Featured in the TV program was Veteran actor, Charles Durning, who was a U.S. Army Ranger during WWII. Durning won the Silver Star for gallantry and was awarded three Purple Hearts for bravery at Normandy.

Buy Tea Are the World today and support America’s Mighty Warriors

Despite his remarkable achievements and sacrifices for freedom, still moved after all these years, Durning humbly stood at the podium and wept for his fallen brothers. Wow.  Do they make real men like Durning anymore?

After the TV program honoring Durning and other American heroes, the following program honored great American conscientious objectors.

Folks, it was quite annoying watching these guys, conscientious objectors, being portrayed as superior human beings while pontificating about the evils of war and why they chose not to participate. I thought, “You guys are free to enjoy success, freedom and spout your crap ‘in English’ because brave men like Charles Durning fought on your behalf. How dare you!”

Debbie Lee is the mom of Marc Alan Lee, the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. On numerous occasions, Marc stepped up putting himself at risk to defend his fellow soldiers. In response to the death of her decorated son and experiencing first hand the challenges facing the families of fallen soldiers, Debbie Lee founded AmericasMightyWarriors.org.

Almost a year ago, musicians, singers, and bands across America responded to my call to come together to record a song titled “Taking Back America” and donate their recorded songs for an album to celebrate America, honor our military, and benefit the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, AmericasMightyWarriors.org.

The response was overwhelming. From Country music to rap by a black conservative and every genre in between, we selected the best 44 songs from hundreds of submissions. Jo Piazza at FoxNews titled the project Tea Are the World.”

Now, here is the truly heartwarming divine providence aspect of the project. We had no money for recording, manufacturing, distribution, or marketing. When asked about such details, my response was, “I don’t know?” I felt God only instructed me to put out the call to musicians. He did not fill me in on how it would all come together.

Remember the old Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland movies? In the films a character would say, “Let’s put on our own show!” Another character would say, “That’s a great idea! My uncle has 500 chairs stored in his garage.” They would rally together and put on an amazing production.

Tea Are the World pretty much came together the same way. Get this folks–around 100 musicians across America flew or drove in on their own dime–to Deltona Records in Florida to record “Taking Back America.”

Emmy winning TV producer Norvell Rose informed me that he and his son, Conner, would be coming down from Virginia to attend the recording session to produce a music video and “Making of Tea Are the World” documentary, all for FREE. Both are included on DVD in the Tea Are the World package.

Deltona Records owner, music producer, and engineer Frank Starchak is famed for recording Tupac Shakur and numerous other celebrities. Starchak recorded and produced the 100 musicians singing, “Taking Back America.” Starchak also mastered the 44-song double-CD set included in the Tea Are the World package, completely FREE of charge.

Professional distributor Tom Horn offered to distribute Tea Are the World again FREE of charge.

Singer Lisa Scott Kelly and Debbie Lee, founder of AmericasMightyWarriors.org, shook the trees and found funds for manufacturing, which was our only expense.

Rev. Minion told me how his wife Danielle, a professional graphic designer, got involved. Upon hearing about Tea Are the World on the news, Danielle said, “Honey, I feel I am suppose to help these people.”

Danielle Minion designed the Tea Are the World package and promotional materials. She did all of the production artwork work needed to prepare the package for manufacturing.  Now here is the kicker, after Danielle committed to our project, she became pregnant.

Folks, I am pleased and grateful to announce that Tea Are the World is completed, beautifully packaged and available for purchase. Praise God.

100% of the proceeds from the sale of Tea Are the World go to AmericasMightyWarriors.org which benefits the families of our fallen soldiers.

Because of the sacrifices of our military which include brave women and men like Charles Durning and Marc Alan Lee, we are blessed to enjoy Memorial Day cookouts with our families. Please remember the families of our fallen soldiers.

And so I found myself awake at 2:29 Friday morning. Unable to sleep, thinking of Marc Lee. 

Marc Alan Lee, a brave young man, who made the ultimate sacrifice, on August 2, 2006, while serving with our troops in Iraq.  He was 28 years old. 

I had first learned of Marc, on Thursday morning, as I clicked onto Big Hollywood to get my daily fix of politics and pop culture. What I didn’t know at the time was that this was a different kind of day at my favorite website. The content and articles printed were dedicated solely to the military and their families. 

And so I found myself, reading a letter from one, U.S. Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee.

As a result, my life will never be the same. For the clarity, for the eloquence of his simply stated words, written to his family two weeks before he was killed in Iraq. A powerful letter from a fallen hero. 

An additional article from Marc’s mother Debbie, who I had heard speak on Dennis Prager’s radio program, only made it more special. On Thursday, Big Hollywood was the place to be if you care about our troops, who serve our country with great pride and honor, day in and day out. 

June 25, 2009 was an eventful day for a few reasons. Besides Big Hollywood participating in Troopathon 2009, it was also the day when music icon, Michael Jackson, passed away. Suddenly, out of left field, from an apparent heart attack at the age of 50. 

A major story, with worldwide reverberations, the passing of Michael Jackson on any other day would have probably grabbed a bit more of my attention.  No question, Michael Jackson is a music legend whose contributions will stand the test of time. However, as I mentioned, once I became aware of Marc Lee’s story, the death of Michael Jackson seemed to pale in comparison.    

I found myself throughout the day staying connected to Big Hollywood.  Articles written by some fantastic contributors, Gold Star Mothers and the live stream webcast, from the Reagan Library, were all excellent. 

As the day went on, it seemed impossible to get away from the news gathering around what had happened to Michael Jackson. After picking up my son from work, I talked with him about what seemed to be occurring. I understood the magnitude of the event but somehow, the circus like atmosphere going on outside of UCLA Medical Center, turned me off. It was becoming sort of a 2009 warped version of Billy Wilder’s 1951 film, ‘Ace in the Hole‘. 

I mentioned to my son about what was going on at Big Hollywood, what I learned about Marc Lee and how it frustrated me that all this attention was being given to a pop icon but not an American hero. Being a good son, he listened and suggested I write something about it. I wasn’t sure if I had anything to say on the subject. 

Thursday night, before I hit the hay, I decided to visit the Huffington Post to see what was on their site. Not surprising, a number of stories about the passing of MJ complete with numerous pictures of fans grieving over the loss of the man. Quite the contrast to what had transpired over at Big Hollywood throughout the day.

I thought about what it all meant?

I guess, at the end of the day, what it boils down to is a question of one’s priorities in life. 

And so I found myself, up at 2:29 Friday morning, thinking of a brave young man. Looking at his picture. Reading his last letter to his family. A beautiful man. A sweet soul. A proud warrior, who gave his life for his country. 

For us. 

No matter what the date says, for me, June 25, 2009 will always be the day I came to know Marc Lee. 

To Marc and to all the brave, fallen warriors, who gave their precious lives, in the name of liberty and freedom, God bless you. May God watch over your families and friends, always.

Aug 2, 2006, would be a day that would completely change my life forever. On that dreadful day I heard the disparaging words, “We’re sorry to inform you that your son Marc Alan Lee was killed in action in Iraq.”  Just typing those words now brings me to tears. I would learn in the hours that followed of the heroic actions of my son and that he chose to sacrifice his life so that others could live.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee

Marc was the first Navy SEAL killed in Iraq. As a mother you would love for your child to aspire to many firsts. The first man on the moon, the first doctor to transplant a heart, the first man to fly, but not the first SEAL to give his life defending his buddies in Iraq. Yet I am just as proud of him as I would be for any other first he may have accomplished. I miss him very deeply, but it gives me great comfort knowing he gave his life because he valued others lives as more important than his own. 

Marc was deployed to Ramadi, Iraq in April of 2006. The guys called it, “The worst piece of real estate in Iraq” or “The hellhole of Iraq.”

They had been in the biggest battle in Iraq up to that point. Marc was up on a rooftop with three other SEALs when his buddy, Ryan, sustained severe shrapnel injuries to the head. They could tell by looking at Ryan that it was serious. Unfortunately, they didn’t have a medic on the rooftop with them. Two of the SEAL’s dropped to their knees to help Ryan. Marc could have made that same choice. He could have stayed below the protective barrier of the cement walls on the rooftop and then he probably would be here with me today, but this was a young man who valued other people’s lives as more important than his own. I know that Marc didn’t weigh the pros and cons of his decision. He just knew it was the right thing to do, so Marc stood up into the direct line of fire to draw fire to himself and provide cover so that the medic could get up to the rooftop.

The medic successfully got up to the rooftop, evaluated the situation, and determined that they needed to get Ryan out of there immediately or there was no chance for survival. So not once, but a second time Marc stood up into the direct line of fire so that everyone could get down off of the roof. They all successfully got down from the roof and returned to the base. I’m proud to tell you that that base has been named “Camp Marc Lee” in his honor.

The chief came in and said they had found thirty of the insurgents who had just attacked them. Were they up to going back out? Remember this is August 2, the temperatures are 115-120 degrees. They had just been in an intense two-hour battle. They are hot and sweaty. Marc carried the big gun and with the weapon, ammo and back pack he carried this added anywhere from 150-180 pounds in addition to his weight of 200 pounds. I can’t imagine carrying just my own weight in that intense heat while running and fighting for two hours, let alone 350-380 lbs. They’ve just seen their buddy severely wounded and are not sure if he will survive. They have to be exhausted, emotionally and physically. Yet these are warriors. “The elite of the elite,” as the President told me.

Marc looked at his chief and said, “Roger that. Let’s go get ‘em.” They went back into Ramadi and were doing house to house clearing. They had cleared several houses and went into the last house that Marc would ever be in. They cleared the bottom of the house and started to go upstairs. Marc was not an officer but he was a leader and he chose to lead the guys up the stairs. As they went up the stairs they took fire through a window, and for the last and final time Marc turned into the fire and willingly gave his life. He didn’t just do that to defend his buddies, he did that for you, for me, and for this nation that he so loved.

Marc’s name means “Mighty Warrior” and he definitely lived up to his name. He is a hero! His head stone says “Loved deeply, deeply loved.”

John 15:13: “Greater love has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.”

Hollywood wake up! In case you hadn’t noticed or forgot, we have noble, courageous, brave, and selfless men and women serving heroically in Iraq and Afghanistan. My son Marc Alan Lee was one of those heroes. He was the first Navy SEAL to give his life fighting the war on terror in Iraq. His SEAL task-unit is the most highly decorated special-ops unit since Vietnam.

On Aug 2, 2006, he made the choice in an intense firefight to stand out in the direct line of fire three times to defend his buddies and the freedoms that he so loved and believed in. He did that for you and for every American so that you could continue to live in the “land of the free.” He was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for his selfless and courageous actions that day. He was also posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with valor for his similar courageous actions on July 17-18, 2006. They’ve also named the base where he was in Ramadi ”Camp Marc Lee” in his honor.

I visited Camp Marc Lee in Iraq in December of 2008 when I spent Christmas thanking and honoring our heroes. I was embedded with the 1-4 Cav and went out on patrol several times in the Doura Neighborhood in Baghdad. I saw first hand the professionalism with which our heroes carry out their jobs. I saw their respect for the local Iraqis. I saw pictures of that neighborhood just the year before that resembled a ghost town. No children or people in the streets, no shops open, no cooperation from the locals with the US troops because Al Qaeda would kill them if they saw them talking to the troops.

When I walked on those same streets I couldn’t believe the difference. Children were playing in the streets and on the new playgrounds, 150 shops were open, the locals would come up and thank the troops for the changes they had made and the freedoms they had given them. I saw first hand the successes of our troops.

I am appalled that the mainstream media and Hollywood continue to portray my son and our troops as murderers, liars, and rapists with despicable character. Harry Reid calls them “losers,” John Murtha accuses them of cold blooded murders, Janet Napolitano releases a report calling them “potential terrorists.” Why the hatred towards our brave men and women who have given so much for them and their freedoms? Why do you focus on the bad decisions and action of a very small percentage and make it sound like that is the character of all of our faithful and selfless heroes who willingly serve and give? Why do you dishonor our troops this way?

As a single parent I worked 3 jobs at times and persevered to raise my three little children. I taught them morals, respect, determination and a love for their country and for God. Marc was a hero who valued the lives of others as more important than his own and willingly gave his life fighting for this country. Now Homeland Security has released a report labeling me a “right wing extremist” and my son a “potential terrorist”? We are true-blooded Americans who believe in our Constitution, in God and what this country was founded on and now we are being portrayed as the enemy? What has happened to America?

Where are the films — the success stories of the majority of our troops who heroically sacrifice so that you may live. I am disgusted and deeply hurt that you continue to desecrate and humiliate our men and women who have served and the sacrifices of our heroes like my son, Marc Alan Lee. His last letter home and the stories of how he lived and the sacrifice he made has impacted thousands of lives all over the world. You can read his letter at www.americasmightywarriors.org and get a glimpse of this amazing, mighty warrior.

Hollywood has the ability to influence millions of people and they have our troops to thank for that freedom of speech. The time is NOW to use that influence and show your gratitude.  You owe it to those who sacrificed so that you could live. You owe it to the families who have been deeply hurt by your deception, distortion and lies. Honor our troops and stand behind them and their families by telling the truth and the success stories of our heroes. Get some courage and fortitude and do the right thing.

My son Marc didn’t have to stand up 3 times that day in the direct line of fire. He could have stayed out of sight, protected by the barrier of the wall, but he valued others lives more important than his own. He displayed courage and defended you and I and our freedoms. It’s time you do the same thing and stand up to honor our troops and tell their courageous stories without your spin on it.

He gave his all for this nation, what will you give?

To that very small minority in Hollywood who have stood by our troops, their families and the families of the fallen, THANK YOU! I love and appreciate each one of you. May God continue to bless you!

Debbie Lee
Proud Mother of a Hero!

Dear Family:

Glory is something that some men chase and others find themselves stumbling upon, not expecting it to find them. Either way it is a noble gesture that one finds bestowed upon them. My question is, when does glory fade away and become a wrongful crusade, or an unjustified means which consumes one completely?

I have seen war. I have seen death, the sorrow that encompasses your entire being as a man breathes his last. I can only pray and hope that none of you will ever have to experience some of these things I have seen and felt here. I have felt fear and have felt adrenaline pump through my veins making me seem invincible. I will be honest and say that some of the things I have seen here are unjustified and uncalled for. However, for the most part we are helping this country. It will take more years than most expect, but we will get Iraq to stand on its own feet.

Marc Alan Lee

Most of what I have seen here I will never really mention or speak of, only due to the nature of those involved. I have seen a man give his food to a hungry child and family. Today I saw a hospital that most of us would refuse to receive treatment from. The filth and smell would allow most of us to not be able to stand to enter, let alone get medicine from. However, you will be relieved to know that coalition forces have started to provide security for and supply medicine and equipment to help aid in the cause.

I have seen amazing things happen here; however I have seen the sad part of war, too. I have seen the morals of a man who cares nothing of human life. . . 

I have seen hate towards a nation’s people who has never committed a wrong, except being born of a third world, ill-educated and ignorant to western civilization. It is not everybody who feels this way, only a select few, but it brings questions to mind. Is it ok for one to consider themselves superior to another race?

Surprisingly, we are not a stranger to this sort of attitude. Meaning that in our own country, we discriminate against someone for what nationality they are, their education level, their social status. We distinguish our role models as multi-million-dollar sports heroes or talented actors and actresses who complain about not getting millions of dollars more then they are currently getting paid.

Our country is a great country, don’t get me wrong on this, otherwise none of us would be living there. My point of this is how can we come over here and help a less than fortunate country without holding contempt or hate towards them, if we can’t do it in our country. I try to do my part over here, but the truth is over there, in the United States, I do nothing but take.

Ask yourself, when was the last time you donated clothes that you hadn’t worn out. When was the last time you paid for a random stranger’s cup of coffee, meal or maybe even a tank of gas? When was the last time you helped a person with the groceries into or out of their car? Think to yourself and wonder what it would feel like if when the bill for the meal came and you were told it was already paid for. More random acts of kindness like this would change our country and our reputation as a country.

It is not unknown to most of us that the rest of the world looks at us with doubt towards our humanity and morals. I am not here to preach or to say ‘look at me,’ because I am just as at fault as the next person. I find that being here makes me realize the great country we have and the obligation we have to keep it that way.

The 4th has just come and gone and I received many e-mails thanking me for helping keep America great and free. I take no credit for the career path I have chosen; I can only give it to those of you who are reading this, because each one of you has contributed to me and who I am.

However, what I do over here is only a small percent of what keeps our country great. I think the truth to our greatness is each other. Purity, morals and kindness, passed down to each generation through example.

So to all my family and friends, do me a favor and pass on the kindness, the love, the precious gift of human life to each other so that when your children come into contact with a great conflict like that we are now faced with here in Iraq, that they are people of humanity, of pure motives, of compassion.

This is our real part to keep America free!

HAPPY 4th! Love Ya,
Marc Lee

P.S. Half-way through the deployment — can’t wait to see all of your faces.

Two weeks later, on August 2nd, 2006, Marc Lee was killed in Iraq; the First Navy SEAL to fall in that conflict. He was 28 years old.

For more please visit www.americasmightywarriors.org.