High Ground Documentary: Partner Update, January 2013
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7/30/2019 High Ground Documentary: Partner Update, January 2013 http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/high-ground-documentary-partner-update-january-2013 1/3 By Paul Fanning ALBANY, NY – The NYS Museum played host for a special screening of a new independent film featuring wounded warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan and a Gold Star Mother working together to heal themselves by climbing a mountain in the Himalayas. Following the presentation, two serving and one retired member of the NY Army National Guard reflected on the film and their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. The film’s coordinating producer, Scott Watts spoke about the many screenings at military bases and communities that are taking place nationwide. The discussion was led by Benita Zahn, news co-anchor of NBC affiliate WNYT TV 13 in Albany and premier area health reporter. She is the area leader for educational and informational programs on veterans’ health issues and reintegration back into the community. Throughout the journey each shares their compelling and deeply personal struggle directly connected with their experience in war. The team of new mountain climbers is a recreation of their previous military team. The mountain -- a symbol of extreme challenge – one they are destined to face and overcome like life itself. High Ground is the strategic position to capture, the one easiest to defend, the position of advantage. The lesson learned is despite their wounds, they have what it takes. But like before, they need to work as a team because they can never accomplish anything alone. It’s about helping each other. “We do it to try and get the stories out there, to shine a light on these issues,” said Watts in response to the direct question about why the film was made. “It’s about helping the public better understand the veterans’ situation and needs. The film is meant to help in that process.” Watts has family in the NY Army National Guard. The film struck deep chords with Major Joseph Chodnicki, First Sergeant (retired) Pat Abrams and Staff Sergeant Kelly Kenyon, who have their own memories of war, injury and loss. Chodnicki and Abrams are both Purple Heart Medal recipients from Afghanistan and Iraq respectively and Kenyon served as a combat medic in Iraq. High Ground Parter Update, January 2013 Page 1 Partner Update: January 2013 High Ground Partners With The NY State Museum in Albany
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Transcript of High Ground Documentary: Partner Update, January 2013
7/30/2019 High Ground Documentary: Partner Update, January 2013
http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/high-ground-documentary-partner-update-january-2013 1/3
By Paul Fanning ALBANY, NY – The NYS Museum playedhost for a special screening of a newindependent film featuring woundedwarriors from Iraq and Afghanistan and aGold Star Mother working together toheal themselves by climbing a mountainin the Himalayas.
Following the presentation, twoserving and one retired member of theNY Army National Guard reflected on the
film and their experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. The film’s coordinatingproducer, Scott Watts spoke about themany screenings at military bases andcommunities that are taking placenationwide.
The discussion was led by BenitaZahn, news co-anchor of NBC affiliateWNYT TV 13 in Albany and premier areahealth reporter. She is the area leader for educational and informational programs
on veterans’ health issues andreintegration back into the community.
Throughout the journey eachshares their compelling and deeplypersonal struggle directly connected withtheir experience in war. The team of newmountain climbers is a recreation of their previous military team. The mountain -- a
symbol of extreme challenge – one theyare destined to face and overcome likelife itself. High Ground is the strategicposition to capture, the one easiest todefend, the position of advantage. Thelesson learned is despite their wounds,
they have what it takes. But like before,they need to work as a team becausethey can never accomplish anythingalone. It’s about helping each other.
“We do it to try and get the storiesout there, to shine a light on these
issues,”said Wattsin responseto thedirectquestionabout whythe filmwas made.“It’s about
helping the public better understand theveterans’ situation and needs. The film ismeant to help in that process.” Watts hasfamily in the NY Army National Guard.
The film struck deep chords withMajor Joseph Chodnicki, First Sergeant(retired) Pat Abrams and Staff SergeantKelly Kenyon, who have their ownmemories of war, injury and loss.Chodnicki and Abrams are both PurpleHeart Medal recipients from Afghanistanand Iraq respectively and Kenyon servedas a combat medic in Iraq.
High Ground Parter Update, January 2013
Page 1
Partner Update: January 2013
High Ground Partners
With The NY State
Museum in Albany
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“For me, the people I connectedwith the best were the other wounded Iwas with at Walter Reed,” said Chodnicki.“There are friends of mine in theneighborhood, known them all of my life,”
said Abrams. “None of them have ever served and neither have their kids,” hesaid. “My son is a Marine. We are aservice family,” he added. “They don’tget it.”
Staff Sergeant Kelly Kenyon wasamong only four women assigned to a700-member infantry task force from theNY Army National Guard in Iraq in 2004.
In addition to speaking about team work,
the sense of purpose and the tacticalchallenges, Kenyon spoke of the addedburdens and pressures military womenface and was depicted in the film.
“I felt it. I’ve seen it,” she said,referring to the story behind one of thewomen veteran who received insultingand harassing emails from an unnamedmale veteran following a military articlewhich covered her struggles andtreatment for Post Traumatic Stress.
“Even before there are anywounds and injuries, just being a womanin the military is difficult,” she said. Far too often, some military men devalue thecontributions and experiences of womenmembers in both overt and subtle ways.“It’s complicated and trying to deal with it
is complicated,” she said. “It’s going totake a long time.” LtCol Paul Fanning retired in 2012 as the head of the NY Army National Guard Public Affairs Office.
• Sierra Club Mission Outdoors
announced an opening for a full timeMilitary Community Outdoor Recreationand Activity Organizer position basedout of DC or San Francisco. See the
Sierra Club website for details.• Gallant Few continues with their mission to pair veterans withemployers. In addition, they haveaverted several veteran suicides sinceJanuary first. Please watch and taketheir Spartan Pledge. Run Ranger! Run
has attracted over 200 participants fromacross the USA and three countries inEurope. This event honors theincredible 565 mile journey that Ranger
Cory Smith took alone, in 28 days ayear ago. They’re asking people toform teams of up to ten and combinetheir walking, biking and running milesto get to 565 all in the month of February. The testimonials teams areposting are amazing:www.runrangerrun.com.
• Honoring The Path Of The Warrior
has posted their 2013 events innorthern California for veterans. From
hikes, rowing, and whitewhater rafting,look them up on their Events Schedule
• The Soldiers’ Project continuesoffering free, unlimited and confidentialcounseling for veterans and families.They are looking for counselors todonate time to meet an uprise in service
High Ground Parter Update, January 2013
Page 2
Roundup: Meeting the Needs of Veterans & Families
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requests in the Pacific Northwest.Check out their website.
• Veterans Writing Project haspublished a quarterly literary review, a
podcast, and has an ongoing scroll of writing by their writers on their onlinesite, O-Dark-Thirty.
• World Team Sports completed their 2012 Face of America ride from thePentagon in Arlington, Virginia to thehistoric battlefields of Gettysburg,Pennsylvania. It attracted 500participants, including 80 or more disabled veterans from all branches of the military. The 2013 Face of America
will be held this April 26-28; the websiteat http://faceofamericabikeride.com iscurrently active.
• Quilts of Valor moves veterans from allwars who receive quilts in honor of their service. Sewn by thousands of volunteers who meet weekly in townsacross America, follow Alycia Carmin ontheir blog.
• Connected Warriors has been invitedto the US Army Comprehensive Soldier
& Family Fitness to share stressreduction benefits through yoga. Read
About Them on their site.
• Team River Runners has postedupcoming national trips. From the SanJuan River to the Grand Canyon, check out their list of events.
High Ground wants to partner with faith-basedorganizations of all sizes, especially those that reachthe 40% of veterans who live in rural areas.
Please contact Kanani Fong, Military & VeteranOutreach Coordinator through Facebook or email.
Check our website for upcoming screenings
Army veteran Bill Czyzewski, left, using a hand cycle in World Team Sports, 2012 Face of
America ride. Photo by Van Brinson
The High Ground Team recognizes the hard workof organizations that help veterans & families.
Our goal in highlighting them is to affirm:No one has to travel alone.
For help planning your screening, contactKanani through email or message her
via our Facebook page.
High Ground Parter Update, January 2013
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Help Wanted!
Making it to the top of Mt Lobuche as a team!
