'Last Ounce of Courage' Makes Debut on Patriot Day; Filmmakers Give Tickets to Military
A film company plans to honor military men and women during commemoration of the 9/11 tragedies on Patriot Day by showing an advanced screening of "Last Ounce of Courage" on Tuesday and giving tickets to veterans and active military in 28 select cities.
"Patriot Day is a time of remembrance for those who lost their lives on 9/11 as well as the brave men and women who continue to do so in the war on terror," said Director Kevin McAfee ("Beyond the Gates of Splendor," "The End of the Spear"). "We believe 'Last Ounce of Courage' encourages individuals to keep in mind the history that has shaped our country and not forsake the sacrifice of our brave military men and women."
Producers of the fictional movie about a mayor fighting a religious freedom battle in his own small town that mirrors the real-life culture wars in the U.S. have also launched a social media campaign in hopes of starting a movement in support of liberty.
"'Last Ounce of Courage' is more than a movie with heart, it cries out for freedom and brings awareness to the issue that our personal liberties are slowly being threatened and questioned," McAfee said. "While the film is bipartisan, it reminds us that it's our personal rights as Americans that bring us together, and we must join in sending an important message about freedom to our nation's leaders during this critical election season."
Veritas Entertainment plans to release "Last Ounce of Courage" nationwide Sept. 14. The production company describes the movie as a powerful intergenerational story of a grieving father inspired by his grandson to take a stand for what's right against a tide of apathy and vanishing liberty. Amid a backdrop of military conflict abroad and domestic wars against freedom, a highly decorated combat veteran is reminded that we best honor our fallen heroes by holding dear to what they gave their all to defend.
A portion of all Patriot Day ticket sales will be donated to the Warriors for Freedom Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and improving mental, physical and holistic services for our nation's active military, veterans and their families.
The ticket giveaway will be available through Salem Radio, says Veritas Entertainment, although no other details were given at press time.
"This is a film about courage and character, traits that our brave military possess and on which they act every day in order to protect our nation," said Veritas Entertainment President and CEO Steve Griffin. "We hope 'Last Ounce of Courage' can serve as a reminder that freedom isn't free – even here in the U.S., where apathy all too often leads to an erosion of our personal liberties."
Filmmakers hope the movie serves "not only as a source of entertainment, but more significantly stirs up important conversations."
In conjunction with the release of the film, the producers have launched StandUSA, "an unprecedented social broadcasting platform in assembling individuals, national and local organizations and thought leaders into an integrated community for expressing and sharing values."
The production company has implemented StandUSA as a Facebook community that "provides a place where Americans can find like-minded citizens and advocate for the freedoms they hold dear."
The movie premieres nationally in more than 500 theaters on Tuesday and opens at more than 1,200 screens Sept. 14. To find theaters hosting a Patriot Day showing of "Last Ounce of Courage," visit http://www.lastouncethemovie.com and click on "Patriot Day Premiere."