ARKANSAS CITY — As part of the Veterans Day celebration at Cowley College, Staff Sergeant Justin Smith served as the featured speaker during the screening of Citizen Soldier. The screening took place Friday, November 9 in the Earle N. Wright Community Room and was open to the public. The event was co-hosted by Cowley College and the Arkansas City High School student group organizing the Get Loud For Veterans celebration on the same day.
Light refreshments were served for those in attendance prior to a short presentation by Staff Sergeant Smith, who participated in the production of the film.
The film was also shown at Cowley College’s Mulvane Center, Wichita Center classroom, and Sumner Campus Innovation and Technology Center. Following the movie screening, attendees made their way to Arkansas City High School for an appreciation lunch. The event featured music and special presentations at the admission cost of $2. All proceeds will go to the Wounded Warriors Foundation.
Staff Sargent Justin Smith was a former member of Alpha Company 1/179 which is featured in the movie.
Cowley College marketing director Abby Hollins said the event was a way to honor our military services and provide a celebration for veterans in the community.
Citizen Soldier is a dramatic feature film, told from the point of view of a group of Soldiers in the Oklahoma Army National Guard’s 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, known since World War II as the “Thunderbirds.” Set in one of the most dangerous parts of Afghanistan at the height of the surge, it is a heart-pounding, heartfelt grunts’ eye-view of the war.
A modern day Band of Brothers, Citizen Soldier tells the true story of a group of young Soldiers and their life-changing tour of duty in Afghanistan, offering an excruciatingly personal look into modern warfare, brotherhood, and patriotism. Using real footage from multiple cameras, including helmet cams, these Citizen Soldiers give the audience an intimate view into the chaos and horrors of combat and, in the process, display their bravery and valor under the most hellish of conditions.
These Citizen Soldiers are patriotic men and women, one day working 9-to-5 jobs, the next day deploying to the front lines of war. One of them is Sgt. Eran Harrill – a born leader, devoted single father, and head of his local Chamber of Commerce. When Eran’s unit was called up, he deferred his education and deployed to fight for his country.
This is his story, but it is also the story of Citizen Soldiers everywhere — fighting America’s wars when called upon, building global partnerships when asked, and protecting the homeland at all costs.
There was no cost to attend the screening of Citizen Soldier.