Reminder: ‘Almost Sunrise’ documentary showing and discussion, Nov. 19, 20

Would you and your students like to learn more about veterans issues? If so, the documentary, “Almost Sunrise” will be shown in the Christie Theatre on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019 from 9 to 11 a.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019 from 2 to 4 p.m. All faculty, staff and students are invited to view the documentary; students studying for careers to ultimately work with veteran populations can really gain valuable information from this film and the discussion.

The film discussion will take place on Friday, Nov. 22 from noon to 1 p.m in the Christie Theatre. One of the Department of Education’s 8 Keys to Veteran’s Success is providing comprehensive professional development for faculty and staff on issues and challenges unique to veterans.

“Almost Sunrise” is a story of resilience and recovery. A feature-length documentary, the film follows two Wisconsin Iraq veterans, Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, as they struggle with depression upon returning home from military service. Fearful of succumbing to the epidemic of veteran suicide, they both seek a lifeline and embark on a 2,700-mile walk across America as a way to confront their inner pain. The film captures an intimate portrait of two friends suffering from the unseen wounds of war as they discover an unlikely treatment: the restorative power of silence and meditation. A cinematic experience that juxtaposes the internal struggles of its characters against the wide-open spaces of America’s heartland, “Almost Sunrise” is also the first film to explore “moral injury:” the profound shame that many veterans feel when their experiences of war violate their moral beliefs, and a possible critical factor in veteran suicide.

Questions can be directed to to Elaina Koltz at koltze@uwgb.edu.