Laureate Writers Series – July 2018
Tuesday | July 10 | 7pm
Blue Heron Coffeehouse | 162 W 2nd
www.missionofhonor.org
Winona Author Jim Crigler will read from his autobiography, Mission of Honor, at the Laureate Writers Series July event. (Please note that this particular reading will take place on the second Tuesday of the month, not the first.) The reading is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a book signing and open mic. The theme for the open mic is patriotism (vs. nationalism).
Graduating high school in the turbulence of 1968, Jim Crigler’s goal was to be the first in his family to get a college education. A draft notice interrupted that dream. During his four years of service in the Army, Jim served as a Warrant Officer helicopter pilot flying in Vietnam and personally flew thousands of combat missions during his tour of duty. In his raw, bold, introspective book about those experiences, Crigler openly wrestles with his personal moral dilemma to find meaning and purpose in his life. After an honorable discharge in 1974 and with the help of the GI Bill, Jim graduated Magna cum Laude with a BS degree in Business Management from the University of Missouri. For the last 23 years he has been President and CEO of Winona Search Group Inc. a human resources consulting and search firm. He lives in the woods just outside of Winona, Minnesota, with his wife and two youngest daughters.
On Earth Day, April 22, 2017, Jim put his solo canoe in the headwaters of the Mississippi for the start of a 2300 mile journey to raise awareness for Vietnam Gold Star Families and to raise money for a 501c-3 called American Huey 369. By the time he reached New Orleans he had met and personally thanked over 360 Gold Star Family members and helped raise over one million dollars for Huey 369. The river trip is over but Jim’s mission continues.
This event is co-sponsored by the Blue Heron Coffeehouse and the Winona Fine Arts Commission. FFI: Ken McCullough, Winona Poet Laureate, cell 507-450-9688, home 507-452-9482.
The Laureate Writer’s Series is sponsored by the City of Winona’s Fine Arts Commission. The City of Winona is a partner of River Arts Alliance.