Big band music wafted through the air Wednesday night at the Premier of the Movie Memorial Day. The red carpet affair started at the K-State campus Dog Tags Memorial, and then moved on into McCain Theater for the main movie event.
Memorial Day director Sam Fischer says the initial idea for the movie came from a footlocker full of World War II memoribilia found in a house that was about to be demolished. The stories from the man who left the locker were never going to be told.
The movie features Oscar nominated James Cromwell, and his son John Cromwell. James Cromwell plays a grandfather whose grandson finds a footlocker full of souvenirs from World war II in an old barn on the farm. The grandson then makes a deal with his grandfather to tell the story of 3 items from the collection.
John Cromwell plays the part of the grandfather as a lieutenant during World war II, and he says it was simply a part he couldn’t pass up.
Fischer believes the message of sharing the experiences of war with family and friends will resonate with today’s audience. Many generations of soldiers have fought in wars, and now are able to support each other and open up to their family and peers.
Fischer hopes people remember that the Memorial day holiday can be something more meaningful if you do reach out and engage veterans to share their experiences.
