On June 19th, DAV is sponsoring a Capitol Hill screening of Service: When Women Come Marching Home, co-produced by Marcia Rock and Patricia Lee Stotter, hosted by the Chairwoman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Patty Murray. We will show a 15-20 minute version of the film followed by a Q&A with the producers and all the women veterans in the film. Full screening later that night on Capitol Hill.

And thank you to all the courageous women responsible for making any of this possible: the wonderful female veterans in our face book groups and in our film…Without you, nothing. You are all moving mountains. You are the heart and breath of SERVICE.

Thank you.

Patty and Marcia

THANK YOU DENISE!! Your email says it all…Marcia and I are both so moved by your words…the world needs more women like you…

!! Patty AKA Dee Bernard, working SERVICE dog, on Face Book (where I posted this with my big fat paws)

Hello
I saw this video on April 20, 2012 in Boston. I am the Women Veteran Program Manager, Nurse Practitioner at Bedford VA and a LTC in the Army Reserve. I have deployed twice and found this Documentary so real and brought tears to my eyes. I took the position at the VA because the women Veteran is a new culture to the male culture usually seen at the VA. I am working hard to change the culture and educate those who have no idea what women do in the military and further—the number of women in the military. I would like to show this film to the Leadership Board of Bedford who comprise all executives, Nurse Directors, and VISN Director, Dr. Mayo-Smith. When working to change the culture, I need those who are having a hard time “engaging” in Women Veteran Healthcare to have a better idea what the female Veteran has experience. I have heard more leaders say” why does a female need a separate waiting room-they don’t do that at Lahey clinic, which is a public clinic.. You leave your Documentary with the true sense of what war is about and how change happens in a split second! Women Veteran Healthcare is a major goal of all VA’s now, since we offer ALL women specialty careJ How may I get or pay for a copy to be seen only here at a meeting program I want to put together? I am also in the planning stage of putting together a state wide Women Veteran Health Fair to all those who have deployed and to let them know what benefits are available to them. Again, this was one of the greatest Documentaries I have seen—Thank You

Denise Koutrouba, MS, PHN, WHNP-BC
Women Veteran Program Manager/NP
VA Medical Center
200 Springs Road, Building 9, Room 106
Bedford MA. 01730-1198

New Film Explores Challenges Facing Disabled Women Veterans

Alexis wants to get off painkillers. Mariette jumps at loud noises. BriGette won’t leave her home. Lashonna does not have one. Female soldiers who served as drivers and gunners in today’s frontless wars are bringing home physical and invisible injuries. SERVICE follows these women as they struggle to find out who they are now. SERVICE: When Women Come Marching Home is a multi-platform documentary that follows returning female service members and longtime veterans as they deal with readjusting back into civilian culture and their physical and psychological wounds such as limb amputation, military sexual trauma, service dogs and so much more.

An award-winning team of Director, Marcia Rock and Composer, Patricia Lee Stotter, brilliantly take you deep into the lives of several female veterans ranging in service times of the 1990’s to the current war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan by following these women over a two-and-a-half-year time span.

The idea for the film was born when the two women met while working on a film about women in Africa. Stotter had been working with veterans on a variety of projects in New York City and Rock was researching disability issues on whether the U.S. was ready for all of the wounded warriors who were returning permanently disabled by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). When they realized they had a mutual interest, they decided to create a film and cross platform project about disabled veterans whose transition from active duty had been eased with the help of service dogs.

Rock and Stotter have been joined at the hip since beginning this venture. A huge shift in their focus came when they met Sue Downes and Alexis Courneen, female veterans with amazing stories of triumph and heartache. Rock and Stotter quickly realized that female veterans had unique issues, injuries and insights into their military experience, compared to those of their male counterparts. They also became increasingly aware about the lack of gender-specific support and care for these women and noticed their stories of triumph and tragedy were rarely covered by the national press that is except for the occasional report on Military Sexual Trauma (MST). So much of their stories are about the bond of sisterhood under duress and under attack.They immediately set up a website (www.servicethefilm.com) and Facebook group so they could network with veterans and truly understand the issues these women were facing first- hand, while providing an interactive peer-to-peer support group and outreach avenue for women vets.

The details of the film will start to become clear when you visit their website. You can watch the videos and listen to podcast interviews with women veterans, psychologicalists and dog trainers. Trailers about each veteran are available as well as links to resources and all kinds of information designed to support female service members, veterans, as well as being a resource for their families, friends and communities.

The documentary shows the challenges of these vets, but also the women’s resourcefulness. Alexis and Sue get service dogs and new legs; Mariette and Alicia go to college; BriGette finds community online; and Lashonna gets off the streets and into a home. Two of the vets confide in each other the horror and damage of the most pernicious issue facing one out of three women who have served: Military Sexual Trauma. Through their intimate conversation, we experience their horrific abuse up close and personal. The film and the veterans address how difficult it often is for women to find safety and a support system within the male dominated military culture, especially when at war. All of the

women move on, not getting over their physical and hidden disabilities, but by finding ways to live with them.

We are with these women when they go to therapy, to class, to the VA and when they are refused service because they have a service dog. We visit a functioning VA women’s clinic in Seattle and follow our women all the way to Capitol Hill (Washington, DC) where they advocate for the rights of all veterans.

The film is starting to be screened now. We are eager to have anyone interested in seeing it contact the producers at www.servicethefilm.com.

This work is a delicately balanced portrayal of our women warriors’ battles and victories over insurmountable odds…a must see!” —Lourdes Alvarado-Ramos, Deputy Director, Washington State Dept. of Veteran Affair.

So for anyone who doesn’t know the Film was Screened at the Buffalo VA today and I was fortunate enough to attend … and speak and answer questions. Marcia Rock and Patricia Stotter you both got rave reviews from everyone there and they enjoyed each portion of the film very much. I think it was beautiful and tasteful and it put an eye on several of the issues facing the woman of the military. I am honored to be grouped with such an amazing group of women!  … I think there should be more of these events throughout the VA in general for woman to know what is available for them. …♥♥♥♥ Emotional but Beautiful day. —Alicia Thompson, Vet

There were 50 women Veterans & also about 25 VA & community staff attending at the Buffalo Premiere and no one moved during the entire documentary, we could hear sobbing & tissues being passed and everyone was glued to the screen….at the end there was clapping but no one left and the discussion groups didn’t move even when I announced the door prize winners. The documentary brought home the emotional trauma of war and what our women Veterans have to deal  with on a daily basis, once they come home.  Thank you so very much for your work in bringing this special documentary to us!— Jill B. LaMantia RN MSN NP, Buffalo Women Veterans Program Manager

To the women in this documentary: Thank you from the bottom of my heart for allowing yourselves to be chronicled this way. You are all my heroes. During the viewing, in Albany, N.Y., we were ALL DEEPLY MOVED. And to the producers … what remarkable women you are — words cannot express. You are not veterans, yet you’ve created this remarkable work from a place of intelligence, integrity and love. Thank you both … ♥Thank you all … ♥— Colleen Bushnell, VET

Without doubt the most powerful film I’ve ever seen about Women Veterans with PTSD. SERVICE covers it all. Women in combat. Women with chronic pain. Women who suffered MST. It tears you to pieces to watch it and restores your soul … all at the same time. It’s a documentary about hope. It’s the best film you haven’t seen yet. Tell your VA therapists about it. Tell everyone you know about… it. Let’s get this film distributed and in the public eye where it belongs.— Wendi Goodman, wearyvet.com

I am overwhelmed by reading the material on the website and viewing the video. I definitely want to have you and your colleague lead a discussion following the screening of the film.  …Like me, I am sure there are many who do not yet recognize the challenges women have faced in the military nor what they contend with once they leave. Thank you for the important work you are doing in bringing to the forefront the women veterans’ voices, experiences, and untold, until now, stories.— Dean Henry Villareal of the College of San Mateo

Amy and I just finished screening the film now.  Overall, a very thoughtful film that provides a glimpse into the minds of women who have served and their challenges as they transition back into civilian life.  You both did a great job in capturing each of the women’s very personal stories, related to physical disabilities, post-deployment mental health issues, impact on family and marriages, PTSD, services dogs, homelessness and MST.— Joy Ilem, Disable American Veterans

I just finished watching the film.  It is astounding.  The breadth and depth of it is wonderful.  You really get to know these women, understand where they are in their lives and why.  … They all worked to give me a strong sense of place for each of the women - while in service, seeking assistance, living their lives.  The most shocking element for me was the sense that even the married women with supportive husbands and children are still so very much alone.  Alexis and Sue seemed happier/more comfortable/more assured with their dogs than with their families.— Cathy Brookshire, Scholar, Oral History film,”Soldier Girl”

I just finished watching the film. It’s pretty overwhelming, on many levels: the courage of the women in service and once they have left the military; the horrific traumas the women face while in the military (especially rape and sexual assault); the inadequate care the women receive on return, despite the clear dedication of many health professionals; the large and small accomplishments the women work mightily to achieve. All of the stories are compelling, deeply moving, but Sue Downes has the most haunted and haunting pair of eyes I have ever seen. … It is indeed inspiring. — Paul Genega, Poet

 Tonight I sit here with tears in my eyes, after watching your documentary for the past hour.  It is very poignant. It is a beautiful tribute that profiles these amazing Warriors and the challenges they faced as young women just wanting to serve their country.  As they continue to face life on its terms the strength and perseverance they demonstrate as they forge new paths to live their lives to the fullest is so heartwarming.  I have heard similar stories in my office, I have seen their despair as they do their best to set their sails on a new journey.  As they struggle with the fact their innocence was stripped from them, their careers destroyed, and their dreams shattered at the hands of another.  These women are so inspiring, and I am sure they will touch many lives by bringing this out in the open, NO MORE SECRETS!  Thank you so much for doing such lovely work in order to heighten our awareness as a community and encourage our participation in order to hold our Warriors in reverence and honor. — Bridget Cantrell, PTSD Specialist

…You 2 have managed to “marry” hell and triumph into the most beautiful thing I have seen and heard in a very long time.— Christina Roof, Veteran Advocate

Our wonderful friend and member of our Board of Advisors, Dr. Bridget Cantrell…here she is doing her wonderful work

http://www.ftleavenworthlamp.com/news/x950636716/PTSD-expert-works-with-military-families

And our face book groups, with the help of veteran advocate Kathleen Hoffman, have lifted two women out of despair and alienation and into the supportive embrace of women who have been there, seen that, know how to work the labyrinth of benefits and legal protection. In a matter of 30 minutes, our sisternet was there for these women who are now on the road to getting their benefits, have their rights protected and getting the service they deserve.

This is what it is all about. 

Thank you all.

We are Marching

New York State has embraced us.  Joanne Yepsen, from our board of advisors, is supporting us in a big way. She is hosting a screening/fundraiser in Albany and helping us find funding to have a state-wide tour. The Stratton Va, the Buffalo Va and others are using our film with female veterans, as well as showing it to celebrate the openings of their women’s clinics. Also in Albany, Service is being featured at a big conference about trauma and healing: Weaving a World Without Violence, NYSCASA’s statewide conference on sexual violence prevention and intervention. 

There are many other screenings in the planning stages for California, DC, Atlanta and Boston— and many large veteran organizations are reaching out to us.

It feels like the beginning of a big grass roots distribution. Our board of advisors is really helping us. We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Bridget Cantrell is going to write our guidebook with contributions from Christina Roof and several of our vets. It doesn’t get a whole lot better than that. We are so honored.

And, as always, grateful to you—remarkable women marching forward…we are building a team to support you.

Patty and Marcia 

Yup!

It has been holidays, grant proposals and moving along…

latest update: Marcia and I are meeting with good friends of every part of this project…NY Staters who are unfolding great retreats for you…we will be a part of those retreats…we are beginning to grow this kind of non-commercial distribution nationally…it’s all about the healing…from all kinds of injuries…

Now that all the great organizations, great articles, great films are starting to get out there and get attention focused on your issues…really  moving mountains, I want say again that this is all because of YOU.

Your COURAGE.

Your STAMINA.

Your GRACE.

Your COURAGE,  

made all this happen. 

More than thanks,

Patty

Rep. Jackie Speier, we salute you. 

I was  with Terri Odom to support her through this important event. It was an honor to meet so many of our face book friends face to face in real time…over dinner, at the news conference, and at lunch after.

Courageous survivors who speak out…you are the reason this issue has come, at long last, into the light.—brave men and women  continue to serve us all.

Many thanks,

Patty

click below to watch the press conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_TyI9yn8zQ

NYC  private screening post parade…audience mostly civilian with a proud contingent of vets with service dogs…Mariette with us and Sue there via skype ..Holly Fancher in the audience radiating the same glow she does in the film…..cannot convey how deeply moved everyone was and how, without exception, they said they were were not just moved by the challenges female veterans face, but that they came away feeling hopeful, optimistic…I believe that all of you, our women veterans, through your small and huge achievements, are moving mountains…for all of us. 

Salute!

and love,

P

I have been thinking about what to say to all of you on Veterans Day. I have nothing to say but that I admire you and I love you. You deserve more than a parade and a holiday, you deserve SERVICE…now that you have marched home, or been medivaced home, or been cruelly assaulted and then discharged home. We are having a private screening in NYC today.  That is how we are observing this day in your honor. The stories that you and the women in our film tell speak volumes: stories of strong women who have had to struggle to survive…you radiate the triumph of love over betrayal. So, thank you… for many things, in particular, the honor of your company. 

I have just returned from a day at Slippery Rock University, organized by Mike Crum, a Marine vet, that was wonderful. I went with Kim and her service dog, Toby. In addition to screening, we met so many wonderful people…special thanks to Mike for bringing together the women’s studies dept., the sociology department, local VA representatives, and many students whose consciousness he wanted to see be raised. It was a great event and Mike is the kind of man who represents the best of the veteran community. A true advocate…I mean, WOW, Mike brought a film about women veterans to his school!

A salute to you!

Patty