Documentary Film Exploring Epidemic of Veteran Suicides To Be Shown At Virginia War Memorial
The award-winning documentary film Thank You For Your Service will be shown Sunday afternoon, February 10 and Monday evening, February 11 at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond. Former U.S. Army Sergeant William Rodriguez, MSW, one four veterans featured in the film, will be at both screenings to participate in panel discussions following the presentation.
Admission to these showings is free and the public is encouraged to attend. Because of limited seating, pre-registration for free tickets is required. The Sunday, February 10 presentation will begin at 1 p.m., followed by the showing of the film at 2:15 p.m. and a panel discussion at 4 p.m. The Monday, February 11 presentation with begin at 6 p.m., followed by the showing of the film at 6:45 p.m. with a panel discussion at 8:15 p.m.
Thank You For Your Service is “a documentary by Tom Donohue that takes aim at the failed mental health policies within the U.S. military and their tragic consequences,” (http://www.thankyouforyourservicethefilm.com/). Donahue combines the stories of four struggling Iraq War veterans with candid interviews with top military and civilian leaders to examine the U.S. military’s mental health crisis.
Partners with the Virginia War Memorial in presenting this film and discussion are the Office of the Mayor of the City of Richmond and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Richmond Vet Center. The goal of the presentations is to raise awareness of the issue of suicide among veterans, their spouses and families as part of the Mayor’s Challenge and Governor’s Challenge to prevent these suicides.
To pre-register to attend and order tickets, click here . For more information, visit www.vawarmemorial.org or email Dr. Brian Meyer, Interim Associate Chief, Mental Health Services/Supervisor Psychologist at McGuire VA Medical Center at brian.meyer@va.gov.
The Virginia War Memorial is located at 621 South Belvidere Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220. Due to current expansion construction, parking is limited at the Memorial. Free parking will be available at the VHDA surface lot, 601 South Belvidere Street, and at the Afton Chemical Corporation lot at Belvidere and Spring Streets.
About VDVS
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) operates 32 benefit offices throughout the state that assist military veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; two long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, Alzheimer’s/memory care, and short-term rehabilitative care for veterans; and three cemeteries that provide an honored final resting place for veterans and their families. DVS provides veterans and family members with direct linkages to services including behavioral healthcare, housing, employment, education and other programs. The Department also operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s monument to honor the memory and sacrifice of Virginia’s men and women who served and fought to defend our way of life from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov .