The Ninety Fifth (95th)

Steve: How to fire a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR)

The 95th Movie — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:41:44 +0000

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.

The Southtown Star article on The 95th

The 95th Movie — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 23:46:31 +0000

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.

You can read the article here.

Thanks to both Jodi and The Southtown Star for spreading the word about The 95th and the documentary.

VeteranAid.org needs your support!

The 95th Movie — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:00:03 +0000

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

DVD Extra: Archival Footage, US troops moving thru destroyed village

The 95th Movie — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:00:45 +0000

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.

DVD Extra: Paul, “People did things that they wouldn’t have done with more experience…”

The 95th Movie — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 21:02:53 +0000

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.

DVD Extra: Steve, “You don’t get anything for nothing…”

The 95th Movie — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:46:16 +0000

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.

HollywoodChicago Review of The 95th: 4 stars!

The 95th Movie — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 20:30:06 +0000

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.

Stellar review for The 95th!

The 95th Movie — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 03:43:45 +0000

The website www.globeatwar.com, dedicated to the preservation of World War II military history, has posted a review of THE 95TH: THE IRON MEN OF METZ.

A few highlights: “highly recommend”, “brings the distant past to life” and “a film about veterans, for veterans, and… made for those who care about history.”

We’re proud to share such a great review from a leading World War II website with you.

Read the full review here.

DVD Extra: Nick, “Part of life we didn’t count on…”

The 95th Movie — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:58:05 +0000

In this excerpt from one of The 95th DVD extras, Nick discusses the draft and the effect it had on families and the soldiers, and how he kept his mind clear from the horrors of war upon his return to the states: dancin’ and cattin’!

Scene: Nick on fraternizing

The 95th Movie — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 21:10:44 +0000

Nick is such a character. I love the way he tells a story, how he conveys his thoughts, the language he uses. Was always a pleasure to talk with him and he never ceased to make us laugh.

In this scene from the documentary, Nick expounds upon his love for chasing the ladies, and how, during the war, it was a necessary distraction to retain his sanity during the most horrific of circumstances.

Oh, and his wife Harriet’s delivery of a lemonade could not have been timed more perfectly during the discussion on “fraternizing”.