On Friday, April 15 from 6 to 9 pm, South Broadway Cultural Center will host Albuquerque-based The Museum of the American Military Family and Learning Center, a Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Partner, to bring a special screening of the documentary, The Stray Dog.
The screening is in honor of the upcoming 2016 Run for the Wall, a motorcycle run involving thousands of participants that travel across the U.S.A. to promote healing among ALL veterans and their families and friends, to call for an accounting of all Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action (POW/MIA), to honor the memory of those Killed in Action (KIA) from all wars, and to support our military personnel all over the world.
Returning home to the U.S. after his second tour in Vietnam, Ronnie "Stray Dog" Hall discovered what tens of thousands of Vietnam-era vets learned; they were not welcomed back with open arms, but often with hostility. His response was to do an 11-year tour in Korea, where, to his surprise, he was accepted and liked. He married, started a family and returned to the U.S. to find that life was not always smooth. Battling his demons and trying to be a good man who loves his family led to greater understanding of the forces that helped shape his life as he tries to help others.
First-time documentary director Debra Granik follows Hall through his day-to-day life as we learn what shaped him and share his joys and sorrows. The film takes a hard, firsthand look at the failings of government toward those who have fought for the United States, but it finds abundant hope in veterans like Hall and the community they have formed.
Operation Footlocker, a program of the Museum of the American Military Family that creates themed military footlockers featuring items donated by military families,is creating a very special Memorial Footlocker honoring men and women service members who have passed on. Guests are encouraged to bring mementos honoring a loved one to become a permanent part of this tribute to America's heroes.
Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated and will be shared between MAMF and local RFTW activities.
South Broadway Cultural Center is managed by the Cultural Services Department, City of Albuquerque, Richard J. Berry, Mayor. The unique architecture and colorful design of the building's exterior is an attraction in the area. SBCC shares the facility with the South Broadway Library and collaborates with the library on a number of events and activities. There is free parking immediately adjacent to the facility.
For more information on events and activities at SBCC, visit cabq.gov/sbcc or call 311.