To help raise awareness of PTS, Post-Traumatic Growth, and to build a civilian culture of understanding, the United War Veterans Council (UWVC), producer of the New York City Veterans Day Parade, has formed a partnership with the creators of music drama Modern Warrior, UWVC President Dan McSweeney announced today.
“We are honored to partner with Modern Warrior to help bring awareness to PTS while at the same time, recognizing the potential for growth in adversity,” said McSweeney. “This project is an ideal vehicle for educating the public about life in the military in an engaging way and shines a light on the hurdles facing veterans upon returning from service and transitioning to civilian life.”
Currently in the production and development phase, Modern Warrior is an autobiographical music drama of a soldier’s life in the military and transition home. Modern Warriorseeksto build bridges between veteran and civilian communities through live performances, collaborative workshops and panel discussions, in order to inform, entertain and inspire, while de-stigmatizing our veterans.
Staff Sergeant Jaymes Poling (co-creator of Modern Warrior) says, “By focusing on the relatable human experiences, we are able to build and strengthen commonalities between the civilian and veteran communities. This gives us a common starting point as we work to combat social implications of the PTS stigma, encourage communication between veterans and their loved ones and explore pathways to Post-Traumatic Growth.”
Narrated by Poling - who spent 36 months in Afghanistan as an infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division - with a musical score composed by trumpeter and co-creator Dominick Farinacci —- who served as the first Global Ambassador to Jazz at Lincoln Center under Wynton Marsalis — Modern Warriorcreates an accessible platform for civilians to gain a deeper understanding of veterans, while providing an introspective journey for veterans themselves.
Farinacci says, “Music is an expression of the human condition and has always been that common ground between communities. Bringing together a powerful story through the lens of music, we want to help develop a better informed and empathetic community, nurturing a deeper culture of support.”
Once the full on-stage production is complete, the creators plan to establish Modern Warriorresidenciesnationally at performing arts centers, schools, festivals, military bases (national and international), VFWs, and health centers, etc.; and are partnering with local and national veteran organizations, psychologists and arts and wellness programs to help provide concrete avenues of assistance for those in need.
As part of UWVC’s partnership with Modern Warrior, plans are in development to schedule a performance and a panel discussion to take place in New York City during Veterans Week. For further details visit www.modernwarriorlive.com or connect on Facebook at http://bit.ly/ModernWarriorLive; and to learn more about the United War Veterans Council, visit www.uwvc.org. A trailer for Modern Warrior can be viewed at http://www.modernwarriorlive.com/modern-warrior-preview.
About United War Veterans Council
The United War Veterans Council, Inc. (UWVC) is a 501-(c) (19) non-profit organization that honors and supports veterans and their families through advocacy, services, and sustainability programs. We produce the NYC Veterans Day Parade, the largest commemoration of service in the nation. Since our inception, the UWVC has been a non-political, non-partisan organization, with no agenda or purpose other than convening and mobilizing diverse communities to ensure government, the private sector, and the general public expand their support for veterans and their families. We represent the mosaic of the veterans’ community, encompassing veterans of all eras and backgrounds. www.uwvc.org / FB / Twitter.
