"Arsenal of Democracy" Movie 2 p.m. Sunday at State Theatre to Benefit Vets
Film Made in Detroit to be Shown Here; World War II Vets Admitted Free
May 26, 2010
By: Dave Rogers
The much-heralded Detroit film, "Arsenal of Democracy: Our Greatest Generation," will be shown at the State Theatre here at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Tickets for the Greatest Generation film are available at the box office of the State Theatre daily and two hours before the performance on Sunday. Information is available by calling the theatre, 892-2660.)
The much-heralded Detroit film, "Arsenal of Democracy: Our Greatest Generation," will be shown at the State Theatre here at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 30.
World War II veterans are to be admitted free, according to Vaughn Begick, chairperson, and Christine Gavrila, honorary chairperson, of the fundraising event for veterans causes.
Sgt. Gavrila is featured in the film since she was a young Marine serving in the World War II era. She was assigned to an ordnance depot in Los Angeles and was instrumental in catching saboteurs who were stealing ammunition from the facility.
A native of Detroit, she later moved to Bay City with her late husband, Octavian Gavrila, and both worked in the education field.
Sgt. Gavrila will be among the World War II veterans honored at the event, which is a fundraiser for the depleted emergency fund for veterans through the Bay County Veterans Council.
Donations are being accepted through the State Theatre-Veterans Fund for the veterans emergency fund. The theatre is a non profit tax exempt organization.
A special guest will be MSgt. Kirk E. Timm, a World War II veteran who landed at Normandy and fought in the Battle of the Bulge and other major actions in France and Germany. Sgt. Timm was a member of the 330th Infantry of the 83rd Division in action in Europe from April 1944 to November 1945. A much-decorated soldier, he was recently awarded the Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honor award by the French government. Created by Napoleon, the award "is the highest honor that France can bestow upon those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France."
Ray Essenmacher, a Viet Nam War medic, heads the Bay County Veterans Council that is made up of seven veterans' organizations, the Viet Nam Veterans of America No. 494; American Legion Post 18, American Legion Post 294, AMVETS Post 22, Polish Legion of American Veterans No. 162, Military Order of the Purple Heart 519, and Veterans of Foreign Wars 6950.
"More and more veterans are homeless or without enough income to pay all their living expenses," said Mr. Essenmacher. "The Veterans Council uses this fund as a last resort after a veteran has exhausted all other avenues of support. Unfortunately we can aid only the most dire cases."
CD copies of this celebrated documentary film will be available for purchase at the theatre on the day of the film. Director of the film is Keith Famie, who is now in production on a film about the Viet Nam era.
###