Paul Reed(X)
- Producer
Born in 1948 in Dallas, Texas, Paul Reed joined the U.S. army in 1966 and served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, then in early 1968 with the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam. Having attained the rank of sergeant he was discharged in 1969. He became a contributing author to a book entitled, Vietnam: Our Story, One on One - a compilation of war stories from the Vietnam War compiled by Gary Gullickson. He began working on a new book with the working title of, "When Flowers Again Bloom in the Killing fields." The book, unlike his first experience at writing was to be a story not of war but of healing. About halfway through the book, Paul had the opportunity to assist Steven M. Smith of Seattle with the production of two ITVS (Independent Television Service) 57 minute TV documentaries known as Kontum Diary and Kontum Diary: The Journey Home. The documentary productions were an invaluable aid in finishing the book. Smith's first Kontum Diary production began broadcasting in 1995 and garnered several awards including an Emmy. In 1997 the sequel or follow-up broadcast of the ITVS forgiveness story became known as Kontum Diary: The Journey Home. Both human-interest ITVS versions were broadcast in many Public Broadcasting Stations (PBS) markets. Internationally, Kontum Diary was purchased for limited broadcast by NHK TV of Japan. Later, WorldLinkTV, an American cable TV network, reported that The Journey Home had become one of their most requested films. Also in 1997, Paul co-authored and finished his book with Ted Schwartz. The working title was chanted to, "Kontum Diary: Captured Writings Bring Peace to a Vietnam Veteran." It was published in 1997 by Summit Publishing Group, with a foreword by General William C. Westmoreland and a prologue by Captain Gerald L. Coffee. In 2000 and again in 2001, CBS 48 Hours, hosted by Peter Van Zant and Dan Rather, broadcast their 16-minute version of the forgiveness story in a program called, "The Fight to Forgive." Paul Reed's army honors include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal, and, among others, the Combat Infantryman's Badge. From 2005 until 2007 Paul served as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Chapter 542 of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, USA. For his service to the MOPH, he received the "Patriot of the Year" award in 2007, 2008 and again 2009. In 2010 to present day he has served the chapter in the capacity of adjutant. His most cherished civilian tributes are the "Hero of Forgiveness" award from the Worldwide Forgiveness Alliance headquartered in San Francisco and "The Legion of Honor Award" from the Chapel of Four Chaplains based in Philadelphia in recognition of his service to all people without regard to nationality or faith. He met in 2005 and they married in 2007.