Exclusive Interview with Video-Making Marine

Posted By Uncle Jimbo

Update: Just in- Another co-worker of SSGT Dean's forwards his My Space page In deference to accuracy and at the request of many of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children, I have added a T to the SSG in SSGT Dean's rank. Ooh rah, Eat the Apple......never mind. Semper Fi.

Most of you saw this video when we posted it earlier this week, and most of you wrote to say how wonderful it was. It contained many heartfelt sentiments about what being an American and an American fighting man means. The artist was unknown, until now. Ladies and Gentlemen I introduce you to SSGT Lawrence E. Dean II. A reader who may claim her kudos in the comments if she wants to, alerted us that SSgt Dean was the artist and he worked with her husband. She sent along B5 contact info and then let me know we needed to coordinate with the Cherry Point PAO and Mr. Mike Barton was very helpful and facilitated a phone interview w/ SSGT Dean. Here is the coolest thing, the piece is titled And She Called, well She is his Grandma and the piece is his explanation to her of why he would go to war. She inspired the video, but the reference in the video itself is about America calling. WOW! It was great to talk with him and I wish him the best in what could be a second career. Semper Fi!

Here is my interview with the Staff Sergeant Download InterviewSSGDean.mp3 FOX is looking for him, ABC is looking for him and the scoop goes to.........Blackfive. Woo Hoo.

And in case you didn't see it this is the video that will give you a chill or two.

UPDATE: Andy Denton who along with his brother Matt posted the video have also been in touch with SSGT Dean and have an alternate version of the piece here

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This, man, is my kind of poetry. Blackfive gets the scoopbut watch the video first. Chills, I tell you. ... [Read More]

Comments

[Teresa]

Congrats on snagging the huge scoop Uncle Jimbo!

Thank you SSG Dean for a most excellent video!!! Now that I know the story behind it - it's all the better.

[Waltler]

AWSOME get, BlackV.

I have to admit, I'm just the tiniest bit disappointed. I'd hoped he wasn't on active duty so he could open the GOP convention next year.

[Stephen]

Fabulous interview. Congrats. I didn't realize you initiated the spread of SSG Dean's magnificent video. If they ever see it, the video might shame the castrati in Congress into showing some guts.

[Devil Dog Dad]

Listened to the interview, good job Uncle Jimbo. SSG Dean is a great Marine but I'm being redundant.

[Old Tanker]

Out. Freaking. Standing scoop for B-5

Good on ya SSG Dean

SEMPER FI!!

[sanddog]

OH-Rah!

Loved the sentiments, SSG Dean.

[MsUnderestimated]

Uncle J, you ROCK! Great get there. YOu and SSgt. Dean BOTH rule.

[bthun]

Thanks to you SSG Dean! And to all of you warriors past and present.

Awesome indeed.

[Cincinnati_Bob]

Thank you SSG Dean. I wouldn't change a word. It's beautiful, pure, and I could listen to this everyday between now and forever and never be able to get through it without a baseball showing up in my throat.

All the best to you and yours.

[thebronze]

Both the first and the second videos were awesome, but what's up w/ the ghetto act?

Work on that SSgt. Dean.

Semper Fi!

[Marieanne]

Blackfive with the scoop! Yeah!

Great interview. OOH-rah!

[baldilocks]

Both the first and the second videos were awesome, but what's up w/ the ghetto act?

What "ghetto act?" If you're referring to SSgt Dean's civilian dress and demeanor, it is as American as apple pie.

[Rich Casebolt]

SSgt Dean ... if I could do with the written word, what you do with the spoken word ... !

Bravo Zulu ... Carry on, Marine!

[arrowhead]

Great interview!

SSgt Dean, you are awesome! "She Called" brought back the feelings and scenes that I remember from 9/11 when we were united as a nation against the evil that attacked us. What you said, what you wrote is pure poetry. Thank you!

[JihadGene]

Way to go SSGT Dean & B5 on the scoop!

Speakin of scoop, that rhymes with poop........that's you "bronze baby"! You are just another brown-trout in the sewage treatment blog-o-sphere reservoir. .

[mindy1]

How cool that you found him-he has a career as a rapper ahead of him if he wants.

[Pinkpolitics]

Brilliant!

Both the first and the second videos were awesome, but what's up w/ the ghetto act?

I am not sure of what you’re referring to as being ghetto? This is actually a form of poetry; would you rather have him recite his profound verses to polka music? Or maybe you use the word ghetto because he was not able to make a real music video considering he is off fighting a war for the people of this country? I’ve provided the definition of the word ghetto to prevent incorrect use of the word. Im just going to assume that your were confused because there could be no other explanation.

Ghetto
A usually poor section of a city inhabited primarily by people of the same race, religion, or social background, often because of discrimination.

[socialism_is_error]

...at least, no other complimentary explanation.

SSG Dean is the finest - a proud American.

[Mommynator]

I finally had a chance to view the video a couple of days ago and I had tears in my eyes. He expressed so much so well and touched this heart of mine.

Long may he live.

[thebronze]

JihdaGene, EABOD.

I wasn't referring to what he said or how he said it in his "spoken word" riff. I was talking about how he spoke before he started doing his riff and obviously how he dressed, as being ghetto (pinkpolitics can play semantics with the word ghetto all he/she wants). He's articulate when he does his performance and during his interview w/ UJ.

Obviously he he has two persona's, one for when he's in uniform (professional Marine) and one for being off-duty (ghetto-rapper). But I guess all the "fans" like that sort of thing.

My problem isn't with the message but with the way it's packaged. People have enough ghetto-rapper role-models, it would've been nice to see SSgt. Dean rise above something more than the default.

[adidas1_77]

{Obviously he he has two persona's, one for when he's in uniform (professional Marine) and one for being off-duty (ghetto-rapper).}

I work in the office with SSgt Dean and have off and on for the past 11 years. He is a GREAT Marine and a friend. He is one of the top 2 Staff NCOs I look up to in my career as a Marine. I want to clear it up for all of you right now...IT IS NOT A RAP. It is a poem and he has many that are awesome. Some are about the way he grew up (in the ghetto) and about the realities of life as he sees them. That's what poetry is about. That's why his friends nicknamed him "Life" as his poet name. He does in fact have a few songs and beats out there and some of his poems are set to music, but I have never yet heard him refer to himself as a rapper and I wouldn't refer to him as one either. Although if he hits it famous as a rapper and gets the break he richly deserves that way I am sure not going to begrudge him for it. You may perceive his dress as "ghetto" fashion but he's not trying to dress like a thug, he's just being himself. He is one of the realest people I know and he cares more about others that anyone I can name in a pinch. I tell you as a close working friend of his that he is real on and off duty. He goes out of his way to be a positive role-model for people and takes the careers of his Marines personally. He pays his friends and families light bills for them when they get cut off, he lets friends move in with him when they are in need, he even helps out in his high school's JROTC program every year where he himself won many trophies. What you think you see on the 'net is no reason to make a character call on him because you don't approve of his civilian attire. Oohrah!

[Uncle Jimbo]

Thanks for checking in Adidas,

I never saw an issue with what he has portrayed. The message of his poetry comes through and it's easy to see why his friends call him Life.

Heck people give me shit about what I wear.

Cordially,

Uncle J

[M. Simon]

I posted the video last Sunday.

Outstanding scoop.

Outstanding video.

Outstanding Marine.

from an old Navy guy. Semper Fi.

[Teresa]

"IT IS NOT A RAP. It is a poem..."

I've been using the scan button on my radio a lot lately and have been hitting NPR stations where poets seem to get some airtime and recite their stuff. I move on as quickly as possible. I'm not a judge of poetry (so I'll hold off on making any critique of the poetry itself) but the presentation readings are the most boring radio you'll ever hear. The attempt to be quietly profound is stupifying.

I must say that SSGT Dean's presentation leaves them all in the dust. No, it's not Rap. He is giving us his poetry with everything he's got. The message and the presentation - outstanding.

[jkmack]

TheBronze, re: "whats up with the ghetto act"

The cadence and style of the rap is to get him mentally into the flow of the words.

Personnally it was more reminescent of the cadence and style of preachers when they "get in the zone".

If you have never seen a baptist preacher start riffing the gospel, you have missed an intense experience quiet similar to "And She Called".

[zzbruno]

now fox is claiming they have "ID'd" the Marine with a FOX News Exclusive.

TWO DAYS LATER THAN BLACKFIVE.

That is some weak $hit fox....weak.

[jordan]

This is performance art at it's fines, by one of America's best and brightest. Like Teresa, I've been horrified by NPR's strained, artsy-fartsy poetry readings. This comes from the gut, and can't be "acted". To me it's totally without guile, without artifice, and without "styling" or "packaging." More please, SSGT. Dean.

[Miss Ladybug]

zzbruno~

I just read the Fox article. I didn't see that they called it an "exclusive", but I noted that no credit was given to Blackfive for "solving the mystery" first. They just say "The mystery Marine who touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands with his YouTube patriotic poem has come forward."...