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MRE members and friends pay tribute to Jim Crawley
MRE extends deadline for Best of 2007 Contest
A gentleman of the press in Iraq warThis story appeared in the Antelope Valley Press
Sunday, April 27, 2008.
By DENNIS ANDERSON Sometimes you know a friend by the touch of their hand on your shoulder. "You letting this character register?" Jim Crawley asked the desk clerk, grinning. He meant me. "I guess they let anybody in here." That's a shaggy dog newsman's greeting and it preceded the newsman's remedy, heading to the nearest watering hole for a beer. We were registered at a Marriott in Evansville, Ill., and we were a few hours away from meeting with then-Lt. Gen. David Petraeus that evening at Northwestern University. Crawley, along with San Antonio Express-News newsman Sig Christenson , co-founded the Military Reporters and Editors, emerging from Operation Iraqi Freedom and the new debate about how to map relations for fair play between media and the military. The average age of a first lieutenant is probably about 25 years old. Of a captain, maybe 29, and of a major, about 34. By the time you hit the field grade of lieutenant colonel, likely you are at the threshold of 40. When Crawley went to war during the invasion phase of the Iraq war, he was around 46, and expected to keep up with Marine grunts of whom he was old enough to be father. He was funny, cheerful and portly with a middle-age spread that wasn't receding, in spite of all that hydration, desert heat, sleepless nights and nonstop adrenaline surge. Crawley got packed into the back of a USMC Light Armor Reconnaissance scout vehicle like so much extra baggage - which he was. At the age most officers are operating from a command level, Crawley was covering the war as Ernie Pyle described it "from the worm's eye view" of the grunt's world. I guess what I'm sharing is that it takes tremendous stamina and intestinal fortitude and high confidence to go to war when you are trained for it, when you muddle through boot camp, when you are a practitioner of the profession of arms. It's more of a stretch when you are a creature of suburban America. Former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld was the unlikely architect of the embedding process. It grew from a "news blackout" that afflicted the Army's telling of its own story during Desert Storm. Joseph Galloway, the dean of American military correspondents who writes a column for this newspaper, was among the cohort of reporters bottled up in places like Riyadh in Saudi Arabia when the Army was busy demolishing the Iraqi Republican Guard in the desert near the Euphrates River. In other words few Americans - or anyone for that matter - got to see what Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf's "Hail Mary Pass" actually looked like in execution. Why? Because Department of Defense, the Pentagon, wanted the news channeled and controlled. So, no one was there to witness the victory of arms while it was being fought. So, Rumsfeld, rare and faint in friendship toward media, became architect of "embedding." Journalists, as in all other wars, would camp out with line units. When the Iraq war launched in 2003, for good or ill, whatever the politics and debate, somewhere around 1,000 journalists, American and foreign, were linked up with parts of the story as the invasion unfolded. Crawley and Christenson were among those covering from the front, along with David Bloom of NBC who died while engineering real-time coverage from his "Bloomobile" television-equipped M-88 tank retriever. Crawley, covering for the San Diego Union-Tribune, went with the Marines, and his buddy Christenson went with the 3rd Infantry Division, Army, "Rock of the Marne." Crawley died last week at the age of 51 from a fast-moving brain cancer. On Jan. 5 in Washington D.C. at the National Press Club, the portly guy who rode hell on wheels with the Marines was finishing out a business meeting. The surprise for a man who was surely dying was a small party from all of his MRE and other press buddies, plus an Army pal, good and true, retired Lt. Col. Michael Birmingham, who ran his press relations gig fair and on the level. It was the usual gathering of old friends and new, people who had worked one big story or another, elections, terrorist acts, natural disasters, and the biggest disaster, war. "I can't believe he's gone," his friend, Sig Christenson, said. "That man did so much for so many other reporters. He was a master of technology and equipment, and he always shared all his knowledge. "It was this giant 'Lawrence of Arabia' overwhelming adventure, but without communication in the desert, you were done for. Jim cooked up stuff that saved lives and kept the story flowing." There he was, bald from cancer treatments, smiling gently, utterly surprised that friends hailed from all times zones and a war theater to have some cake and champagne. "I'm really touched," Jim Crawley said. "Mostly, I'm very tired." He faced cancer the way he did war. With cheerfulness, crankiness, a sense of mild outrage, a series of running jokes and stories, and the simplest word for it is courage. Our fighting troops lose friends, too early, and too often. For a combat zone buddy like his friend, Sig Christenson, the loss is like losing a comrade in arms, a brother, simply devastating. In November 2006 with MRE at the Medill School for Journalism, Petraeus laid out plans for reducing violence and increasing security for Iraqis and Americans caught in the reptilian coils of a seething insurgency courting civil war. Sig and Jim, all the MREs, we hoisted our beers in salute to the dead and wounded, and hopes for better times. A little over a year later, we gathered at National Press Club to toast Jim and celebrate a life. After the party, we did what newsies do. As we were shuffled out of the Press Club we crossed the street to the pub for a beer. Jim was torn whether to head home on the subway to his beloved wife of 20 years, Melba, or have that beer. He chose the beer and collapsed, telling a funny story about the emergency room in Baghad. A group of us rushed after the ambulance to the emergency room. Hit by all the shocks flesh is heir to, Jim still counted it a pretty good day. Gone now forever like his hero Ernie Pyle, he operated with the same kind of class. As Pyle's buddies from World War II said of him, Jim Crawley was "a good guy" and he maintained his trust to inform the public. More Tributes to Jim Crawley: Editor & Publisher made note of Jim's passing with a story about his work with MRE and as a military affairs reporter. It can be seen here: Joe Strupp, a senior editor at Editor & Publisher magazine, has penned this wonderful tribute to Jim, capturing his courage in the face of very daunting obstacles and his leadership of MRE through some difficult times. It can be read here: Media General's tribute to Jim Crawley: http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/26/na-ex-media-general-military-reporter-dies-from-ca/ Jim Crawley, MRE president and founding member, diesJim Crawley, the president and a founding member of Military Reporters & Editors, died Tuesday after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Jim's wife, Melba, reported he died peacefully in his sleep. "He was the most wonderful man in the world," she said. "I could never have asked for a better husband." Jim was our friend, our colleague, and the driving force behind MRE the last few years. When we needed something done, Jim was always there to step in and get it done despite the demands of his job as a national correspondent in Media General newspapers' Washington bureau. He will be greatly missed by those of us who knew him and worked with him, by the military community about which he wrote, and by the public that depended on him for his honest and unbiased reporting. MRE will have its own memorial service for Jim, most likely in conjunction with the conference in the fall. MRE Extends Deadline for Best of 2007 ContestBest of 2007 Contest Entries Extended to May 15The deadline for entries for the best print, photography, video, and on-line reporting on military affairs, homeland security, national defense, and veterans' issues has been extended until May 15.The contest covers work done in the calendar year 2007. Entry forms are available for download by clicking here. Current members of MRE will receive one free entry. Additional entries will be $25 each. The non-member fee for one entry is $75, which includes a one-year membership to MRE. Additional entries are $25 each. We are especially encouraging photographers, videographers, and on-line correspondents to participate in this year's contest. Winners will be announced in September and awards presented at the MRE annual conference Nov. 14 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.. For additional information, contact MRE executive assistant Salome Angrand, at MRE headquarters, Medill School of Journalism, 1325 G St. NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC 20005. Phone: (202) 661-0141. Sanchez: U.S. "Living a Nightmare"MRE confab invades Washington
Military Reporters & Editors WASHINGTON - Retired Army Lt. Gen. Ricardo Sanchez, who led U.S. ground troops in the first critical year of Iraq's occupation, accused politicians of putting their own personal ambitions ahead of the needs of their troops, and predicted that the "nightmare" of a war without end looms unless leaders here make a dramatic U-turn. "A Japanese proverb says, 'Action without vision is a nightmare. There is no question that America is living a nightmare with no end in sight," Sanchez, 56, of San Antonio, said Friday at the 6th annual Military Reporters & Editors conference. "Since 2003, the politics of war have been characterized by partisanship as the Republican and Democratic parties struggled for power in Washington. Efforts to date have been corrupted by partisan politics that have prevented us from devising effective, executable, supportable solutions." Combative and sometimes angry, Sanchez lambasted the media as well as national leaders for compounding a series of mistakes that began well before the March 19, 2003 invasion, saying U.S. leaders suffered from "an absolute lack of moral courage" to anticipate the myriad outcomes of America's rule in Baghdad. He did not identify President Bush or any other leader as being responsible for the blunders that sparked the Iraqi insurgency and failed efforts since then to stabilize the country. But Sanchez, who became a controversial figure after the Abu Ghraib scandal and ultimately was forced to retire as a result of it, said some reporters he'd never met described him as "dictatorial and somewhat dense," "does not get it" and "the most inexperienced lieutenant general." "This is the worst display of journalism imaginable by those of us that are bound by a strict value system of selfless service, honor and integrity," he said. "Almost invariably, my perception is that the sensationalistic value of these assessments is what provided the edge that you seek for self-aggrandizement or to advance your individual question for getting on the front page with your stories."
"The unmistakable message was that political power had greater priority than our national security objectives," Sanchez said. "Overcoming this strategic failure is the first step toward achieving victory in Iraq. Without bipartisan cooperation we are doomed to fail. There is nothing going on today in Washington that would give us hope." Just the third Hispanic to rise to three-star general in the Army when he replaced Lt. Gen. William Wallace on June 15, 2003, Sanchez has talked of a "failure of leadership" in previous speeches and conversations with journalists. He has yet to address his role in the Abu Ghraib scandal or directly blame the administration for bad decisions and missed opportunities in the run-up to the war and the occupation. Sanchez said he did not realize how bad things were in Iraq until the day he took command. He is the highest-ranking former military leader yet to suggest the Bush administration has fallen short in Iraq. Retired Army Maj. Gen. John Batiste, who led the 1st Infantry Division in Iraq, appeared in a TV spot accusing the president of pursuing "a failed strategy that is breaking our great Army." Despite his criticism, Sanchez said the United States has no choice but to remain in Iraq, even though it is likely that American troops will be in the country another decade at least. He said it is imperative that politicians form a consensus to develop a cohesive political, economic and military strategy for winning in Iraq. Leaders in Washington, including those in Congress, "have been derelict in their duty," Sanchez said, also telling the crowd, "We continue our inept coalition management efforts and, in fact, we are facing ever-decreasing troop commitments by our military coalition partners." Terrorists and insurgents in the region "are arguably more dangerous than any threat we faced in the 20th century," he said, but also made it clear that there is yet another enemy every bit as fatal - those on both sides of the aisle in Washington. "America must demand a unified national strategy that goes well beyond partisan politics and places the common good above all else," Sanchez said. "Too often our politicians have chosen loyalty to their political party above loyalty to the Constitution because of their lust for power." Sig Christenson is a board member, co-founder and former president of Military Reporters & Editors. He can be reached at saddamscribe@yahoo.com. ESPN.com Wins 2007 Galloway AwardThe investigation by ESPN.com into the death of Army Ranger and former NFL star Spc. Pat Tillman took the top prize in this year's journalism competition held by Military Reporters and Editors."These journalism awards honor not only the winners but all the men and women who cover war, aboard and at home," said MRE President James W. Crawley. "Without their courage and perseverance, the public would be ill informed." "Everyday, journalists in Iraq, Afghanistan, the United States and elsewhere report about the soldiers, sailors, Marines and airmen serving in the U.S. military. Often, these reporters and photographers endure the same hardships and dangers of combat troops. Sometimes, unfortunately, they also make the same ultimate sacrifices of those in uniform," Crawley added. "An Un-American Tragedy," reported and written by ESPN.com senior writer Mike Fish, will be honored Oct. 12 at the MRE national convention in Arlington, Va. Fish will receive the Joseph Galloway Award for Distinguished Journalism and a $2,000 check from MRE. The multimedia presentation also won the online category. This was the first year that MRE included online and television works in its annual competition. Other categories included print and photojournalism. Judges said Fish "presented a riveting account of the cover-up of Pat Tillman's death by friendly fire." Posted on the ESPN.com website as a series July 19-21, 2006, the material became the foundation for a television program, called "Tillman's Final Mission," aired on the ESPN cable network. The TV program won for best television story in the television category. This year's competition was judged by faculty members at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Other winners, by category, are:
PRINT
Overseas coverage -- small newspaper/magazine:
Domestic coverage -- large newspaper/magazine:
Domestic coverage -- small newspaper/magazine:
TELEVISION
Small market:
ONLINE
PHOTOGRAPHY The winners and honorable mention recipients will be honored Oct. 12 during the organization's keynote luncheon. Military Reporters and Editors is the professional organization for journalists who cover the military, national security, veterans' affairs and homeland security. It's professional members include newspaper, television, radio and online journalists, photographers and videographers. Students, academicians, retired journalists and public affairs professionals serve as non-voting members. Formed in 2002, the group serves as an advocate for openness by the Defense Department, a resource for journalists covering war and other conflicts and an educational forum for the media, military and public. The organization will hold its annual conference Oct. 11-13, 2007, in the Washington area at the Doubletree Crystal City in Arlington, Va.
Forget the mail -- MRE applications, dues now onlineMilitary Reporters and Editors proudly announced Jan. 9, 2007, its new convenient online application and dues payment system.Prospective members and current members can now conduct the entire application process and dues payments online without faxing or mailing application forms, checks or cash. This new service, created by Brian Murphy, our web producer from SignOnSanDiego.com, which hosts the MRE website, brings added convenience to our members and increased information to MRE officials, which will boost member services in the future. In addition to collecting name, address and affiliation information, the new online application form allows prospective and current members to describe their military coverage experiences, journalism skills and offers the opportunity to volunteer their services to assist MRE. Because information from the application is now more easily stored, MRE will have better awareness of membership status, renewal dates and dues payments. In turn, this will help MRE better serve the entire membership. Of course, MRE has a policy of not releasing any membership information without prior approval of members. MRE President James W. Crawley urged every member to use the form for renewal and to tell potential members about the new membership option. The new application form can be reached via www.militaryreporters.org. Click on "Membership Application" in the left-hand navigation bar. Of course, if someone wants to use the old-fashioned stamped envelope or fax machine, that option is still available.
President's Report -- August 10, 2007
By James W. Crawley First of all, an apology. Last November, in my first president's report, I told MRE members I would be writing a monthly report about MRE and media issues of importance to members. I've been derelict in those duties and this is only my second report. But, I have a good reason. The dog ate my report ... sorry, that was a flashback to third grade! Actually, I was diagnosed with kidney cancer and had surgery March 30. So far, the doctors say the surgery was successful and there were no signs the cancer had spread. I guess that puts me in the survivor category. I've recuperated, am back at work and up to nearly full speed. So, it's back to the president's reports. And, I hope they will be more frequent. Here is the situation, folks. MRE needs you. The organization has a group of talented, dedicated hard-working journalists serving as officers and board members. In recent months, the officers and directors have been working on the October conference to make sure it's the best in MRE history. You'll find more details on the MRE home page. But, MRE needs some more help. Every day, we need people to help update the website, increase our membership and mentor journalists new to the military beat. I can't just pick one member here, another there and so forth like some drill sergeant, so I'm asking for volunteers. Here are the tasks MRE needs volunteers:
WEBSITE
MRE Update Editor
OFFICERS & DIRECTORS Becoming an officer or director requires a member (only professional members are eligible) to help run the organization. It takes responsibility, some work and a lot of pride in the role journalists serve in covering the military, veterans and national security. And, so far, it's less scary than incoming fire. While nominations are accepted during the business meeting on Saturday, Oct. 13, interested members are encouraged to email nominations, for themselves or others, to Carl Prine, national secretary, cprine@tribweb.com, and Salome Angrand, our executive assistant, s-angrand@northwestern.edu. We'll post all nominations on the website for members to see before the conference. But, remember only conference attendees can vote. |
