished and encouraged that people are interested in heartfelt entertainment." said Linda Kruse creator of KRUSING AMERICA.

Veterans, Soldiers & Sailors Cinema Festival is sponsored by Big House Los Angeles Entertainment Festival in partnership with the National Veterans Foundation.  This one day showcase festival is one of the few film festivals to highlight filmmakers that are former military Veterans as well as active Soldiers and Sailors. VSS even welcomes foreign military and former military personnel from around the world!

Screenings are held each year on Veterans Day at LA LIVE in downtown Los Angeles. Filmmakers of all types were encouraged to submit and stories do not have to be of war or military related to qualify.

VSS 2015 Final Results:
BEST FILM – HEROES DON’T WEAR CAPES by Wright Brothers
BEST DOCUMENTARY – RECOVERING 

by Michael De Yoanna
BEST SERIES – KRUSING AMERICA 

by Linda Kruse
BEST SHORT – ALLAH COCKBAR 

by Robert Johnson
BEST SCREENPLAY – TERMINUS 

by Fred Perry

VSS Founders with Linda Kruse & Lt. Colonel Victor Krus

********************************

For more information, visit www.krusingamerica.com

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Travel Tuesday: Don't Forget Those That Can't Go Home.

On one of the busiest travel days of the year – Not everyone goes home for Thanksgiving. Don't forget those that can't go home….

Thousands of uniformed men and women can't return home for Thanksgiving this year. As Americans, we have to take pause to make sure our service members know we're thinking of them and are grateful for their sacrifices.  

Thank our Armed Forces and their families for their sacrifices by signing the USO's card this Thanksgiving.  Show Your Support!

http://action.uso.org/thanksgivingcard

Women on Wednesday: American Widow Project

Every once in awhile I stumble onto a really amazing cause - 

THIS group of women is perfect for The KRUSING AMERICA Women on Wednesday: 

I'm sure you've heard it said that you should check online every now and again to see what's being put out there on the Internet about you. So I "Googled" my name and found someone with the same last name but with a very different story. 

Miranda Kruse, wife of CPO Jerald Kruse of the US Navy is also part of American Widow Project. Which as you can imagine, means her husband passed away. Having been raised in a military family, I know all too well the sacrifices soldiers and families make for their country. But when a soldier dies - we often forget what happens to that family, particularly the spouses. Those military wives that have been holding families together now have to find a way to hold themselves together. 

Which is exactly what this group does and exactly why American Widow Project is my Women on Wednesday blog post. 

Did you know, Since 2001, over 6,600 U.S. service members have lost their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. This number does not include the thousands more who have lost their lives due to sudden illness, accident, homicide or those that have taken their own lives due to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. At the same time, more than 3,600 young military widows face their worst nightmare when they receive that dreadful knock on the door by two military in uniform notifying them of their spouse’s death.

While the service member’s sacrifice is often acknowledged by society, many simply forget or fail to recognize the sacrifice of the spouse who is now left a grieving military widow. Oftentimes the invisible wounds of military widows are disregarded due to age or a simple lack of knowledge and understanding.

The American Widow Project recognizes the sacrifices made by the families of our fallen and believes that no military widow should feel alone in her grief. Every military widow deserves the opportunity and tangible tools available to help rebuild her life. Because of that, the American Widow Project provides the vital peer-to-peer, emotional, and educational support necessary to maximize success, healing and hope for a brighter future.

To get involved:

Donate, Volunteer, Fundraise visit – 

http://americanwidowproject.org

Twitter: @americanwp

Facebook: 

www.facebook.com/americanwidowproject

********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Throwback Thursday: Inquisitive Nature + Wanderlust

What happens when an inquisitive nature meets wanderlust?

The life of KRUSING AMERICA creator / producer / director Linda Kruse

Linda Kruse N9 - Northern Outpost Kuwait DMZ 2003

From a very early age I knew I wanted to travel the world and learn as much as possible, meet people and learn what makes them who they are today. 

I recently found this picture of me on the DMZ (Demilitarized Zone) of Kuwait. I was filming on the boarders of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Kuwait in 2003. I was working on a "peace-keeping" documentary when I learned we were no longer 'at peace' and about to invade Iraq. 

So much for the "peace-keeping" idea! It may have delayed things then but it certainly didn't stop me. Even today, I still want to know and understand why things are the way they are?

And in fact, now I make content that highlights people, places and organizations committed to learning and finding peaceful ways to function in todays world. My hope is for my readers, viewers, followers and subscribers to find their inquisitive nature and visit with me. 

My Throwback Thursday is a reminder to find your purpose in life. Maybe start with figuring out your personality traits: For me - it's an 'Inquisitive Nature' meets 'Wanderlust'.

Inquisitive Nature means being very curious, always wanting to find out details. To know what's going on and asking a lot of questions. Wanderlust is a strong, innate impulse or desire to travel or explore the world often in order to find oneself. 

I wouldn't want it any other way. 

I'm curious what motivates you to travel? What experiences have shaped who you are today - CONNECT with us and share your travel stories on our Social Media links below. 

********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook

www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Spiritual Sunday: Yesterday May 30th was actually Memorial Day originally called Decoration Day.

Rounding out my week of blogging about Memorial Day and the Military – it seems fitting to touch a bit on Military history...Yesterday May 30th was actually Memorial Day but originally called Decorations Day. Read on to learn more….

Note: 

Memorial Day is not to be confused with Veterans Day; Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving, while Veterans Day celebrates the service of all U.S. military veterans.

Our debt to the heroic men and valiant women in the service of our country 

can never be repaid. They have earned our undying gratitude. 

America will never forget their sacrifices. 

– Harry S. Truman

by Harry S. Truman

Decoration Day now Memorial Day 

Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, originated as Decoration Day after the American Civil War in 1868, when General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of Union veterans — established it as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. By the 20th century, competing Union and Confederate holiday traditions, celebrated on different days, had merged, and Memorial Day eventually extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.

Many people visit cemeteries and memorials, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries.

Annual Decoration Days for particular cemeteries are held on a Sunday in late spring or early summer in some rural areas of the American South, notably in the mountain areas. In cases involving a family graveyard where remote ancestors as well as those who were deceased more recently are buried, this may take on the character of an extended family reunion to which some people travel hundreds of miles. People gather on the designated day and put flowers on graves and renew contacts with relatives and others. There often is a religious service and a picnic-like "dinner on the ground," the traditional term for a potluck meal in which people used to spread the dishes out on sheets or tablecloths on the grass. It is believed that this practice began before the American Civil War and thus may reflect the real origin of the "memorial day" idea.

This information was provided by: 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Armed_Forces. 

Additional information by:

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/civil-war-dead-honored-on-decoration-day

********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Saturday Study & Learn: All the Organizations available to help our Military & their families...

My hope for this blog is to help you find a cause and organization(s) that speaks to your heart and participate in any way you can.

For my "Saturday Study & Learn" section of my blog for Memorial Week - one of the things that I learned are ALL of the organization set up to help our service men and women and their families.

If you want to support our Military:

Below are a few of the hundreds of organization that are available and doing amazing things in this country for our Military.

Read, click, participate...

Operation Gratitude @OpGratitude
Volunteers sending Care Packages to Deployed Troops, their Children left behind, Veterans & Wounded Warriors; 100% donation-based, non-profit Every Care Package counts
OperationGratitude.com



Operation Homefront @Op_Homefront
Operation Homefront provides emergency financial and other assistance to the families of our service members and wounded warriors.
All 50 States!
operationhomefront.net



Fisher House @FisherHouseFdtn
Fisher House Foundation builds comfort homes at major military & VA hospitals for families to stay at while their loved one is getting care.
fisherhouse.org



Real Warriors @realwarriors
Campaign sponsored by@DCoEPage.
Join us in supporting resilience! Following ≠ endorsement.
For 24/7 support
realwarriors.net

********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Friday Foodie for Soldiers: C-Rations / MRE (Meals, Ready-to-Eat)

If I'm going to continue with the Military theme for Memorial week on my KRUSING AMERICA blog then Friday Foodie has to be MRE's: Meals, Ready-to-Eat. I grew up with an Army Dad - Back then they were called C-Rations  – The Soldiers Food Supply in the Military. Until this research I really had no idea exactly where C-Rations or MRE's came from….read on to learn more.

Below is a cool picture from a US Airman's Meal, Combat, Individual C-ration in DaNang, Vietnam, circa 1966 - 1967 and a few fun food facts that not too many people would know:

"Crations" by Paul Mashburn (Flickr user: Mushy's Captures)

The history of C-Ration, or Type C ration, started with an individual canned, pre-cooked, and prepared wet ration. It was intended to be issued to US military land forces when fresh food (A-ration) or packaged unprepared food (B-ration) prepared in mess halls or field kitchens was impractical or not available, and when a survival ration (K-ration or D-ration) was insufficient.

Development began in 1938 with the first rations being field tested in 1940 and wide-scale adoption following soon after. The C ration was replaced in 1958 with the Meal Combat Individual (MCI). Although officially a new ration, the MCI was derived from and very similar to the original C ration, and in fact continued to be called "C rations" by American troops throughout its production life as a combat ration (1958–1980).

From http://my-vietnam-stories.blogspot.com

Although the replacement for the MCI, the MRE, was formally adopted as the Department of Defense combat ration in 1975, the first large-scale production test did not occur until in 1978 with the first MRE I rations packed and delivered in 1981. While the MRE officially replaced the MCI in 1981, previously packed MCI rations continued to be issued until depleted.

MRE (MEALS, READY-TO-EAT)
Quick nutrition for soldiers on the go

MREs are the main operational food ration for the United States Armed Forces. It originated from the c-rations and k-rations from World War II, and later developed into MCI (Meal, Combat, Individual) rations used in Korea and Vietnam. In 1980 the MRE was developed and is still the U.S. Army's primary ration.

Generally, a MRE contains the following items:

• Entree - the main course, such as spaghetti or beef stew
• Side dish - rice, corn, fruit, or mashed potatoes, etc.
• Cracker or bread
• Spread - peanut butter, jelly, or cheese spread
• Dessert - cookies or pound cakes
• Candy - M&Ms, Skittles, or Tootsie Rolls
• Beverages - Gatorade-like mixes, cocoa, dairy shakes, coffee, tea
• Hot sauce or seasoning - in some MREs
• Flameless Ration Heater - to heat the entree
• Accessories - spoon, matches, creamer, sugar, salt, chewing gum, toilet paper, etc.

Each MRE provides an average of 1,250 calories (13 percent protein, 36 percent fat, and 51 percent carbohydrates) and one-third of the Military Recommended Daily Allowance of vitamins and minerals. A full day's worth of meals would consist of three MREs.

HOW TO EAT A MRE

A MRE is truly a "Meal Ready to Eat", although it tastes much better when heated with the supplied ration heater and powdered drinks are mixed with water. The contents—heated and cold—can be eaten out of the wrappers with the plastic utensils provided. The meals are designed to be cooked and eaten anywhere, at any time. There is no need to find a table or a kitchen in which to set up.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Soldiers can choose from up to 24 entrees, and more than an additional 150 items in the MRE chain.
• MREs must be capable of withstanding parachute drops from 1,250 feet, and non-parachute drops of 100 feet.
• The packaging is required to maintain a minimum shelf life of three and a half years at 80 degrees F or nine months at 100 degrees F.
• Spread - peanut butter, jelly, or cheese spread
• In 2006, "Beverage Bags" were introduced to the MRE, as service members began to depend more on CamelBaks or other hydration bladders than canteens, which denied them the use of the metal canteen cups for mixing powdered beverages. In addition to having measuring marks to indicate levels of liquid for precise measurement, they can be sealed and placed inside the flameless heater.
• Founded in 1987, AmeriQual, headquartered in Evansville, Indian, is the largest provider of Meals, Ready-to-Eat to the U.S. military.

Partial Content provided by: 

http://www.goarmy.com/soldier-life

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C-ration

********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Throwback Thursday: Bob Hope's USO - "Thanks for the Memory" and Wounded Warrior Project

In keeping with Memorial Week and military theme in this weeks KRUSING AMERICA blog – I have to point out some of the many contributions ONE person can make in their life time.

My earliest memories growing up as an Army Brat overseas are of USO shows with Bob Hope. I remember Mr. Hope visiting our Army base in Germany just to entertain the soldiers and their families. Mr. Hope even brought the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders one year. As you can imagine - that was a real moral booster for the troops. He use to talk about this little town where he lived in California called Toluca Lake. Nearly 30 years later I now live in Toluca Lake and in fact, I live just down the street from The Hopes.

Bob Hope was celebrated for his long career performing United Service Organizations (USO) shows to entertain active service American military personnel—he made 57 tours for the USO between 1941 and 1991—Hope was declared an honorary veteran of the United States Armed Forces in 1997 by act of the U.S. Congress.

Bob and his wife of 69-years, Dolores have since passed away but his contribution to the US Solider will always be remembered. 

Bob Hope died on July 27, 2003 two months after his 100th birthday in his home in Toluca Lake. Dolores lived to be 102.

With a career spanning nearly 80 years, Mr. Hope appeared in over 70 films and hosted the Academy Awards 18 times (more than any other host).

Born Leslie Townes "Bob" Hope, (May 29, 1903 – July 27, 2003), was an English-born American comedian, vaudevillian, actor, singer, dancer, athlete, and author.

The song "Thanks For the Memory" is widely regarded as Hope's signature tune.

After his death, newspaper cartoonists worldwide paid tribute to his work for the USO or featured Bing Crosby (who died in 1977) welcoming Hope into heaven.

For more on Bob Hope's life visit: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Hope

BOB & DOLORES HOPE CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Founded in 1962 for the charitable purposes of religious, educational, charitable, scientific, literary, testing for public safety, fostering national or international amateur sports competitions and the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

Bob Hope always supported the troops including raising millions of dollars for military home front groups that provide vital services and programs for military men and women and their families.

As well as The Wounded Warrior Project. WWP is a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. It serves to raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women, to help severely injured service members aid and assist each other and to provide unique, direct programs and services to meet their needs.

For more information, please visit

 www.woundedwarriorproject.org

********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Wednesday: When Women Changed Military History

In honor of Memorial Day & Week – my KRUSING AMERICA blog on Wednesday features Women and MAKERS: The largest video collection of women's stories…revisiting iconic moments in history when women changed the culture of the United States military.

Although women have been actively involved in the military since 1775, their roles were limited to fields like nursing, cooking and sewing.

Captain Linda Bray

Some women were involved in combat as far back as the Revolutionary War, although they enlisted under male aliases to protect their female identity.

From the iconic moment when Captain Linda Bray became the first woman to lead men into combat, to the first woman to ever enlist, below are a few historic highlights from women in the military.

• In 1917, Loretta Walsh becomes the first woman to enlist in the military. She was the first American active-duty Navy woman.

• In 1918, Opha M. Johnson enlisted as the first woman in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve.

• In 1976, the first group of women was admitted into U.S. military academies.

• In 1995, Air Force Academy graduate Lieutenant Kelly Flinn became the first woman B-52 Bomber Pilot.

In May of 2015 Lt. Colonel Christine Mau became the first female F-35 fighter jet pilot

See more on Lt. Colonel Christine Mau

• The first, and only, woman to receive the distinguished Medal of Honor was: Dr. Mary E. Walker, a contract surgeon during the Civil War.

Colonel (R) Jill W. Chambers

Be sure to watch the videos below of MAKERS Women: Including Colonel (R) Jill W. Chambers, who is widely recognized as the first person in the history of the U.S. Military to develop a successful PTSD program for recovering soldiers.

For more on @MAKERSwomen visit: 
http://www.makers.com/blog/women-military-history

**************************************

Linda Kruse creator of KRUSING AMERICA is committed to building a better future 

and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV

Travel Tuesday: USO – Until Every One Comes Home!

On this Memorial Day I wanted to spend more than just a 'day or a weekend' on THIS topic… So I've decided to use the entire week of KRUSING AMERICA blog posts to highlight the US Armed Forces and other organization that are especially designed to help all that serve.

As an Army Brat most of my formative years, being born, raised and growing up outside the US for the first 16 years of my life - I became very familiar with the USO and all that they did for my Dad and family for the 25+ years my Dad served in the Army. Then later for my brother and the family of KRUSING AMERICA. And of course for all the other troops and families to this day. For 70 years the USO provides a tangible way for all of us to say, "Thank you!" Highlighting the best of the best in this KRUSING AMERICA blog – this is one of the way I can say "Thank you" back!

If you're not familiar with the US - please read on.

As a nonprofit, non-political organization, the USO is now, and always will be, about our troops. Wherever and whenever they go, the USO will be there, until every one comes home.

UNITED SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS (USO)

The USO provides morale, welfare and recreation-type serves to US uniformed military personnel.

Supporting America’s troops was the first mission of the USO. In 1941, as it became clear that the nation was heading into World War II, several organizations mobilized to support the growing US military:

These organization consisted of the Salvation Army, Young Men’s Christian Association, Young Women’s Christian Association, National Catholic Community Services, National Travelers Aid Association and the National Jewish Welfare Board.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt created synergy among these agencies by forming the United Service Organizations, with the objective of providing the emotional support the troops needed.

Over time, the USO has evolved, developing new programs and services to meet the ever-changing needs of the troops and their families, while holding fast to the original mission. 

Today, the USO continues to lift the spirits of America’s troops and their families, and will continue to be there for them until every one comes home.

For 70 years the USO provides a tangible way for all of us to say, "Thank you!" 

ABOUT THE USO: 

Throughout this country's history, Americans have felt a profound appreciate and gratitude for the dedication and sacrifice of our troops and their families. 

Thanks to your generosity, the USO fulfills its mission of lifting the spirits of America’s troops and their families. Through the USO, you touch their lives through an extensive range of programs at more than 160 locations in 27 states and 14 countries, and at hundreds of entertainment events each year. Thousands of USO volunteers do everything possible to provide a home away from home for our troops and to keep them connected to the families they left behind.

The USO makes sure your help goes to those who need it the most: troops serving in combat, their families, our wounded warriors and their families, and families of the fallen.

As a nonprofit, non-political organization, the USO is now, and always will be, about our troops. 

Wherever and whenever they go, the USO will be there, until every one comes home.

For more information visit:

http://www.uso.org

**********************************

We’re committed to building a better future and highlighting the best of the best of us. 

We're always looking for great places and great people to feature on this blog…

Please send a message

CONNECT with us, JOIN the conversation, 

SUBSCRIBE to our YouTube Channel to see more!

www.youtube.com/KrusingAmerica

Thanks for watching and subscribing, 

Linda Kruse

KRUSING AMERICA

Creator / Producer / Director

FOLLOW us on Twitter @KrusingAmerica  @lindamkruse   @AtticusProd

LIKE us on Facebook www.facebook.com/KrusingAmericaTV