Movie being shot in Huntsville combines local and award-winning talent
WSFA News
By Lindsey Connell, Reporter
Tuesday, April 10th 2018
HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF)
Lights, camera, action! Huntsville is getting a touch of Hollywood as crews get ready to start shooting a new movie in north Alabama.
The plot of the independent feature film called “Only Easy Day” packs a powerful message.
Director/producer Tim Reischauer is a Los Angeles transplant to Huntsville with lots major TV shows and movies to his credit, including "Desperate Housewives,"I"t’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia," "Medium," "13 Going on 30," and many more.
He says the Huntsville area was selected as the location for the movie because of the area’s strong support for those who have served our country.
“Huntsville is a mecca of military and retired military, but more importantly, the production being centered here gives it a base of reality,” Reischauer stated.
“Only Easy Day” follows the life of a former Navy Seal who has spiraled out of control. The main character, named Bradley Johnson, struggles with returning to civilian life.
“PTSD has pushed his life in a direction to self-medicating and alcoholism. It's a redemption movie as well. It follows him through some very tough times,” Reischauer explained. “It might a little more empathy, not sympathy, but empathy to somebody we see on the street.”
The movie is meant to bring awareness to PTSD, mental health issues, homelessness and addiction. Many of those involved in the project are veterans, including associate producer Kasey Brown.
read more here
UPDATE
Lakeland teen surprises formerly homeless veteran with Honor Flight
WFLA 8 News
Melissa Marino
April 11, 2018
LAKELAND, Fla. (WFLA) - An Army Veteran who spent years living on the streets in Lakeland is getting the trip of a lifetime, all thanks to a teen who has made it her mission to help him.
Vietnam Veteran William Dread, also known as Willie, and 17-year-old Emily Cornelius will take off on Wednesday on the Honor Flight to Washington D.C. from the Lakeland Linder Airport.
Over the years, the pair has formed an unlikely bond.
"I decided I would go back on my military training and bought my tent and I just camped out," William Dread said.
He told WFLA that after serving as an officer in the Army, he fell on tough times. For years, the Vietnam Veteran lived on the streets of Lakeland.
But one moment changed his life forever.
read more here
US Army Iraq Veteran "Pays It Forward" To Marine Colonel Who Saved Her From Life In Prison
CISION PR Newswire
Military Appreciation Partnerships, Inc.
10:01 ET
SEATTLE, April 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Lt. Elizabeth Whiteside, US Army Ret., has joined a team of supporters organizing a Trending GoFundMe Campaign on behalf of Colonel Mike Whalen, co-founder of Military Appreciation Partnerships, Inc., in his time of need. Resulting from her 2007 suicide attempt in Iraq, Whiteside faced Army Court-Martial charging her with five offenses, if convicted, could result in life in Federal Prison.
Over the following year Whiteside's family, legal team, Veterans organizations, and Senators Barack Obama, Claire McCaskill, Barbara Boxer, John Kerry and Kit Bond were unable to dissuade the Army from pursuing the charges. Similarly, the national press corps support of Katie Couric, CBS Evening News plus The Washington Post's Dana Priest and Anne Hull did not stop the relentless continuation of the Court-Martial.
Through a chance meeting, Whiteside's father Tom was put in touch with Colonel Mike Whalen, a fierce and effective and lifelong Veterans' advocate. Within five days, Col. Whalen was able to convince Army brass to drop all charges against Whiteside granting her an honorable discharge with medical benefits. Upon her complete recovery, she continued her education and today is a working professional in the mental health field.
Colonel Mike Whalen has spent his entire life helping others. He has served his country proudly as a US Marine, sustaining serious injuries as a result of his service. Col. Mike has always been able to do the impossible... Producing the "Carrier Classic" college Basketball game on the deck of the Carl Vinson Aircraft Carrier... Raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for Veterans and conducting morale boosting coaches, astronauts and INDY racing tours to our military in combat zones in the Middle East.
Now Col. Whalen has fallen on hard times. His injuries, shrapnel and Traumatic Brain Injury are catching up with him. He is now facing imminent eviction from his home. Upon hearing of Col. Whalen's plight, Elizabeth quickly joined up with others who have benefited from his help by sponsoring his GoFundMe account…telling his story and asking for your generosity to "Pay It Forward" in his time of need.
The GoFundMe campaign is rapidly approaching its goal with notable contributions from Mario Andretti, Houston Nutt, and other celebrities.
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I remember her story well. Read more about what Whiteside had to go through to understand how much this means to her...and many more.
SC soldier gunned down at birthday party is memorialized
The State
BY TRACY KIMBALL
April 08, 2018
ROCK HILL
Several hundred mourners gathered Saturday at Gethsemane Church in Rock Hill to lay to rest. Spc. Eric Levon Williams at a party at the former American Legion on Cherry Road. Williams had been in the Army National Guard with a Columbia unit since enlisting after graduating from South Pointe High School in May 2013. Williams, 24, was shot and killed March 31.
He was given full military honors at the service. A bugle played "Taps" as two members of the Army National Guard Honor Guard folded an American flag draped across his casket.
read more here
For the fourth quarter of 2017, the Military Services reported the following:
• 83 suicide deaths in the Active Component
• 16 suicide deaths in the Reserves
• 19 suicide deaths in the National Guard
Reminder
2012
Active 321
Reserve Component 204
2013
Active 256
Reserve Component 220
2014
Active 276
Reserve Component 170
2015
Active 266
Reserve Component 214
2016
Active 280
Reserve Component 202
2017
Active 285
Reserve Component 219
Take a look at the casualties from Iraq and Afghanistan during the years from 2012 thru 2017
