Michael Edward Marks (born January 5, 1960) is an award-winning author, poet and songwriter best known for his patriotic writings in support of America's Armed Forces.
Mr. Marks also wrote the bestselling military science fiction novel Dominant Species (novel) which provides a very hard-hitting depiction of Marines in powered armor, as well as non-fiction books on counterterrorism such as The Emergency Responder's Guide to Terrorism. Books and interactive programs authored by Mr. Marks have been incorporated into state-mandatory certification programs in 27 states, with adoptions by such entities as the George Washington University College of Forensic Science, the US Army/FBI Hazardous Devices School, the FBI National Academy and throughout numerous federal and state-level law enforcement and intelligence agencies.
Named the Poet Laureate of the Society of the 9th Infantry Division (United States) (SONID), Marks' work hangs in the Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita, Arizona and has been featured in numerous books, magazines and newspapers around the world, to include Stars and Stripes (newspaper) and The Washington Times.
In 2007, Marks teamed with award-winning country music artist Michael Martin Murphey to create the hit country single adaptation of "A Soldier's Christmas" after the poem met with longstanding ovations in Murphey's national Cowboy Christmas tour, leading to a national release. Marks' works have been professionally produced by on-air personalities such as Thom Richards, WOKO Radio and air annually on radio stations across the United States. In 2009, Chicago radio celebrity Paul Brian teamed with Joe Cantafio to produce a musical performance of "A Soldier's Christmas" to benefit the Wounded Warrior Project in their support of injured soldiers and their families.
Several of these poems have been termed modern Christmas classics that have been incorporated into school plays and public presentations around the country.
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