HOPE
UNSEEN: The Story of the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty
Officer
by Captain Scotty
Smiley with Doug Crandall
Howard Books, a
division of Simon & Schuster: September 14, 2010: hardcover,
$24.99
About the
Authors
Captain Scotty Smiley is the
Army's only active-duty blind officer. He lost the use of both eyes
when a car bomber blew himself up in front of Scotty's vehicle. A
recipient of the Bronze Star and Purple Heart, he currently
commands the Warrior Transition Unit at West Point's Keller Army
Medical Center. He and his wife Tiffany are the proud parents of
two young children.
Doug Crandall
served in the Army for thirteen years, including the last five at
West Point where he was an award-winning leadership teacher and
later the Executive Officer to the Dean. Doug now lives in
Richland, Washington with his wife Stephanie and their
children.
Just this past May, Scotty was
awarded the prestigious McArthur Leadership Award presented to him
in a ceremony at the Pentagon. The MacArthur Award, which is a
15-pound bronze bust of the general, is given annually to 28
company-grade officers who represent the ideals for which General
MacArthur stood: Duty, Honor, Country. The soldiers selected for
this award have displayed a true commitment to Army values;
unequaled technical and tactical competence; and a mature
understanding of their leaders, subordinates, peers.
Scotty and his wife, Tiffany, are
both from Pasco and are the proud parents of two small boys - Grady
and Graham.
What is HOPE
UNSEEN?
A visit from an Army buddy a little
over a year ago led to another achievement in Scotty Smiley's life.
Doug Crandall, who used to teach leadership classes at the U.S.
Military Academy at West Point met Scotty when the young soldier
served as a guest speaker. Doug dropped by the Smiley's Pasco home
during Christmas in 2008. The friends sat around Smiley's parents'
house joking and telling stories.
Crandall was so intrigued and
entertained by Scotty's adventures that he suggested the Pasco
native write a book. Scotty told stories, and Doug became a writer.
Together they are now authors of HOPE UNSEEN: The Story of
the U.S. Army's First Blind Active-Duty Officer which
chronicles Scotty's deployment to Iraq, his life-changing suicide
bomb attack injury and his inspiring recovery.
The
Event- HOPE UNSEEN Book
Launch
On Saturday, September
18th, the official launch of their book will be at the
Toyota Center with an evening of music, tributes, celebration and
sharing. This event has several goals.
First and foremost, to create a
God-filled evening that inspires, provides hope, and brings some to
Christ - an after-shock that is felt throughout the community.
Secondly, it is a launch point for the book Hope
Unseen that begins to spread Scotty's story of
sacrifice, determination, faith and triumph. His book will be
available for purchase at the event. Thirdly, it is a fundraiser
for Young Life and Habitat for Humanity - all profits will go to
them.
Scotty Smiley has a very powerful
story and believes that his faith has enabled him to overcome
enormous obstacles and achieve things many sighted people only
dream of. He wants to share his story as a testament to others that
no matter what lot you draw, you - through faith in Christ can live
the true life you were meant to.
The celebration will consist of
videos and presentations by Scotty Smiley and his wife, Tiffany,
Franklin Graham and his son, Edward. Major Jeff Van Antwerp and Lt.
General Robert Van Antwerp (Chief, Army Corps of Engineers). Music
will be headlined by Phillips, Craig and Dean - a contemporary
Christian music trio. Jonah Werner (mix of slam, jam, blues folk,
rock, acoustic) and Lisa Pratt (the military version of American
Idol) will also be performing.
TICKET DETAILS
Saturday,
September 18, 2010 @ 6:30 pm
Toyota
Center
Kennewick, WA
Prices are: $15. Groups of 10 or
more are $12. Children (12 and under) are $10.
To purchase: www.ticketmaster.com
or www.yourtoyotacenter.com.
You may also contact Doug Crandall or Robin Craven.