Happy New Year #SXSW #Film

Photos of Raul Colon Web Developer Puerto Rico

While I was waiting for my flight from Austin to Orlando, I had the opportunity to meet a few people at the Gate while we waited for our flight. I met a gentleman by the name of Joseph Harrell  and identified him as a serviceman. Besides the way he appeared and the shirt he had on (Marines t-shirt he had on) it made it easy for me to identify him as a Marine. I asked him if he was still in the service. I quickly connected with Josephe since I am an ex-service member. In the Army had the opportunity to work along with the Marines.

While I was in El Salvador serving as a translator I was assigned to a Marine Combat Engineer unit that was creating a Medical Facility for a remote town in el Salvador. Working alongside the Marines I had the opportunity to understand and admire the discipline and pride they display of being proud Marines.

Joseph is an Ex-Drill Instructor for the Marines and is currently working on his acting career while serving as a consultant from a military perspective for some films.

Joseph was at SXSW for the Film part of the event working on the Movie, Happy New Year , directed and screenplay by K. Lorrel Manning with Michael Cuomo as lead actor and producer. Joseph not only served as a military consultant he is a also a producer and  plays “Joe Wallace”  a widower who seeks closure from his deceased wife’s platoon sergeant. Get a preview of Joe and his character:

 

JOSEPH HARRELL (USMC) discusses the importance of HAPPY NEW YEAR from Happy New Year Film on Vimeo.

In my conversation with Joseph while waiting on our flight I was able to see the value of how this film is creating awareness of PTSD.

Being an ex-service member with many close friends and family members that returned with hidden scars, compelled me to write about the Happy New Year movie even though I have not seen it.

My best friend from childhood is an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran who at one moment was too proud to admit he suffers from PTSD. His vehicle was hit by an RPG and along with other action he saw as a Combat Engineer and Sapper for the U.S. Army, still affects his daily life. He is still in the service and has many stories to share but I see how the military does not really take care of those soldiers that have battle wounds that are hard for us to see.

Given the large presence of Puerto Rican’s in the service, I was very happy to see Wilmer Calderon an actor from  Santurce, Puerto Rico as part of the movie, representing the face of the many Puerto Rican’s that have served in all US Military Branches. As a Colony of the United States, we have a good presence in the military, eventhough as residents we have no representation in congress or vote for president. I have always heard rumors on how Puerto Rico has larger amount of service  members per capita vs. other U.S. territories and states.

I did find stats from the Washington Post on Fallen Members during Operation Iraqui Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom . The states place Puerto Rico 36th out of 56 territories having 45 Fallen Service Members (as of March 25, 2011). This data provides information on  how Puerto Rico’s service members have given the ultimate sacrifice when they still don’t have the same rights as those that serve and live in the Continental U.S.

Photos of Raul Colon Web Developer Puerto Rico

I think that given the high ratio of individuals serving our military in Puerto Rico and how everyone has a family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker serving in the military and/or combat veterans, I think this movie would be a big hit on the Island. It can have a very engaged group of people who have lived through some of the experiences depicted in the movie.

Until then, I will be waiting on getting a chance to watch it in the near future. Here is the trailer on Happy New Year and please let me know what you think:

 

Happy New Year Trailer from Happy New Year Film on Vimeo.

Do you know anyone who is suffering from PTSD?

Would they be interested in creating awareness of the subject and supporting a film like this one?

Happy New Year Reviews


Posted in Featured, Random Thoughts, SXSWi and tagged , , , , ,

5 Comments

  1. Joe Harrell on March 27, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    I had the pleasure of meeting Raul Colon in Texas at the airport following the SXSW film, music, and interactive festival. From my time as a Marine and an advocate for Veterans affairs, Raul has to be one of the most unselfish and giving people I have encountered in the last 3 years as a civilian. He has taken so much interest in our Veterans, and constantly fights for the betterment of our servicemen and women. Raul Colon is the REAL DEAL, and I encourage everyone to follow his work and thought provoking posts here on this blog.
    Truly,
    Joe Harrell USMC Alumni



  2. Joe Harrell on March 27, 2011 at 5:03 pm

    I had the pleasure of meeting Raul Colon in Texas at the airport following the SXSW film, music, and interactive festival. From my time as a Marine and an advocate for Veterans affairs, Raul has to be one of the most unselfish and giving people I have encountered in the last 3 years as a civilian. He has taken so much interest in our Veterans, and constantly fights for the betterment of our servicemen and women. Raul Colon is the REAL DEAL, and I encourage everyone to follow his work and thought provoking posts here on this blog.
    Truly,
    Joe Harrell USMC Alumni



    • Raul Colon on March 27, 2011 at 5:11 pm

      Joe,

      Thanks for leaving your comments I appreciate you visiting the blog. But I admire the work you are doing towards an issue that is very important to me.

      Let me know how I can help in fighting for veterans benefits and getting more awareness of PTSD. Count on my support and the support of many from my community.

      It was a pleasure meeting you and I can wait till I see the movie.



    • Josh Monson0341 on November 23, 2011 at 4:53 pm

      SSgt. Harrell was one of my drill instructors.  I graduated in 2005 from 3d BN L CO PLT 3073.  Since then I have EAS’d from the USMC-R and even worked for my local Sheriffs Department.  I was 17 years old when I attended recruit training and met SSgt. Harrell.  Finding him online and seeing that he is leading a successful civilian life brings me great joy, as he is one man I will never forget.  He is one of the major factors in the reason I am a productive member of society and leader in my community.  I was fortunate to have never deployed into harms way, however outside of combat training he prepared me for life in general, and for that I am forever grateful.  I hope to follow his career in the years to come as he finds continuous success. 

      Semper Fi,

      Josh Monson 



      • Raul Colon on November 23, 2011 at 8:38 pm

        Josh, 

        As an ex-service member I can relate to how a Drill Instructor ( in my case Drill Sergeant) can influence you for quite some time. I went to BCT in 1999 and I clearly remember the name of the my two DS. 

        I am sure Joseph will be more than glad to read your comment I will forward the message. 

        Semper Fi