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Coco Warner ReportingThe Fourth of July is a natural time to reflect on our past and remember the men and women who fight for freedom. A new documentary takes a closer look at the war experiences of Latter-day Saints, from the past to the present.
You may already be familiar with the series, "Saints at War". It includes books and films that document the war experiences of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
We caught up with the filmmaker today; he's putting the finishing touches on the latest installment.
Commander Richard Miller, Kuwait, "Saints at War": "But the spirit, the spirit did bear witness to me a couple of days ago that I would bring my soldiers home."
From the deserts of the Perisan Gulf to the jungles of Vietnam, the newest production, called "Saints at War:Faithful Soldiers", follows Latter-day Saints who've been involved in at least a dozen conflicts.
Larry Chesley, Vietnam, "Saints at War": "I went through my initial torture sessions. I went through 21 days riding in the back of a truck over bombed out roads, with a broken back."
Ken Cromar,Director of "Saints at War: Faithful Soldiers": "I don't think that we can do enough to thank our veterans. That's why I think preserving their stories is really important."
Ken Cromar and his photographer just returned from Kuwait, and in a few days will head over to Japan, Korea and Vietnam. They continue to document these stories of faith and triumph.
Cromar says he's been especially impressed with the group of veterans from World War II, and wants to encourage everyone who knows a World War II vet to record those stories before they're lost forever.
Ken Cromar: "We are losing hundreds a day. You can open up the newspaper and see that. And their stories are going with them."
The sacrifice of soldiers really hits home at the Fort Douglas military cemetery, especially on a day like today.
Ken Cromar: "The 4th of July is a great day. It's a great day to shake the hand of a veteran especially, if you're really lucky, to shake the hand of a World War II veteran, because they're going fast."
Cromar says the documentary will debut in late October to help open an exhibit at the Harold B. Lee library on the Brigham Young University campus. It will showcase "Saints at War."
For more information on the film and how you can preserve stories from the veterans in your life visit the website www.SaintsAtWar.org.
