Tillamook Showing of Battleground & Backroads

Last Sunday, April 26th, Brad and Sean headed down to Tillamook with a box full of t-shirts and the excitement that comes with showing the documentary. It's a chance to save some lives, to connect vets in need with resources, and to fight veteran suicide.

We met with Nick Torres and other veteran organization leaders and set up for our first showing, then a reception at the local Elks lodge, and then a second showing. The first showing went well, but we did have a veteran walk out. I (Sean) met him in the lobby. He saw some of the photos I took in Iraq and got choked up. He said he was good friends with someone who died from that unit. I explained to him that those were my guys. We found we both knew David Weisenberg, one of the foward observers who were killed during my tour.

The second showing was a bit tougher. When we went down on to Tillamook to be on the radio to promote this show, we heard the news that a veteran had killed himself and left behind a family. We got news that those loved ones were coming to our showing. Watching it again, with them in the audience, completely changed my perspective. All I could think was how much they were hurting. I kept thinkign that we need to do more for our veterans. Me, myself, I need to do more to help.

After the showing Brad and I had dinner with Nick and Max Sherman. Max was instrumental in getting us the venue and means to show the documentary. Over all it was a great showing and we did connect veterans in need with resources. That's what it's all about. So mission complete, but that doesn't mean it wasn't difficult. I took the entire next day to try to get my head back. I know Brad did too. This really takes a alot of our us. There is a lot of stress and depression that comes from it not to mention hashing up the war and the struggle, but it's worth it if we can help just one person.

Here are some photos of the event: