Student Veterans of OU Host Film Screening to Honor Military, First Responders, Tonight

In collaboration with campus and community partners, the Oakland University student organization Student Veterans of OU (SVOU) is hosting a special event to spotlight heroic men and women in uniform.

"A Night to Honor to Our Military and First Responders" will take place at 7 p.m. tonight, Aug. 21, in room 156 North Foundation Hall on Oakland's campus. The event features a screening of the award-winning film "Lt. Dan Band: For the Common Good." Released in 2011, this award-winning documentary follows actor Gary Sinise and his band as they entertain troops, wounded warriors and first responders across the United States and abroad. The band is named after the character of Lt. Dan Taylor, whom Sinise portrayed in the 1994 blockbuster "Forrest Gump." The documentary has drawn praise from Hollywood mainstays such as Tom Hanks, Ron Howard and Jerry Bruckheimer and was listed by film critic Pop Bitez as the top documentary of 2011.

"We want to say thanks to all the men and women who voluntarily raise their hand and put on a uniform to keep us safe," said SVOU President Jason Hale. "Whether they're law enforcement, firefighter, EMT, military service or veteran, this night is to honor them. We're thrilled to have Jonathan Flora coming to screen his inspirational film about Gary Sinise and his band, and what they've done for those who serve."

The 12-member group, consisting of vocals, guitars, percussion, keyboards, violin trumpet and saxophone, is known for its high-energy shows, bringing its motto of "Honor. Gratitude. Rock & Roll" to military bases around the globe.

Jonathan Flora, director and producer of "Lt. Dan Band" will be a special guest at the event. A veteran of the U.S. Army 82nd Airborne Division and Ohio National Guard, Flora is a producer with Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and partner/president of Lamplight Entertainment, an independent production company he founded with his wife, Deborah. He received the inaugural Santini Patriot Spirit Award for his work on "Lt. Dan Band" and currently serves on the advisory board for the GI Film Festival, held annually in Wash. D.C. to honor American military members.

In addition to the film screening, emergency response vehicles from the Oakland University Police Department, as well as Rochester, Auburn Hills, Oakland County Sheriff's Department, the Veterans Administration and THE SALVATION Army will be on display in front of the Oakland Center, between North and South Foundation halls.

Refreshments will be provided by Firehouse Subs (Rochester and Tienken Road location), Buffalo Wild Wings and Jo'Angela's Pizza. Quicken Loans is the presenting sponsor of the event.

The event is free and open to the public. Seating is limited. A suggested donation of $10 will go to support OU's student veteran population. For more information, or to get tickets, contact Student Veterans of Oakland University at svou@oakland.edu.

For information on Oakland's Office of Veteran Support Services, visit oakland.edu/veterans.

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