We flew into the gravel pit in the early morning hours. As our Chinook touched ground, two Red Bull Soldiers greeted and escorted us to the two Black Hawk helicopters awaiting a MEDVAC. We walked by a few insurgents while in route, paying no mind to them as they smiled and waved. The terrain was a dinghy beige like most of Iraq. Looking around everything was exactly as I remembered it except one thing- the sky was a beautiful blue that I only saw a few times in Iraq, but see almost everyday in Minnesota. The reason - we were in Mankato, Minnesota and this was a movie set.
“Souvenirs” is a story about the relationship between a grandfather and his grandson. The grandfather Bud Vogel, played by James Cromwell, is a World War II vet that collected souvenirs while deployed and saved them in a footlocker. His grandson, Kyle Vogel, played by Jonathan Bennett, finds the footlocker and after some time persuades his grandfather to explain three of the stories attached to the souvenirs. The story tells of Bud’s experiences during World War as part of the 82nd Airborne. It also focus’ on Kyle’s experiences as a squad leader deployed to Iraq with the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division and how he uses the lessons he learned from his grandfather. The movie is about the intensity of war, the challenges of true leadership, and the importance of passing down wisdom through the generations.
The Department of Defense and the Minnesota National Guard are providing their full support for the film, including authenticity suggestions and military equipment. On Saturday, Brig. Gen. David Elicerio and Command Sgt. Maj. Doug Julin visited the set. Elicerio was commander and Julin was the Command Sgt. Maj. of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division during their deployment to Iraq. In the movie Kyle Vogel plays a squad leader during that 16 month deployment. Elicerio and Julin were on set to provide guidance on authenticity.
The Minnesota National Guard is pleased to support this unprecedented opportunity. This is the first movie to showcase the Minnesota National Guard. “It is a great for the Minnesota National Guard and the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division to be portrayed in an accurate and historical context” said Lt. Col. Kevin Olson, who was on site that day. “The movie shows our Soldiers’ sacrifices and dedication to our country.” There are also many Soldiers from the Minnesota National Guard serving as extras in the movie.
The movie also stars Jackson Bond, 14, as the young Kyle Vogel. Bond is from Lino Lakes, Minn. The director of the movie is Minnesota resident Sam Fischer and the producer is Craig Christianson from Rosemount, Minnesota. Christianson said, “To say we are passionate about the subject matter of this film is an understatement. We believe ‘Souvenirs’ will be a tribute to all of our veterans, past, present and future.” The movie is being produced by Minnesota based 7th Sense Films, LLC. “Souvenirs” started filming last week and will continue to be shot throughout 2010, wrapping up in early 2011. The producers expect to release the movie in 2012.
By Spc. Johnny Angelo
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
24 July, 2010
