RON KOVIC

I had the pleasure and incredible opportunity to interview Ron Kovic this month, April 2009.  He is a peace activist, a Vietnam veteran and a writer who was paralyzed in the Vietnam War.  He is best known for his book, 'Born on the Fourth of July', which was made into an Academy Award winning film, directed by Oliver Stone with Tom Cruise portraying him.  Ron told me that he wrote the book as his last will and testament.  He never thought he would live to see the age of 30.

 He is a decorated Marine, having served two tours of duty in Vietnam.  He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.  It was during his second tour when he was wounded forever.

In a new introduction of his book, written in 2005, Ron stated, "I wanted people to understand.  I wanted to share with them as nakedly and openly and intimately as possible what I had gone through, what I had endured.  I wanted them to know what it really meant to be in a war-to be shot and wounded, to be fighting for my life on the intensive care ward- not the myth we had grown up believing.  I wanted people to know about the hospitals and the enema room, about why I had become opposed to the war, why I had grown more and more committed to peace and nonviolence.  I had been beaten by the police and arrested twelve times for protesting the war and I had spent many nights in jail in my wheelchair.  I had been called a Communist and a traitor, simply for trying to tell the truth about what had happened in that war, but I refused to be intimidated."

I've spoken to Ron on several occassions by phone and when I finally met him, I was not only deeply honored, but truly in awe of this man who has experienced so much.

I asked Ron, during our interview, to shed some Light on HEALING and to speak directly to those who are now suffering, who may watch the documentary, in order to give them HOPE for a better future, to motivate them to NEVER GIVE UP, and that LIFE IS, MOST DEFINITELY, WORTH LIVING.

He is an inspiration to ALL of us.

ERIC HALL

I flew to Louisville, KY in early May to interview BECKY & KEVIN HALL, parents of fallen Marine corporal, ERIC HALL, 24, who had been deployed to both Afghanistan and Iraq.

In 2005, while on foot patrol in Fallujah, he was severely injured in an IED explosion that ripped through his leg and decapitated his best friend. He was medically discharged and retired from the Marines, and returned home. 

For three years he suffered with the physical injuries, enduring as many as 20 surgeries on his leg, post-traumatic stress, and the deep, inner wound of 'no longer fitting in' when he returned home.  He found himself without a job and with friends who were only interested in his pain medication.

He decided to move to Deep Creek, Florida to live with his aunt to begin a fresh start on life.  On February 3rd, 2008, Eric experienced a war flashback- fearing that Iraqi insurgents were surrounding him.  He fled on his motorcyle which was later found still running in the middle of a road in Harbor Heights, Florida.

Eric never returned home.  Local law enforcement began a search, but discontinued it after 2 weeks. However, the Vietnam Veterans, who were part of a separate search team, NEVER gave up. 

Eric's remains were found on March 8th, 2008, about a month after his disappearance, in a drainage pipe.  A Vietnam veteran and former Marine, Charlie Shaughnessey, crawled into the metal drainage pipe, which was 3 feet in diameter, after a scent drew his attention.  With combat knife and flashlight in hand, he crawled on his stomach for 60 yards and discovered human remains.

Charlie Shaughnessey believes that Eric may have taken shelter in the culvert to escape a small brush fire that he, accidently, created.

"His 86 year old grandmother, who Eric was staying with at the time, described the events prior to his sudden disappearance. A pillow that was caught on fire, conversations into an imaginary radio on his shoulder, kneeling to pray before the sofa, handling an imaginary weapon and the imaginary insurgents that were surrounding our home. Eric's remains were found 5 weeks later in a drainage pipe approximately 1 mile from the home." (Taken from their website)

The VA healed his body, but neglected his mind and soul.  There are far too many stories of soldiers returning home a shell of the person they once were and not getting the help they need and deserve.

I am very grateful to Kevin and Becky for their courage and willingness to share Eric's story for this documentary.  My friend, singer-songwriter, John Flynn, wrote a song about Eric's plight entitled, 'Semper Fi', which will be featured in the documentary.

Becky and Kevin have started a foundation in Eric's memory to create a 'safe place'- a place where veterans can go to get the help they so rightly deserve.  Their fundraising efforts continue with their goal being to establish their safe place in every state in America. 

Please check out their website:

The Eric Hall Foundation

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON

In early June, 2009, Kris was kind enough to grant me an interview for this project.  He is not only a Rhodes Scholar, singer-songwriter, actor, and musician, but is a U.S. Army Veteran from the Vietnam war era.  His father was a U.S. Air Force Major General and his paternal grandfather was an officer in the Swedish Army.

  He received the rank of Captain in the Army and was deployed to West Germany as a member of the 8th Infantry Division in the early 1960s.  He also completed Ranger School and became a helicopter pilot.  In 1965, when his tour of duty ended, he volunteered to go to Vietnam, instead, the Army offered him a position as a professor of English Literature at West Point.  He decided to leave the Army and pursue songwriting, professionally.

Kris spoke about his feelings on the issues this documentary explores- namely, taking care of the veteran once they return home.  And his songs often reflect the plight of the soldier, the veteran, injustice, and war.

I am honored and grateful to Kris for his participation.  Special thanks to Lisa, Kris's wife; and appreciation to my friend, John Flynn, who is good friends with Kris and approached him about participating in this documentary.

Kevin & Becky Hall

Photo courtesy of Chuck Branham & The News & Tribune, Jeffersonville, IN