Veterans Benefit "Greatest Generation" Movie Slated May 30 at State Theater
Acclaimed Detroit Film to Highlight Event Honoring Vets of All Wars
February 14, 2010
By: Dave Rogers
An acclaimed film honoring the "Greatest Generation" of the World War II era is coming to Bay City.
An acclaimed film honoring the "Greatest Generation" of the World War II era is coming to Bay City.
The film, produced by celebrity film-maker Keith Famie of Visionalist Entertainment Productions, Wixom, has been obtained by special permission for a one-time showing here to benefit local veterans.
The 90 minute film highlights Detroit's and Michigan's role as the "Arsenal of Democracy." The film drew about 4,000 people to the Fox Theater in Detroit last December to benefit the Michigan Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans and the Yankee Air Museum. It also was featured on Detroit television stations.
Saginaw musician Stewart Francke, now living in Huntington Woods, played at the Detroit event. As a leukemia and bone marrow cancer survivor, he had raised more than $200,000 for his Stewart Francke Leukemia Foundation that donates to national organizations and the Fields Neurological Institute in Saginaw.
Tickets at $20 each will be available soon for the local showing at the State Theater at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30, the day before Memorial Day. Sponsorships also are sought from businesses and organizations.
Among veterans featured in the film is Marine Sgt. Christine Gavrila, a native of Detroit, who has lived in Bay City since the 1950s. She and her late husband, Octavian Gavrila, operated Tony's Amusement Park and the Roll Air Rink. (See "WWII Marine Sgt. Christine Gavrila, 88, Featured in Detroit Documentary," MyBayCity.com, Jan. 15, 2010.)
Sgt. Gavrila and other veterans representing the various wars in the nation's recent history will be introduced at the film showing. Also on hand will be re-enactors representing the Civil War, Spanish-American and World War I.
Funds are needed to supplement the emergency fund of the Bay County Veterans Council, according to Art Schupack, counselor and service officer. The emergency fund is nearly depleted because of added needs of veterans who don't qualify for the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Fund, headed by John DeJohn, that is funded by the county.
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"The numbers of veterans in need is going up, especially those from Iraq, Afghanistan, Desert Storm and other recent conflicts," said County Commissioner Vaughn Begick, who was a medic in Viet Nam. "Of course the economy is the main problem with many vets unable to find work to support themselves and their families."
The Bay County Veterans Council tries to help homeless veterans and others who need emergency funds to pay for rent, food, heat, lights, water and other expenses. "A rising number of vets are falling through the cracks and are not eligible for other funding," he said.
Besides support and counseling, the Bay County Veterans Council maintains the veterans memorial at the county building, provides honor guards at funerals and erects flags at graves of veterans on Memorial Day. It coordinates the extensive Memorial Day ceremonies at each cemetery in Bay County when squads of veterans conduct salutes and read tributes.
The council is supported by donations from the various organizations of former service men and women.
Committee members so far involved in organizing the film include Ms. Gavrila, Dolores Maillette, Mr. Begick, Mr. Schupack, Mr. DeJohn, Jim Hollerbach, Paul Drzyzga, Jerry Pergande and members of the 7th Michigan Cavalry Civil War Round Table, Dave and Dolores Rogers, Mike Bacigalupo of the State Theater, Denny Hayes, Keith Markstrom and Dee Dee Wacksman. Anyone interested is welcome to join the effort by calling 686-5544.
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