About 7.3 percent of all living Americans have served in the military at some point in their lives. Appreciate those who served with a slate of special programming from KLRU.
On Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7:30 p.m., learn how creative experiences can help heal military with post-traumatic stress during Arts in Context In Their Words: Songwriting With Soldiers. The recovery process for active duty US soldiers and veterans can seem out of reach, at times leading to attempted suicide and death. Follow how one group of volunteers and professional songwriters work with soldiers to offer an immersive retreat for them to write songs about their military experience and even a chance at healing.
Then, a special Central Texas Gardener Taking Care of Trees airs Saturday, Nov. 7 at noon and 4 p.m. This program includes a healing warriors garden at Fort Sam Houston. It’s a story that features the Warrior and Family Support System gardens at Fort Sam Houston. Emotional, powerful, encouraging stories about a beautiful garden designed for healing warriors, including burn patients.
Independent Lens returns with its season premiere, Stray Dog, Monday, Nov. 9 at 9 p.m. This portrait of a veteran is at once a powerful look at the vet experience, a surprising love story, and a fresh exploration of what it takes to survive in the heartland of America.
Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m., Iwo Jima: From Combat To Comrades goes back 70 years to the battle of Iwo Jima, near the end of World War II. Today, Iwo Jima is the only battlefield in the world that sees former enemies come together in peace, and we see both American and Japanese veterans meet in this film.
A moving tribute to the history of disabled veterans, Debt of Honor: Disabled Veterans in American History takes an unflinching look at the reality of warfare and disability. Combined with a deep history as narrated by leading scholars in the fields of disability studies, history and psychology, the film illustrates the human cost of war and sacrifices of military service. The documentary airs Tuesday, November 10 at 8 p.m.
Then, Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10 p.m., Arts in Context In Their Words: Songwriting With Soldiers (again!) offers insight into the not-so-different worlds of soldiers and civilians. Darden Smith had never had a real conversation with a U.S. military service member until he met Lt. Col. Fred Cale. He quickly realized that they had much in common – both were music lovers. He saw the potential for music and songwriting to help soldiers transition back into civilian life. Songwriting With Soldiers offers intensely immersive retreats to military veterans and active duty soldiers where they write songs about their experiences with the help of professional songwriters.
Each week, retirees from Georgetown, TX, give heartfelt thank yous to soldiers reporting for duty at Fort Hood as well as those injured in combat. Tuesday, Nov. 10 at 10:30 p.m., documentary Operation Appreciation, accentuated by stunning imagery of America s largest military base, follows the volunteers as they collect cookies, brownies and doughnuts from local stores, and baked goods made by people in the community to distribute at the Army base.
Finish Veteran’s Day celebrations with StoryCorps‘ Military Voices shorts, schedule to be announced. The features will honor our military families and civilians.
In 1st Squad, 3rd Platoon: Marine L. Cpl. Travis Williams remembers the day he lost his entire squad to an IED attack and shares how that event shaped his life.
The Last Viewing: Allen Hoe tells the story of a chance encounter with a stranger who knew his son, Army Lst Lt. Nainoa K. Hoe.
