In today’s episode, Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.), your host, is joined by Joshua Caldwell and Stephen Camelio. Joshua and Stephen are the director and writer of the new film Mending the Line. Joshua and Stephen discuss their new movie, which will be launched in theaters on June 9th, 2023. Mending the Line is the story of a marine who’s been wounded in Afghanistan and has now been sent to a VA facility in Montana, where he meets a Vietnam veteran who teaches him how to fly fish to deal with his emotional and physical trauma.

Key Takeaways:

[5:23] What brought Stephen to this particular subject?

[7:42] Joshua shares his motivation to get involved in the topic of veterans.

[10:10] Actual veterans participated in the movie; how could they contribute to the project?

[14:35] Stephen shares what surprised him during the research for the movie.

[16:02] Joshua speaks of their partnering with the marine.

[18:40] Joshua opens up about what surprised him about what it meant for a soldier to get wounded in war.

[22:11] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) highlights the character’s fear of losing his identity.

[22:52] Military is not the whole story; it is just a chapter.

[24:08] Being wounded is a forced exit from the military.

[25:43] Stephen talks about the research he did on PTSD.

[28:30] The movie shows the separation between Vietnam veterans and the post 9/11 and how they need each other to heal.

[32:50] Joshua talks about a particular character: Lucy.

[34:57] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) singles out the character who really connected with him.

[36:10] Stephen shares what he considers the best scene in the movie.

[37:33] Joshua clarifies it was never their intention to demonize the VA.

[40:21] Col. Sam Whitehurst (Ret.) discusses his favorite scene.

[43:55] What is next for Mending the Line?

Mentioned in this episode:

Dixon Center: Reaching America

At Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services, we believe our veterans and military families can succeed where they live.

Dixon Center is named after Staff Sergeant Donnie Dixon, who was killed in action on September 29, 2007, in Iraq. Staff Sergeant Dixon was a father, husband, and Soldier who always placed the mission first and the safety of his fellow Soldiers above his own. Dixon Center for Military and Veterans Services stands as a testament to his example and leadership.

Dixon Center on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Warriors and Quiet Waters

Tweetables and quotes:

“After recovering from a wound, you can feel that physically you are ready, but mentally, you are not, and the mental wounds are the dominating factor.”

“Military is not the whole story; it is just a chapter.”

“Five percent of active duty military actually see combat; still more than 50% experience PTSD.”

“We may not all experienced combat, but we all experience loss at some point in our lives.”