In the summer of 2020, my writer’s group, NC Scribes, began discussing putting together a collection of our personal experiences of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. We strived to be published in time for the twentieth anniversary of that fateful day.
September 11, 2001, is one of those “Where were you when you heard?” Seventeen authors labored over true stories, essays, and poems that reflected a wide variety of emotions, insights, and perspectives. We had hopes that this little book would inform subsequent generations of the impact that event had on everyday Americans.
Someone suggested that we donate all online proceeds to a charity. We had no idea what our sales would be or if we’d make any money to donate. However, we chose a local group, Military Missions in Action (MMIA) to be the beneficiary of any profit.
MMIA was started by one dynamic man – Mike Dorman. Retired from the United States Coast Guard after twenty years of service, Mike thought about his fellow veterans injured while serving their country. He was aware of the high number of vets with disabilities who needed to have their homes modified for them to live independently. Putting his thoughts into action, Mike formed Military Missions in Action in January 2008. “I wanted to honor our fallen heroes and support our men and women currently serving in the armed forces,” said Mike. “It doesn’t matter whether they are young or old, rich or poor; it’s our duty and responsibility to support those who sacrificed so much for our freedom.”
In February of 2013, Mike Dorman received the Presidential Citizens Medal from President Barack Obama at the White House in Washington, DC. It was through his work with an army of volunteers for Military Missions in Action that he was nominated.
I met Mike at one of my book signings in 2017. He picked up my book, Guiding Missal, gazed at the tattered American flag on the cover, and turned to me. “Are you free around Veteran’s Day to do an event with me?” I said, “Yes!” That was the first of many annual golf tournaments I did with and for Mike Dorman to benefit MMIA as their biggest fundraiser of the year.
When NC Scribes embarked on the 9/11 anthology, I spoke to Mike about our plans to donate all online proceeds to MMIA. He became our biggest cheerleader and accepted three checks from us before he got sick. Unfortunately, Mike did not live to see the success of our little book.
Mike was taken from us last year in December when he succumbed to Covid-19. He leaves behind a legacy at MMIA with big shoes to fill. In addition to his beautiful family, Mike is mourned and missed by thousands who worked with him and tens of thousands who benefited from his efforts to make their lives better.
On August 27, 2022, at the National Convention of the Military Writers Society of America, the NC Scribes’ book, 9/11 That Beautiful, Broken Day won a silver medal in the anthology category. It was an emotional moment for me to represent NC Scribes in accepting this award, and I knew that Mike Dorman was looking down upon the festivities beaming with pride. He told me that he believed this little book could do big things.
