Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (Oct. 6, 2021)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, October 6, 2021 -- SEVEN Heppner graduate, turned author, returns for book signing By Bobbi Gordon Author Scott McEwen, a 1979 graduate of Heppner High School, will be return- ing to his home town for a book signing event at Flood Town Books on October 16. McEwen has written 10 books, including Amer- ican Sniper, which is based on the life of SEAL Chris Kyle. Kyle is considered the most least lethal sniper of all time in United States military history. American Sniper, published in 2012, was an immediate New York Times best seller, re- maining at number one for three months. McEwen grew up in Heppner and was active in the outdoors, hunting, fishing and Boy Scouts. He became an Eagle Scout under the mentoring of Glenn Ward. “I credit Ward as truly the man who taught me how to survive in the Scott McEwen wild,” McEwen told the Gazette-Times. After grad- uating he left Heppner and attended Oregon State Uni- versity, graduating in 1983. He initially planned to go on to medical school, but “was frankly tired of the university.” Instead, he packed a single bag and left for Europe to sort out what he wanted to do with his life. While in Europe, he lived primarily in London but visited many countries in the eastern bloc of the then Soviet Union, includ- ing Berlin. Those visits were very formative in his belief that “socialism and communism are a scourge on the face of the planet.” After returning to the United States from Eu- rope, he decided to attend law school, receiving a scholarship and graduating from University of the Pa- cific in 1987. He took the California bar and started practicing law in Los An- geles for a large law firm. He said, “‘LA Law’ was glamorous in the beginning and thereafter became a real drain on the soul.” After a few years, he moved to San Diego to get away from the traffic and the ‘insanity’ in LA. He practiced corporate litigation in San Diego for McEwen with family at the Red Carpet New York Premier of American Sniper. another 25 years. While practicing law, he began doing pro bono work (free legal services) for military families in San Diego, which has a huge Navy and Marine Corp population. As a result, he started doing work with Navy SEALs, which in- cluded Chris Kyle. He and Chris became good friends, drinking buddies and would shoot long-range rifles to- gether. During that time, he learned about Kyle’s war experience as a sniper, which led to McEwen doing research and writing what would ultimately become the book American Sniper. After the release of the book, he was approached by multiple producers and studios about making a movie or a series based on the book. Those negotia- tions led to meeting and getting to know Bradley Cooper who wanted to play Chris in the movie. “I personally chose Jason Hall The former Cornerstone Gallery Gift store on Main Street in Heppner was reduced to a pile of to write the script and while Gift store torn down to make way for new Dollar General rubble last week, as crews came in to begin construction of the new Dollar General store. The new store is located on the former gift store and RV park location and is expected to be built and operational by the first of the year, according to company officials. -Photo by David Sykes. he was working on it, Chris was killed in February 2013 by an ex-military member he was trying to help in Texas. One of the saddest days of my life,” McEwen stated. “Thereafter,” McEw- en said, “It was my job to ensure that the movie did credit to Chris Kyle and his memory.” The movie was picked up by Steven Spiel- berg to direct, but McEwen always wanted Clint East- wood to direct the movie. As did Chris. “As luck (and possibly a divine power) would have it, Spielberg an- nounced he was no longer going to direct the movie. I was then on the phone to Clint Eastwood and the rest is history.” The movie was the number one gross- ing military movie of all time, received six Academy Awards and multiple other accolades. “Since American sniper I have written nine addition- al books, many of which were national best sellers,” continued McEwen. “While I still have a license to prac- tice law I consider myself a recovering lawyer at this stage and devote most of my efforts to writing books. My last book, called “Hell Week and Beyond” was released in May of this year. I am currently working on a book entitled “The 2A” which is a historical work on the second amendment.” “I am happy to have the opportunity to sign books in Heppner at its newest bookstore and look forward to seeing many friends who still live in the area. I would like to thank and recognize some great teachers I had while going to Heppner High School, each of which was influential in their own way to my success. Jane Rawlins, Jim Ackley and Gordon Neiffer were pre- scient and disciplined in their approach. Borders to learning and inquiry did not exist in their minds, and they imparted that to me. And thank you, Walt Pilgrim who made sure I could type faster than most of my legal secretaries, a skill I highly encourage.” “For a short period of time, I had the number one selling book on earth, the number one movie on earth and was the number one ranked author on earth on Amazon for total book sales. Did it go to my head? I hope not, because I am just a kid from Heppner. I was blessed with two amazing parents, Don and Betty McEwen (now de- ceased) who taught me to never give up, study hard, work hard and never settle for anything less than you can achieve. I recommend the same to all,” McEwen added. Ione Community School honors students and staff Ione Community School recently honored three people as September’s students and staff of the month. Brodie Ogden, Tom Gates and Taylor Rollins were all recognized for their efforts and commitment to the school. Ione’s superintendent Kevin Dinning reported, “Brodie brings our ele- mentary breakfast cool- ers to the classroom every day, and you will see him holding the door open for someone whenever he has the chance. Tom is always ready to help with a smile on his face and our build- ing would not run the way it needs to be without him. Taylor is one of our student assistants for our athletic director, and he is always ready to help in any way he can. Brodie, Taylor and Tom have positive attitudes, Community Pictured (L-R): Brodie Ogden, Tom Gates and Taylor Roll- ins. -Contributed Photo. and we appreciate them for this educational community continuing to contribute to in a positive way.” Rare 14+ Acre Gem 4 bd, 2bth, remodel down to the studs, creek, garden, pasture, fenced, barn, shop. Minutes to Blue Mtns., OHV park & town. $465,000 MLS 21566001. Sheryl Newton, Broker, ABR,CRS,GRI American West Properties 541-571-4141 ALL NEWS AND ADVERTISEMENT DEADLINE: MONDAYS AT 5:00 P.M. At Umatilla Electric, we’re shaped by the people we serve. As a community-owned utility, we are driven to be more than a business, we are an energy partner. Learn more about how UEC is helping to power communities at: Hermiston Office Boardman Office 750 W. Elm Ave. Hermiston, OR 97838 (541) 567-6414 400 N.E. Eldrige Drive Boardman, OR 97818 (541) 481-2220
