Veterans Day Programming on KCET Spotlights the Challenges of Transitioning to the Homefront
Press Contact:
JP Shields
(747) 201 - 5886
jpshields@kcet.org
Broadcast Premiere of ROADTRIP NATION: THE NEXT MISSION Salutes Service Members As They Reintegrate Into Society
Burbank, Calif. – Nov. 2, 2016 – KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station, announced today the programming schedule for Veterans Day (Nov. 11) exploring the history of war and the healing of veterans. The line-up includes the broadcast television premiere of ROADTRIP NATION: THE NEXT MISSION airing at 7:30 p.m. which follows the cross-country journey of three recent veterans — Sam Shockley, Helen Chandler and Bernard Edwards — as they seek out fellow service members to ask them how they have successfully reintegrated into the workforce.
Related programming content will be telecast as follows:
HEALING THE WARRIOR’S HEART - Fri., Nov. 11 at 11:30 a.m. PT
Examining the emotional trauma of war through the prism of Native American tradition and ceremony, the documentary reveals the central role that military service plays in Native life and explores the spiritual traditions that help returning soldiers transition into society. These traditions hold lessons for the nation as we seek to bring comfort and healing to veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
ARTBOUND “Fallujah: Art, Healing and PTSD” – Fri., Nov. 11 at 12:30 p.m. PT
USMC Sergeant Christian Ellis was a machine gunner in Iraq, whose platoon was ambushed, leaving him with a broken back and only one of a few survivors. Ellis returned home to join millions of Americans who struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder. Ellis inspired the first opera about the Iraq war with a score composed by Tobin Stokes, a libretto by Iraqi-American Heather Raffo, and produced by the Long Beach Opera. This documentary takes us behind the curtain of the opera and explores how the experience of war is transformed into a work of art.
FALLUJAH – Fri., Nov. 11 at 1:30 p.m.
KCET will host a special rebroadcast of FALLUJAH, produced by the Long Beach Opera under the direction of Artistic and General Director Andreas Mitisek, FALLUJAH is a modern opera inspired by the real-life story of United States Marine Corp Sergeant Christian Ellis whose platoon was ambushed and bombed, killing many of his fellow soldiers and leaving him with a broken back. With the encouragement and support of philanthropist Charles Annenberg Weingarten, Ellis collaborated with Iraqi-American playwright Heather Raffo to transform his demons into a work of art aimed at shining a light on the aftermath of war, PTSD, and the fragility of life. With a score composed by Tobin Stokes, FALLUJAH is an adrenaline-fueled lyrical opera, in which poignant melodies soar against driving rhythms and threads, ranging from electric guitar to Iraqi oud.
The opera was underwritten by Explore.org and initially aired live on KCET in March 2016. FALLUJAH was directed by Emmy Award® winning television producer/director Kenneth Shapiro (The Academy Awards® and The Grammy Awards®).
SEARCHING FOR HOME: COMING BACK FROM WAR – Fri., Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. PT
This documentary is an emotional and unflinching look at returning veterans and their search for the “home” they left behind –- physically, mentally and spiritually. From World War II, Korea and Vietnam to modern-day conflicts, SEARCHING FOR HOME: COMING BACK FROM WAR is a multigenerational documentary that honors the men and women who have served on behalf of the country, only to return to new and difficult challenges as profoundly changed people.
The film explores the harrowing effects of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on military families when veterans return from combat, spanning from World War II to Afghanistan. Built on the pillars of “The Truth, The Healing and The Hope,” SEARCHING FOR HOME is an emotional and unflinching look at returning veterans and their search for the “home” they left behind physically, mentally, and spiritually.
ROADTRIP NATION: THE NEXT MISSION - Fri., Nov. 11 at 7 p.m. PT
The documentary follows three recent veterans as they journey cross-country to seek out fellow service members who have successfully transitioned into the workforce. Each veteran has a different background and set of challenges. But they all share a common hurdle: after spending their lives defined by their military identity, they wonder who they’ll be when the uniform is gone. From interviews with fitness entrepreneur Derek Weida, to skincare line founder Nicole Baldwin, author and businessman Robert Kiyosaki, and many more, the road-trippers discover that the skills cultivated in the military aren’t relegated to the battlefield; they can be translated to any number of exciting jobs.
Join the conversation on social media using #VETERANS
ABOUT KCET
On-air, online and in the community, KCET plays a vital role in the cultural and educational enrichment of Southern and Central California. KCET offers a wide range of award-winning local programming as well as the finest public television programs from around the world. Throughout its 50-year history, KCET has won hundreds of major awards for its local and regional news and public affairs programming, its national drama and documentary productions, its quality educational family and children's programs, its outreach and community services and its website, kcet.org. KCET is a donor-supported community institution. For additional information about KCET productions, web-exclusive content, programming schedules and community events, please visit kcet.org. KCET is a part of the KCETLink Media Group. Select original programming from KCET is also available for streaming on Hulu, Apple TV and Roku platforms.
