 Robert “BJ” JacksonIn October of 1999, B.J. Jackson of Des Moines, Iowa, enlisted in the National Guard and shortly thereafter underwent Basic Training at Fort Benning, Georgia and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia where he learned skills as a supply and small arms specialist. After National Guard training, Jackson returned to Iowa where he worked various roofing, home improvement and landscaping jobs until his Guard Unit received orders foractive duty in February of 2003. In April, after leaving Iowa and spending a month in Wisconsin for additional training, Jackson’s unit headed to Kuwait to await orders for deployment in Iraq. B.J. was selected to be part of a team whose mission was to set up camp and headquarters for the entire unit’s arrival in Iraq. His unit was positioned just outside of Baghdad. For the four months, Jackson worked with his unit performing various Military Police duties and engaging in convoy support around Baghdad. On August 7th, B.J. was enjoying his first day off from duty in nearly a month and was visiting the commercial district of Baghdad. He was driving a vehicle with two other soldiers riding with him. The vehicle struck a land mine, and then the 5 soldiers were besieged by Iraqis firing AK-47’s and rocket propelled grenades. Several hours lapsed as solders fought off the terrorist attack and worked to extract B.J. from his vehicle and transport him to safety. B.J. was airlifted to an Iraqi field hospital for immediate care and was then taken to Kuwait and on to Germany for additional treatment. Five days later, he arrived at the Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio, Texas to begin long-term recovery and re-habilitation. Jackson lost both legs below the knee and suffered burns to over 6 percent of his body on his hand, arm, head and lower back. Over the first five days, Jackson received 25 units of blood. He spent nearly 50 days in the post burn unit. Just over three months later, Jackson had recovered enough to begin the process of learning to use his prosthetic legs. Remarkably, by early December, he was skiing on his new legs at a resort in Breckenridge, Colorado. He remains optimistic and urges others to push themselves not to be limited by others. B.J. lives in Iowa with his wife, Abagail, their two daughters, Brilynn and Hailey, and their three sons, Conner, Nolan and Parker. Watch B.J.'s interview on
Speaking Engagements: BJ’s Most Requested Keynotes:
|
 Dick Hardwick, comedianIn this day and age of "blue" humor, Dick Hardwick proves there is great demand for a comedian who doesn't litter his act with four-letter words.After turning 18 "legal" years old, Dick Hardwick soon embarked upon a long-awaited journey to New Orleans to have his first look at Mardi Gras. He had taken three of his hometown friends along on the trip and they all discovered a sound called Dixieland-- something that was brand-new to their ears. It was on this trip that they heard the legendary Pete Fountain for the very first time. This sound was absolutely intoxicating to Hardwick. It was entertaining! And it gave him a deep desire for wanting to "beat his drums"... so to speak... performing this exciting, new, sassy, having played in bands since age 11. So he and his crew returned to Indiana and promptly landed a job at the local Legion's Club. This marked the true birth of Hardwick's career as a comedian, although he was totally unaware of any milestone at the time-- because to him it was just "horsing around" in-between songs! A quick study in many musical instruments gave Hardwick an obvious edge, but he also had something else, maybe even more important. He ENJOYED it. In fact, he LOVED it. And to this day, Dick Hardwick can cut straight through to the heart of any crowd... anywhere... because it still makes him happy to see folks having a good time. He later moved over to the Robert E. Lee in St. Louis and formed a ragtime trio. He performed shows everywhere from Lake Tahoe to Las Vegas, from the Carolinas to California; and he landed a job playing drums with Jerry Van Dyke. But it wasn't until Disneyland hired him that his future as a comedian started to take shape. It was a 10-year "boot camp" of sorts for the fledgling funnyman. He learned how to work an audience... to bond with them... and he worked show after show. In fact, Hardwick worked 8 of the 10 years as a comedic star at Disney's Golden Horseshoe Revue -- eventually finding himself in the Guinness Book of World Records under the "longest run" for a live theatrical presentation. When the Revue finally ended it had been seen by more than 16 million people. In turn, the Revue also helped pave the way to his tremendous popularity in today's corporate America. "Disney always attracted a lot of corporate people," Hardwick explains. "After they watched my act, and saw firsthand that I didn't use any 'blue' humor, I would get instant offers to entertain at their company's functions." They still book him. They still come back for more. And the reason is still the same. "Because I can do my entire routine without using one 4-letter word," Hardwick insists. It's a huge part of why this zany comedian is in constant demand for conventions and meetings. Hardwick, who makes his home in Hollywood, has taken his humor to such impressive venues as The Las Vegas Hilton, Silver Legacy, and Caesars Palace to name a few. And over the years, he has worked hundreds of dates for many national names such as AT&T Wireless, State Farm and McDonalds and more. He has entertained TV audiences on several well-known shows and he has walked away as a Comedy Champion on Ed McMahon's "Star Search". Laughing is his business. Laughing is his life...  |
 ...for more information or to BOOK either of these speakers please contact: Steve Tolman: |
