The screening is FREE (did we mention that?) and will include a post-show Q&A with the filmmakers, as well as a live music performance by Joseph Dittman of Blind Anabaptist Blues.
A map and directions to the American Legion Merle Guild Post #208 can be found here.
We are honored to be a part of this Memorial Day celebration of our veterans’ contributions and sacrifice.
The screening is FREE (did we mention that?), and will include a post show Q&A with the filmmakers as well as a live musical performance by Joseph Dittman of Blind Anabaptist Blues.
A map & directions to the American Legion Merle Guild Post #208 can be found here.
We are honored to be a part of this Memorial Day celebration of our veterans’ contributions and sacrifice.
We’re thrilled to announce that the website World War II History has given THE 95th: THE IRON MEN OF METZ a great review!
Highlights include “very moving” and “the producers should be praised.” Aww, shucks. We’re honored to be included on this prestigious website. Thanks to reviewer Steve Terjeson for helping preserve the memories of the 95th, and all the American veterans who served in World War II.
My grandfather loved talking about his techniques for firing his BAR in WW2. He took immense pride in devising his own style for this enormous gun, given that he was such a tiny guy, especially back in 1944. He weighed only 116 lbs. at the time, and the Browning Automatic Rifle weighed approximately 15 lbs. and he also had to lug 20 lbs. of ammunition.
In this deleted scene from the documentary, he shares his unique approach to firing just a single round from the BAR.
I did an interview with Jodi Marneris of The Southtown Star, a southside Chicago newspaper. Three of the central characters in the documentary were from the south side of Chicago (my grandfather Steve Finik, Nick Fusco and Chuck Wood), so we were excited to get an article in a “hometown” publication.
I wish I knew about this program while my grandfather Steve was succumbing to dementia. It was a difficult time, especially on my mother, who was the sole caregiver for my grandfather during his final days.
Debbie from VeteranAid.org has been working tirelessly to get the word out on these little known benefits for veterans, who deserve them and more. Her dedication is an inspiration. Please pass this information on to anyone you know who may benefit from it or can help spread the word: veterans, their families, local politicians, the press, anyone.
If my family would have known about this program, it would have helped immensely with the care of my grandfather during his final few years when he was no longer able to care for himself. Below are a few paragraphs from Debbie at VeteranAid.org on the benefit:
The Veterans Administration offers Aid and Attendance as part of an “Improved Pension” Benefit that is largely unknown. This Improved Pension allows for Veterans and surviving spouses who require the regular attendance of another person to assist in eating, bathing, dressing, undressing, medication dosing, or taking care of the needs of nature to receive additional monetary benefits. It also includes individuals who are blind or a patient in a nursing home because of mental or physical incapacity. Assisted care in an Assisted Living facility also qualifies.
This most important benefit is overlooked by many families with Veterans or surviving spouses who need additional monies to help care for ailing parents or loved ones. This is a “Pension Benefit” and IS NOT dependent upon service-related injuries for compensation. Aid and Attendance can help pay for care in the home, Nursing Home or Assisted Living facility. A Veteran is eligible for up to $1,632 per month, while a surviving spouse is eligible for up to $1,055 per month. A couple is eligible for up to $1,949 per month*. For more information on this pension and how to apply, please visit www.veteranaid.org
The National Archives are an amazing resource. Hundreds of hours of footage are available to citizens of the US on every subject imaginable. For The 95th, I spent three days sifting thru World War II combat footage of the 95th Infantry and other units that were in the Metz, France area and just over the border in Germany near Saarlautern.
For history buffs, I would definitely recommend a visit to the National Archives outside of Washington DC. You will be undoubtedly amazed.
Paul’s recollection of the details of combat he was involved with over 55 years ago is astounding. He remembers the names of everyone in his platoon, as well as when and where soldiers were killed in action.
As I write this, Paul and other 95ers are on a trip similar to the one featured in the documentary, this time honoring the 65th anniversary of the liberation of Metz, France from Nazi occupation by the 95th Infantry Division. Near the end of this clip, Paul makes a simple statement regarding “the waste and the potential of people” lost during the war that I find particularly poignant and powerful, especially when you look at all the youthful faces in the Company A photo he refers to, and know that many of those young men sacrificed their lives shortly after the photo was taken.
When my grandfather would get fired up, he would tell it exactly as he saw it.
Who am I kidding? He ALWAYS told it exactly as he saw it.
While he would have fought to the death for the country he so dearly loved, political leaders infuriated him with their rhetoric and promises. He was a hard working man with an 8th grade education from the south side of Chicago, and everything he ever had, he earned.
The press is loving THE 95TH: THE IRON MEN OF METZ!
Over at HollywoodChicago, a leading movie review and news website, critic Patrick McDonald calls THE 95TH a “captivating” and “poignant” story that “honors” all World War II veterans.
We are thrilled to share the full review with you here.
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