Invading Minnesota

Vinnie, Dom jr., and Nancy Driano
Minnesota

The AI tour van, its drivers and their clothing received a much needed washing up in Minnesota earlier this week.  Dom Driano jr. was in ROTC at Notre Dame during his college years and served his country in both the US Army and the USAF.  Thanks very much for the hospitality Dom and Nancy!

On entering Minnesota from Iowa on Interstate 35 we were greeted by a bouquet of jets.

Minnesota jets

Minnesota joined the Union in 1858 just in time to participate in the bloodiest war in American history -- the US Civil war.  More recently, many of the Somali actors featured in the recent Hollywood film Captain Phillips with Tom Hanks were from Minnesota.

All in all Minnesota was an excellent rest area for the AI tour.

Thanks again Dom and Nancy.

www.americainvades.com

Invading Iowa

Iowa Cornfields

The America Invades tour headed out of Nebraska and into the cornfields of Iowa on our way to Minnesota.  We stopped in Des Moines at Beaverdale Books (http://beaverdalebooks.com/) and met the charming proprietor Alice Meyer.  You will find signed copies of our work at her excellent store.

CK with Alice Meyer
Beaverdale Books, Des Moines, Iowa

We stopped for a fantastic lunch at Good Sons restaurant and pub (http://goodsonsdsm.com/goodsonsdsm.com/Home.html) in Beaverdale.  They had a draft ginger beer which was refreshing and delicious.  A gentleman named Tennessee served us with great courtesy allowing us to display a poster for the book.

We stopped for diesel at a gas station in a small town in northern Iowa where a veteran of the "All-American" 82nd airborne division purchased a copy of the book.  Thanks for your service!  Across from the station was a memorial to Iowa servicemen which kind of sums up the message of America Invades (www.amzn.com/1940598427) really well...

Iowa Service Memorial

"THIS MEMORIAL IS NOT TO HONOR WAR. BUT TO SHOW THE PRICE OF PEACE LEST FUTURE GENERATIONS FORGET THE SACRIFICE MADE TO MAINTAIN OUR FREEDOM."

The Iowa National Guard is partnered with Kosovo.

Iowa remembers!

We look forward to paying more tribute to the servicemen of Iowa when we visit the USS Iowa (http://www.pacificbattleship.com/) in Long Beach California on 11/4.

For more photographs, videos and information or to order your own copy of America Invades please visit our web site...

www.americainvades.com

Invading Nebraska

CK with Gene Dunn owner of Gorat's
Warren Buffet's favorite steakhouse

On Monday October 6 we invaded Nebraska with the America Invades tour driving from Denver to Omaha.  Wind gusts buffeted our nine foot high van around the interstate highway.

Johnny Carson, USN

Johnny Carson was one of the most famous native sons of Nebraska.  Carson himself was an "American Invader" who served in the US Navy during the Cold War.

In a recent biography written by his lawyer, tennis partner and friend, Henry Bushkin ("Bombastic Bushkin" per Carson) we read  about the following conversation...

"'Ever been to Nebraska, Henry?' he asked.  Nebraska, of course is where Carson was raised . 'No, of course you haven't; why would you have?  Let me tell you, Henry -- it's terrible.  The roads, the wind, the snow, the mud, the freezing weather.  But the people...they couldn't be nicer or friendlier.'"

Source: Johnny Carson, Henry Bushkin, 2013.

CK and Gene Dunn
Omaha, Nebraska

Carson really knew Nebraska.  We were welcomed to Nebraska by Gene Dunn the owner of Gorat's in Omaha -- Warren Buffet's favorite steakhouse (http://goratsomaha.com/).  The filet mignon was incredibly tender and delicious.  We left a signed copy of America Invades (www.amzn.com/1940598427 NOW IN STOCK AT AMAZON) for Warren's enjoyment.

We met Omaha native Beth Black who has just opened a new location for Omaha's best bookstore -- The Bookworm (http://www.bookwormomaha.com/).  You can find signed copies of our book with Beth at her beautiful new store.

USAF Missile
Air and Space Museum, Nebraska

We also visited the Strategic Air and Space museum (http://www.sasmuseum.com/) in Ashland, Nebraska which is about 12 miles West of Omaha.  The museum has a strong focus on the role of missiles and aviation in our defense system.

Strategic Air Command
SAS Museum, Ashland, NE

The Strategic air command has strong roots in Nebraska and other Western states such as Wyoming.  A plaque prominently displayed in the museum makes the point that "the cold war didn't just end...it was won."  The sacrifice and devotion of several generations of servicemen and women were needed in order to win the Cold war for the West.

B-25 Mitchell
SAS Museum, Ashland, NE

The SAS museum had a collection of historic planes such as the B-25 Mitchell that was used in Doolittle's famous raid on Tokyo.

"War Weary", C-47 Dakota
SAS Museum, Ashland, NE

I particularly enjoyed the nose art that adorns several of their WW2 vintage aircraft.

"Lucky Lady"
SAS Museum, Ashland, NE

We were indeed lucky to be able to visit the friendly folks of Nebraska.

If you can't make it to The Bookworm in Omaha you can now order our book America Invades directly from our web site...

www.americainvades.com

Invading Colorado

CK and B-52, Air Force Academy

Colorado Springs is home to the US Air Force Academy.  The America Invades (www.amzn.com/1940598427) tour has our first tailgating event at Falcon Stadium for a game featuring Air Force and Navy.

Parachuting into Falcon Stadium

Parachutists dropped by to kick off the game that Air Force won 30 to 21, opening the season with a strong 4 - 1 record.  We gave out many AI stickers to boy scouts and other kids at the game.

AI at Falcon Stadium, 10/4/14

On Sunday the AI van went to Sports Authority at Mile High to tailgate with Denver Bronco fans.  The Broncos beat the Arizona Cardinals 41 to 20 which is great news for Seahawks fans too!

AI invades Bronco Country

We even met up with Bronco fans from the UK who were visiting for their first NFL game in the USA.

British Blokes
Invading America

Bronco fans were in a friendly and festive mood to root on their team.

Bronco Band

We also discovered a Voodoo Doughnuts (http://voodoodoughnut.com/index.php) on Colfax in Denver.  The Voodoo that you do so well.  Dangerously good doughnuts!

www.americainvades.com

Invading Wyoming

Welcome to Wyoming!

The first thing that one notices driving into Wyoming is that things are a little bit different here.  The Wyoming speed limit on its open roads is 80 mile per hour.  Only Wyoming, Utah, and Idaho have an 80 mph speed limit -- some parts of rural Texas have an 85 mph limit.

America Invades / America Theatre
Downtown Casper

America Invades invaded Casper Wyoming which is known as the "Oil City".  In America Invades we mention that Wyoming's national guard is partnered with Tunisia.  Yes, we invaded Tunisia in 1942 during World War II capturing Rommel's Africa Corps and thousand of Italian soldiers.

Wyoming Sunset

"Americans brought war of a different kind in 1976 to Tunisia again when George Lucas filmed parts of Episode IV: A New Hope in Tunisia. Star Wars would return to film parts of Episodes I and II in the Tunisian desert as well."

Source: America Invades, Kelly / Laycock, 2014, www.amzn.com/1940598427

The America Invades tour stopped in Casper Wyoming this week.  We found the locals friendly and welcoming.  We didn't even mind the snow that greeted us in early October.

KTWO Casper

We had our first TV interview with KTWO in Casper http://www.k2tv.com/newscasts.php?id=5996. Thanks very much Alexandra Lehnert.

Wind City Books
Casper, WY

We had a book signing at Wind City Books (http://www.windcitybooks.com/).  I was delighted to meet and sign a book for Ben Castillo in Casper.

www.americainvades.com

Invading Montana

Do you remember the Soviet Naval Captain Vasili Borodin played by Sam Neill in the Hunt for Red October, one of the great war films and novels of all time?  Do you remember his dying words aboard the submarine in the awareness that his personal defection would not succeed?  He says simply, "I would have liked to have seen Montana."

I really liked seeing Montana on the America Invades (www.amzn.com/1940598427) book tour this past week.

Vinnie in Big Sky

My brother in law Vincent Driano and I had an awesome time invading Montana this past week.  The views of Big Sky country were incomparable.  The hospitality with friends and family was extraordinary.  We also made some new friends along the way.

Barbara Theroux
Fact and Fiction Books, Missoula, MT

We stopped at Barbara's Theroux's Fact and Fiction Books in Missoula (http://www.factandfictionbooks.com/).  I am pleased to report that America Invades is now available in both her Missoula locations.

James Heath, Missoula MT
Fact and Fiction Books

I was delighted to reconnect with my brother in law Jimmie Heath who is a talented ceramics artist in Missoula.  Good luck hunting with the boys Jimmie!

Sloane, Katie, Thomas and me
Missoula, MT

We had a wonderful visit with my dear sister Katie Heath who is the Yoga queen of Missoula, MT (http://www.yogafitnesscenter.net/).  Her business is flourishing.  The BBQ was delicious.  We even had an opportunity to protest civil rights abuses in Cuba by ritually burning some of their agricultural products!

CK and Mary Beth
Bozeman, MT

We stopped in Bozeman and had lunch with an old friend Mary Beth Marks and her husband Randy.  She is a television consultant who has chosen to make Montana here home.  She and Randy both love dogs.

CK and Custer Monument

I was very excited to visit the Little Big Horn battlefield, site of Custer's famous last stand in 1876.  Five companies of the US 7th Cavalry was wiped out by a much larger force of Sioux Indian warriors.  I have written about Custer previously...http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2013/01/custer-and-little-big-horn.html.

CK with horses
Little Big Horn, MT

I was fascinated to learn about the high percentage of foreign born soldiers that served in the 7th Cavalry.  There were many Irishmen, Germans and even several Italians serving in the US Army in the old west.

Custer's last epistle
West Point Museum, NY

John Martin was born Giovanni Martini in Sola Consalina in 1853.  He was a trumpeter with company H.  He also survived and later died in Brooklyn NY in 1922.  He carried the last message that Custer ever wrote to Captain Benteen.  I have a photo of this message from the West Point museum.

George Armstrong Custer

Custer was initially buried in the "greasy grass" on last stand hill but his remains were later moved to West Point.  There he rests as a perpetual reminder of the price of American invasions.

www.americainvades.com

Invading Idaho

Lake Coeur d'Alene
Idaho

Driving through Northern Idaho on I-90 the first thing one notices is the beauty of Coeur d'Alene lake.  This is an enormous lake that is a very popular spot for vacationers in the Northwest.

Vincent Driano and the Captain America Van!
Idaho

Vincent Driano, my brother-in-law, arrived in Spokane to accompany me on the AI tour.  He is in the van texting away.

Red Baron
Kellogg Idaho

Kellogg Idaho lies in the Silver valley of Northern Idaho.  The community still has active silver mining in the mountains here.  Someone in Kellogg must like the Red Baron and so do I...http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-red-baron.html.

Silver Valley Veterans Memorial
Kellogg, Idaho.

It is not hard to find evidence of American Invasions in Idaho.  In Kellogg you will find a prominent Silver Valley Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  There were Vietnam veterans who fell in that war from all fifty states including Idaho.  Marine First Lieutenant Frank Reasoner was killed in Vietnam in 1967 at the age of 27 (see video below).

Frank Stanley Reasoner, First Lieutenant, USMC
Kellog Idaho

In our new work America Invades we write...

"Today the names of 58,193 Americans who died while serving in Vietnam line the wall of the Vietnam Veterans memorial in Washington, DC. Our own casualty totals, however, were dwarfed by those of the Vietnamese people. Over two hundred thousand ARVN, about 1.1 million Communist troops (Viet Cong and People’s Army of Vietnam), and about two million Vietnamese civilians were killed, all told about 3.3 million Vietnamese.

After the war was over, both sides claimed that it had been a noble effort. President Ronald Reagan dedicating the Vietnam memorial in Washington, DC, said, “We remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause.” General Giap, who had been taught to throw hand grenades by an American, said in the 1990s that, for his side, the war had been a noble sacrifice."

Source: America Invades, www.amzn.com/1940598427

American Legion
Kellog, Idaho

The Silver Valley in Idaho remembers the sacrifice of its veterans and celebrates their bravery.

www.americainvades.com