You would not expect to find a Hollywood Casting Director and a Film and Television Make Up Artist sighting down the barrel of an M-16 at an Army Marksmanship Unit in Georgia, but for Pixie Monroe and Kimber Eastwood, participating in the US Army Strong Experience was in their blood. "I think this event will help people to appreciate the men and women serving in all branches of the military," said Eastwood, daughter of legendary Actor/Director Clint Eastwood, and a USO Representative in her own right. "The Army was an important touchstone in my father's life, and I'm proud and honored to be here getting a taste of the training that he went through." Clint Eastwood served in the US Army in the 1950's, developing such camaraderie with his fellow enlisted men that when he decided to move to Los Angeles to act after his stint in the military was over, two of his Army buddies decided to go with him. David Janssen became TV's The Fugitive, Martin Milner became a beat cop on Adam-12, and Eastwood became a legend.
"He's touched so many people," said Pixie Monroe of her father, Edward Petros. "But it all started with the Armed Forces. Without that foundation, we would have had a very different life."
Petros was drafted into the OSS early in WWII. The Lebanese-American moved to the States shortly after the war's end, making good use of the GI Bill. Business deals in real estate in the greater Washington, DC area brought him into contact with Generals, Admirals, Senators and comedians.
Retired Brigadier General and former President of Women in Military Service Association ( WIMSA ), Wilma Vaught refers to Petros as "a true patriot." Petros played a significant role in establishing the Women's Memorial at the base of Arlington National Cemetery.
The late Danny Thomas invited Petros to become a founding member of the St. Jude Children's Medical Research Hospital. Last month, Petros was honored for 50 years of voluntary service to the medical institution. Celebrating with Petros for the Gourmet Gala included General Vaught, and Commander of the US Army Accession Support Brigade, Colonel John Fenzel III. It was at the Gourmet Gala Fenzel extended the invitation to Eastwood and Monroe to attend the Army Strong Excellence event held early April at Ft. Benning, Georgia. "We were so excited to attend," said Eastwood. "We were both truly appreciative." "I think shooting was our favorite part of the weekend," laughed Monroe, "but I'm not so sure everyone else felt the same. If we hit the target at all, we owe it to members of the US Army Marksmanship Unit, especially Staff Sergeant Joshua Olson. He was amazingly patient with both of us, and he's a world class marksman in his own right; he's planning on representing the US for a first time at the 2008 Paralympic Games." The Army Strong Experience also included meeting Olympic Rifle and Gun teams, participating in tandem jumps with the US Army Parachute Team, The Golden Knights and attending the Ranger Graduation. Both women felt it was an honor to be invited and were thrilled to attend. The select group included recording artist Michael Peterson; Assistant Secretary of Defense Paul McHale; Admiral Steve Abbot; a member of the Washington Post; George Hamilton, CEO of Hamilton Aerospace; Producer Michael Waddell; and President BET Event Productions and Executive Vice President BETJ and Digital Networks Paxton Baker, along with other distinguished guests.
"There are many ways to serve your country," said Monroe. "Our fathers instilled the belief in volunteerism and responsibility in each of us, and it's made us who we are." Both Eastwood and Monroe take part in Casting Hope, a non-profit organization that honors and empowers those who take the initiative to change the world and aid others.
Monroe is currently working with Flickerhouse Productions to bring the Who's Tommy to the stage in Los Angeles, as well as collecting research for her passion project, a film about WWII WASP pilots. Eastwood has been a Make Up Artist on several of her father's films, and played a White House Aide in Absolute Power. Now embarking on a career in producing, she is currently the Make Up Artist for Wheel of Fortune, and is preparing for her next tour as a USO Representative.
