WESTFIELD-A special film screening is set April 25 to awaken the public on the cultural gap that exists between veterans and civilians.
The 98-minute film, “Almost Sunrise: Hope Is On the Horizon,” will be screened at 6 p.m. at Dever Stage, Parenzo Hall, Westfield State University. Westfield State President Dr. Ramon S. Torrecilha will open the program by introducing Bennett Walsh, superintendent of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke who will provide opening remarks.
Iraq war veterans Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson trekked across America to come to terms with their experiences. A film highlighting their journey will be screened at Westfield State University on April 25. (Submitted photo)
“This film will give the public an opportunity to see and hear challenges people with PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) go through, and how it not only affects them, but it affects the family as well,” said Lisa Ducharme, Veteran and Military Service Coordinator/VA certifying official, at Westfield State.
Ducharme said the documentary features two young Iraq war veterans who embark on a 2,700-mile trek on foot across America to come to terms with their experiences, and also explains “moral injury,” a term she discovered when she first saw the film.
“There is ongoing research to look at different alternatives over medication, such as meditation, outdoor adventures, and more,” said Ducharme.
Ducharme explained that Westfield State was part of the 100-City College and Community Tour for the film in 2017. Since the film screening was at the end of the semester, approximately 35 people attended.
“I was struck by how this film affected them, there wasn’t a person in the room that didn’t have something positive to say, and were glad they didn’t miss it,” said Ducharme. “When we were discussing what event we wanted to do this semester, we thought about this film, and how life changing and meaningful it was for those who attended.”
Ducharme said that when people hear PTSD, they often think of veterans.
“I read a statistic that about 8 million adults have PTSD during a given year,” said Ducharme. “This film offers hope and has you think outside the box when it comes to healing and recovery.”
Following the screening, a panel discussion titled “Healing and Recovery” will be moderated by Father Warren Savage, Catholic chaplain at the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center at Westfield State. Panelists include Matthew Moriarty, captain, Holyoke Police Department; Rick Hendricks, MA, LMFT, couples and family readjustment therapist, Springfield Vet Center; Henry Fristik, assistant chief, Chester Fire Department and Westfield State student; Robert Hayes, Ph.D., chairman of the Graduate Program in Psychology, Westfield State; Tammy Bringaze, Ph.D., NCC, LWHC, director, Westfield State Counseling Center; Stephen Lee, M.S., PA-C, director of didactic education, Westfield State’s Physician Assistant Program, and Ashley Weisse, MSPH, Westfield State physician assistant student.
For more information on the free film screening which is open to the public, or to reserve tickets, send an email to [email protected].
“When people see this film, I hope it will encourage an ongoing conversation,” said Ducharme, noting the film details holistic healing practices on the horizon that Americans cannot afford to ignore.
