Story Behind The Story
In 2015, while my mother was recovering in a respite center after foot surgery, an unexpected encounter planted the seed for a future documentary film. Sitting in the common area, I met a World War II veteran who captivated me with his stories. For over an hour, I was engrossed in his tales of courage and sacrifice, feeling an overwhelming urge to one day honor these heroes through film. Although his name escapes me now, the impact of that conversation lingered.
Fast forward to 2017, I was immersed in producing my first documentary, "Plymouth Michigan, A Rich History." During one of our shoots, I met Russ Ash, a gentleman whose stories about Plymouth quickly led us to learn about his naval service in WWII. Inspired by his willingness, I asked, "Russ, would you be open to participating in my next film, which pays tribute to you and all the men and women who served?" His enthusiastic yes marked the beginning of a new chapter.
By November 2019, I felt the pressing need to start this new project. The mission was clear: to create a film distinct from previous WWII documentaries, focusing on personal stories of veterans and the war's impact on their lives. The journey began with hope and faith, despite the financial hurdles such a project presented.
We began our interviews with Russ Ash on December 19, 2019, followed by four more veterans over the next month. With enough footage, we developed a trailer and laid the groundwork with a detailed business plan, treatment and budget. However, the onset of COVID-19 in early 2020 brought a halt to our production efforts. Despite this setback, we persisted. In the spring & summer of that year by fine tuning our sizzle reel and securing a letter of intent from Detroit PBS, with interest from the History Channel as well.
We were able to capture two interviews during 2021, but many living facilities did not want a big film crew around their residents during the pandemic. Finally, in April 2022 when things settled down regarding Covid, we resumed interviews with veterans and "Rosies," the women who supported the war effort from the home front. Over the next 12 months, we interviewed an additional 19 individuals to help tell the story of our Greatest Generation.
As of March 2025, we've completed interviews with 23 veterans, 2 Rosie the Riveters, 9 children of veterans, and other significant figures. Our travels have taken us to North Carolina, Washington DC, and Ohio, with plans to visit Omaha Beach in Normandy and the National WWII Museum in New Orleans.
The vision for this documentary is clear: to create an inspiring, informative, and educational film that honors the heroes of WWII for generations to come. Through the personal stories we've captured, I hope to convey the profound impact of the war and ensure that the legacy of the Greatest Generation endures.