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 For Immediate Release: April 11, 2011
Denver, Colorado - Officials from Orion Multimedia, the world leader in outdoor Adventure programming, announced today that Tim Abell, host of Grateful Nation, will drive a portion of the Crossing of America, a cross-country trek to pay tribute, create awareness and raise funds for wounded warriors, fallen heroes and their families. Joining him along the way will be Army Ranger SFC Michael Schlitz, a wounded warrior who lost both hands, had facial reconstruction and had third degree burns on 85% of his body after being hit by an improvised explosive device in Iraq. In addition, Abell, a former Army Ranger himself, is helping boost awareness for the effort through speaking engagements and public service announcements.
"I feel honored to take part in The Crossing of America to raise awareness and help those that have served our country so bravely and the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice," Abell said. "I'm so proud of what our troops are doing. This is the spirit of America - it's what this country is about."
Starting from the U.S.S. Midway in San Diego at the start of the Memorial Day holiday weekend, the Crossing of America will feature two Spirit of Liberty jeeps wrapped in American flag artwork working their way across the country. Along with Abell and Harrison Ford, various high-profile celebrities, sports figures, government officials, veterans, POWs, Medal of Honor recipients, and family members of fallen heroes will drive different legs of the 12,700-mile journey through 43 states. The trek will end on September 8 at the U.S.S. Intrepid in New York harbor with a closing ceremony on the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the country.
"I am so glad that I am in a position to help our military veterans," continued Abell, who is also a board member for Gallant Few, a non-profit nationwide Veteran mentor network that helps returning heroes transition successfully from military service to civilian life. "That is the same motivation that drives my participation in Grateful Nation."
The new season of Grateful Nation, sponsored by Federal Premium Ammunition, Beretta USA, and Ram, will air on The Outdoor Channel beginning this July. Feature shows will include a trip through France and revisiting the battle of Normandy with Ranger Joe Lynch. In another episode, a young Marine and an Army Reservist who were both wounded in service in Iraq travel with Abell to South Africa in a hunt for plains game. The hunts in France and South Africa were donated to the show by individuals through Safari Club International, as was a hunt in Namibia that will be filmed later this year for the next season of Grateful Nation.
Abell's substantial acting credits were launched by his portrayal of Benny Ray Riddle in Jerry Bruckheimer's Soldier of Fortune. He has 58 titles in his portfolio including co-starring in We Were Soldiers, Mel Gibson's blockbuster movie about Viet Nam, starring in the award-winning Soldier of God, acting alongside David Carradine in Miracle at Sage Creek in 2005, guest starring on the hit shows: CSI: NY, CSI: Miami and NCIS, and portraying Colonel Macon in Battle of Los Angeles released this February. His credits now include movie directing and production. His latest project as producer is Cross, starring Michael Clarke, Duncan, Vinney Jones and Brian Austin Greene, that is being released by Sony this May. Yet Abell is one of the rare Hollywood actors and producers who is unafraid to be very public about being a hunter and shooter.
"I'm sure that there are some that may not hire me because I hunt, shoot guns and was in the military - and I'm outspoken about it," commented Abell. " But my life was defined by these things. When I got into hunting it changed my perspective on who I am and drove the need within me to serve something bigger than myself."
Tim Abell is one of the "Stars of Orion" and his more detailed biography, along with those of the other hosts of Orion television series, can be found at www.thestarsoforion.com
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