Call To Serve is an effort by a group of volunteers, enthusiasts and veterans eager to record the oral histories of Methuen veterans. There are presently 106 interviews "in the can" and they keep on coming. A part of the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, Call To Serve is produced in the studios of Methuen Community Television - MCTV.

Call To Serve loses one of its own - Mike Beshara

From Karen Hayden, Executive Director of MCTV:

We wanted to share some sad news that Mike Beshara, a former MCTV Board member and the first guest on "Call to Serve" has passed away at the age of 87. We know that you don't all know him, but, he was a real believer in Public Access TV. He was part of the group who pushed the city of Methuen to create MCTV in 1996. He was always a friend to us.

When we were training the Call to Serve crew, Mike was there, and he volunteered to tell his US Navy story for the class practice. As everyone who was there can tell you, Mike's story was so enthralling and the production was so solid that we all knew it couldn't be put on a shelf. It also couldn't be recreated because something special happened in that moment. And so it became the first episode of "Call to Serve" back in 2003. Eight years later, the series won a national award. That award and the success of MCTV are a part of Mike Beshara's legacy.

Here is a link to that first interview with Mike Beshara.

MCTV Call To Serve Program wins
ACM National Award

Kathleen Corey Rahme, Call To Serve host Methuen Community Television Joseph 'Buzz' Sawyer - US Navy - Cold War

Congratulations to the Host and Crew of "CALL TO SERVE" for their victory in the NATIONAL HOMETOWN AWARDS. Given by the Alliance for Community Media, these awards recognize excellence in programming that is made and shown in facilities like Methuen Community Television(MCTV) all around our country.

Beginning in spring 2003, "CALL TO SERVE" has been sharing the personal histories of veterans from World War II to the present. The winning episode, featuring local US Navy veteran Joseph "Buzz" Sawyer, won for Best Program for Seniors in the Non-professional catagory. For the veterans who have had the chance to tell their stories on this show, "CALL TO SERVE" has filled an important need in our community to honor those who served and to preserve history that would be otherwise lost.

Please join us to congratulate host Kathleen Corey Rahme, Producers Al Grant and Corinne LaCharite, Director Paul Clover and crew members Leo Roy, Tom & Fran Gradzewicz, Mike Beshara and many others who have worked on the show over the last 8 years.

The Hometown Award will be given out in Tuscon, AZ on July 29. MCTV will replay the winning episode on August 3 & 4, 2011. The Joseph Sawyer interview is on our Facebook Facebook page also.

"CALL TO SERVE" is only the second MCTV Member program to win a national award. "Arts & Crafts: Food for the Soul" produced by Tom Gradzewicz won in 2008. Methuen Now! and SNAFU earned Honorable Mentions in 2007.

Members of the MCTV staff and Call To Serve crew are in Tucson, Arizona today to celebrate and receive the award.
If you are a veteran with a story to tell and would like to be interviewed on Call To Serve, please contact one of the following members and leave a message:
Facebook Check out our Call To Serve Facebook page(s)
Seasonal compilations of clips from our interviews:
Now on our FaceBook page!
The OldPilots & Bold Pilots Series
 
The Call To Serve Forum hosted by ProBoards Free Forums
Other videos & links of interest:
Vets' Health & other issues:

Mesothelioma
&
Veterans
The Mesothelioma Center is committed to providing the latest, up-to-date information to their visitors in the hopes of spreading awareness about the dangers of asbestos cancer. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, there are currently 25 million living individuals who have served in the United States' armed forces. Hundreds of thousands, if not millions of these living veterans were exposed to toxic asbestos-containing materials during military service which could develop into mesothelioma. Asbestos.com offers complete information on malignant mesothelioma lists of occupations, ships, and shipyards that could have put our Veterans at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases. Additionally their Veterans Assistance Department offers extensive experience in filing VA claims and can help any veteran coping with mesothelioma receive benefits from the VA system.
Disabled American VeteransDisabled American Veterans (DAV) is a non-profit organization helps ex-military men and women fight personal battles that has as its purpose a mission to improve the quality of life for thousands of wounded veterans and their families by helping them navigate the US Department of Veterans Affairs system to obtain benefits. DAV also represents the political interests of veterans and provides numerouss outreach and volunteer programs. For more info on the DAV and how you can help, visit the following answers.com DAV link .
Lung Cancer Answers Veterans are even more likely to get lung cancer than the general public because of possible exposure to radon, asbestos and beryllium. This informational site describes the causes and symptoms of lung cancer and the screening techniques that doctors use to diagnose cancer. This page summarizes the different pollutants than can cause lung cancer: Lung Cancer Causes
Check into The Mesothelioma & Asbestos Center, The web's leading mesothelioma and asbestos resource
U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsThe US Department of Veterans Affairs provides patient care and federal benefits to veterans and their dependents. The Va Home Page for the Department of Veterans Affairs provides links to veterans benefits and services, as well as information and resources for other Departmental programs and offices.
Agent Orange
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Questions about Depleted Uranium Weapons? This link will get you more info than you may want.
Women's Issues
The usual crew!
Host: Kathleen Corey Rahme
Co-Producers: Corinne LaCharite & Albert Grant
Crew Members: Mike Beshara, Paul Clover, Joseph Clover, Bruce Wilson,
Tom Gradzewicz, Fran Gradzewicz, Leo Roy, Sandi Seglin
Special Thanks to the Staff of MCTV for their help in making Call To Serve a success!
 Call To Serve is
produced at the
studios of:



Methuen
Community Television
Channel 22 Comcast,
Channel 33 Verizon
Hosted By Mathbox
Web Site by
The Web-Mechanic
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