Hairston's heartfelt sentiments were sent to F.O.X.E. (The Fans Of X-Rated Entertainment) in February 1991. The original copy of the letter is safely put away among my most treasured possessions, because it inspired the most enduring, dynamic, and thought-provoking image ever created FOR the Adult Entertainment Industry---the "Fighting For Your Freedom" poster, and its many subsequent incarnations, ranging from t-shirts to mouse-pads, and from lapel pins to wall calendars.
But its birth wasn't as easy as you would think.
Fortunately I was living with the notorious adult actress, Viper, at the time, and among her many other accomplishments, she had served in the Marine for six years. So when I suggested that I was "going to take Iwo Jima and put five other women in it besides you" she grinned, politely thanked me for thinking so highly of her, and matter-of-factly responded, "you had better get their (the Marines) permission."
Charged with that mission, although even my most naive associates fully know that I would have proceeded with my plan, permission...or not, I ventured off to the Marine offices near La Brea and Rodeo Blvd. (near Baldwin Hills).
After wandering around the corridors for a while, with just enough expression on my face to suggest that I knew where I was going, I located a formidable Gunnery Sergeant named Enrique Torres, who also just happened to be in charge of Public Relations.
Boldly, I announced, "I'm going to take six women and put them in the Iwo Jima pose."
Torres bristled, and immediately all sorts of images from Leon Uris' "Battle Cry" flashed before my eyes. Hmm, could a civilian be put on KP? Was there a special stockade for "public" nuisances? Having been refused by the Marines when I tried to enlist in 1960 (because I had been "incorrigible" during my juvenile delinquent days), would I now be allowed to serve?
Torres quickly dispelled any of my concerns, by following up his bristle with a smile, and a quick response, "sure, Sir, and I'll be happy to help choreograph it for you." After insisting that he call me anything but "Sir," I told him that I would start rounding up the ladies, and a photographer, and report back to him in the near future.
Convinced that I needed the very best photographer available, and having just become aware of Brad Willis' striking creations for a couple of major adult video companies, I contacted him, and rather easily persuaded him to help create "an image for the ages." Of course, he would be "volunteering" his services, and those of his wife, who would function as make-up and set director, but F.O.X.E. would cover all of the other production expenses (film, developing, studio rental, etc.).
It's interesting to note here, that when I dropped my idea on the table of the next Adult Video Association board meeting, much like a happy puppy bringing his master at least one slipper, I was told not to do it, that in fact, "it would be unpatriotic." Essentially their resistance guaranteed the project's completion, as the five most important letters in the (my) adult entertainment alphabet are R-E-B-E-L.
Finding actresses to join Viper in the shot wasn't very hard, as every lusty lady I contacted absolutely demanded to be part of the project. The only problem was their extremely busy schedules. And I'm talking about a smoldering spectrum of stars including Nina Hartley, Jeanna Fine, Britt Morgan, Ashlyn Gere, Raven, Cameo, and Brandy Alexandre.
As I wanted to premiere the poster at the July 1991 Video Software Dealer's Association Convention in Las Vegas, I knew that it had to be done by the end of May, in order to allow enough time for printing (which had been "willingly volunteered" by Michael Warner and Great Western Litho).
Therefore, on the Sunday before Memorial Day, 1991, in a tiny studio in Culver City, the six "Fighting For Your Freedom" femmes who slipped into tattered battle garb and struck the powerful pose were (clockwise from left to right) Viper, Porsche Lynn, Alicyn Sterling, Taylor Wane, Selena Steele and Ashley Nicole.
It took over seven hours. Willis clicked off 70 shots. Gunnery Sgt. Torres was on hand, but could only watch in awe of the enthusiastic desire exhibited by the six, as Selena would call them "warriors." There was also a video crew on hand to record the event. It was very hot and very uncomfortable, both factors enhanced by the presence of a smoke machine. My writing partner, Mark Weiss provided some modest refreshments, and Brad's wife tried to keep the ladies' spirits up, but the precise posing pressures began to fray at the nerves of all involved. Herein, a battle was being fought against time. Finally, as the atmosphere neared intolerability, Willis announced that he had what he needed. Driving home in the hazy twilight, emotionally drained, I told Viper that she had just been part of "something great." She smiled, purred, "I hope so," and fell asleep. Four days later, she left the adult entertainment business, driving, as I've mused "out of history, into legend."
And the legend of the "Fighting For Your Freedom" image lives on as well, as it has been 15 years since that sweltering session in Culver City, and the radiance of what was rendered that day, is now THE explosive public service announcement for The Free Speech Coalition, that can been seen at the beginning of millions of adult video tapes.
The public's reaction to the image, in all of its anti-censorship fund-raising forms, has been overwhelmingly positive. I wear the t-shirt constantly (it comes in white, gray and black), and have had it commented on 1000's of times.
A few years after its creation, I received the following note from a F.O.X.E. member named Stephan Walsh:
I will proudly display the poster, remembering what our American flag stands for, and the beautiful adult actresses who bring so much warmth and desire to so many hearts.
"Thank You" doesn't come any better than that!