"The METTLE BEHIND THE MERIT" The Steve Pisanos Story Educator's Kit The Educator's Kit is being made available FREE OF CHARGE and can be downloaded at the Distinguished Flying Cross Society website by clicking on the image above.

The word mettle describes personal characteristics that play a large role in determining success —­courage, resiliency, determination (to name a few). To say that someone “has mettle” means that person is someone who can persevere under challenging circumstances.

If you have ever felt you couldn't achieve your dream because the odds are stacked too high against you, you need to watch "The Mettle Behind the Merit" the Steve Pisano Story.

This award winning film was produced to bring the story of the American Dream into the classroom.

Steve Pisanos was a remarkable person who proved his mettle in many ways. His story and "never give up" determination clearly demonstrates what it means to be an American as it celebrates diversity, hard work and recognizing that we need to take pride in our country and community.

Old Guys & Their Airplanes is proud to present his amazing story of overcoming any
obstacle that was put in his way.

Produced & Directed By
John Mollison

Written By
John Mollison & Rick Lingberg

Edited By
Dalton Coffey & Rick Lingberg 

Never Give Up
by Rick Lingberg

Thomas Edison was told he was "too stupid to learn anything."

Never give up.

Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star because he, "lacked imagination and had no good ideas."

Never give up.

J.K. Rowling was a broke, divorced and single mother on welfare before she penned the first Harry Potter book.

Never give up.

Elvis Presley was told by the manager of the Grand Ole Opry "you'd be better off going back to your job as a truck driver."

Never give up.

These are people who in spite of multitudes of failures and insurmountable challenges used their talents and pursued their dreams to leave a lasting imprint on the world.

Have you ever met someone with a, seemingly, laser focus on how to achieve their goals? I did. His name is Steve Pisanos, the subject of the next episode of Old Guys & Their Airplanes: "The Mettle Behind the Merit the Steve Pisanos Story"

Steve grew up in a small village in Greece with the dream of someday being a military aviator. With little education and less money it would seem an aspiration that would be beyond his reach.

Never give up.

He was told the only way he'd ever be able to achieve that goal would be to go to America – nearly 5,000 miles away in a land of which he neither spoke the language nor knew the customs.

Never give up.

Not only did Steve get to America, but he became a military aviator, heroically served his adopted country (and others) and would eventually return to his homeland to honorably serve, both his new country and the country of his origin.

How? Simply put by Steve Pisanos, "If you want to be successful in life today you have to have a dream, an iron determination and never give up."

He never did!