Veteran’s Day Free Movie Screening

Posted on 09 November 2009

In honor of Veterans Day, The Galaxy Theatres at the Cannery Casino & Hotel will host a special open-to-the-public, free screening of “Who Will Stand,” an award winning documentary film created by local Las Vegas film-makers featuring Clint Holmes performing the title song. The FREE screenings will take place at 1 pm and 4 pm on Veterans Day, Wednesday, November 11th. Attendees are invited to provide a donation as the price of admission with proceeds going to HELP USA LAS VEGAS, a Las Vegas-based organization that finds housing for homeless veterans.

There are many films about the war in Iraq, but this small team of Las Vegas filmmakers decided that soldiers would be better served by addressing the issues they deal with after they return home. The movie focuses on more than a dozen soldiers who are either physically or psychologically wounded and the several charities – some of them local to Las Vegas – who assist them. Director Phil Valentine and Director of Photography Michael Bedik traveled across the United States to find soldiers who were willing to talk candidly about their issues. “Who Will Stand” is a call to action and inspires the community to help those brave men and women of our military.

Startling statistics show there are many real consequences of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) going undiagnosed and untreated. More American soldiers are killing themselves after they return home than ever; the divorce rate has tripled since the beginning of the war and substance abuse among veterans has grown to four times the national average.

Executive Producer Gerald Gillock, a Las Vegas Attorney, originally set out to make a film to highlight amputees and their physical struggles. But as Valentine explains, “We found that veterans deal with a wider scope of issues that went beyond the physical. The psychological scars are not as apparent but a lot harder to heal.

When approached by Valentine to change the point of view of the film, Gillock was flexible and told the crew to follow their instincts. “They definitely made the right decision and created a film that is eye opening, heart wrenching and inspirational,” added Gillock.

A portion of the DVD sales will go to support organizations that help veterans anonymously, immediately and without cost. This includes the Wounded Warrior Project, Canines for Combat Wounded, The Soldiers Project and Help USA.

For more information on “Who Will Stand” visit www.whowillstand4us.com