When the William Paterson University Office of Veterans Affairs was contacted by OCP to host a screening of the Renaud Brothers film "Warrior Champions", I was immediately excited. As a newly-formed club at WPU, the Student Veterans Organization was in need of some type of event to hold on campus, and a film portraying the achievements of severely wounded veterans seemed like the perfect idea. This was also an opportunity to inform the student population that a Veterans Club had formed on campus, and that veterans issues weren't something debated far away in Washington D.C., but right here in our own classrooms.
A few days before the screening was scheduled we were told that the Renaud brothers and Scott Winkler, one of the veterans featured in the film, would be in attendance. Lynette Butler, WPU Coordinator of Veterans Affairs, contacted the local Marriott Hotel. The Marriott offered to provide a room for Scott Winkler free of charge, as well as pay for dinner at Positano the night before the event. It was at this dinner that I met Wendy and Lauren of OPC. I had heard of their organization through Lynette, but it wasn't until I spoke with them that I understood how beneficial their service was for the veteran community.
In talking to Lauren, I learned ways to boost club membership and meeting attendance. Through Wendy, I learned that there were many other organizations out there like our club that I could contact through their website in order to strengthen the veterans community as a whole. I feel the WPUSVO has gained a valuable friend in our efforts to keep veterans issues at the forefront of political activism.
I was also very impressed by the efforts of the Renaud brothers in shining light on the issues they document. "Warrior Champions" was their third film involving members of the military and the adversity they face on a daily basis. It becomes even more impressive when you watch their footage filmed during battles, and remember that they are there without weapons and that they volunteered to be there.
At the screening they answered questions about the movie and about film making in general, as well as providing personal interviews for a WPU film student who was inspired to enter the film making career by their 2005 documentary "Dope Sick Love."
Scott Winkler is another person I learned from during this experience, but it wasn't the kind of learning you can do in a classroom. He showed me that, in his words, "if you believe, you can achieve," and that's exactly what he has done. After becoming paralyzed in Iraq, Scott transformed his adversity into victory and never let his handicap hold him back. He went to Beijing in 2008 to compete in the Paralympic Games, where he competed in the shot put event. Although he did not win the event, Scott can never be called an under achiever. Through his non-profit organization and through his achievements, he continues to inspire disabled and able-bodied individuals on a daily basis.
On behalf of myself and the WPU Student Veterans Organization, I would like to thank OCP for their support of our organization. I look forward to working with them again in the future, and appreciate the guidance they have provided to us so far.
Ian Gardner
President
Student Veterans Organization
William Paterson University
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