Memorial Day represents a time when people can come together to remember those that lost their lives in service to their country. For many, the purpose of Memorial Day is abstract as they do not actually know anyone who died in the line of service. For Veterans, especially those who served in combat, this day represents one of remembrance and reflection. While some people may get together for barbecues and social events, others struggle with memories of fallen brothers or sisters. 

For me, Memorial Day represents a day when I think about my friends whose lives were lost in Iraq and Afghanistan. As I mourn their memories, I cannot help but be thankful that I did not join them. While I was fortunate enough to survive - with my limbs and sanity intact- there were those who were not so fortunate. Like many, I live with post-traumatic stress but have never thought of it as a disorder. While I am able to cope with this stress because of a strong support system that I’ve built, I also try my best to become part of the support system for others as well.

Three years ago, I became involved with a documentary film project that focused on the same positive support systems. I was connected to the film’s producer, Brian Morrison, through a mutual friend and found out that we were both Arundel High graduates. The focus of the film was a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran (and fellow Arundel Alumnus), Jon Hancock, who walked nearly six thousand miles around the country in 2016. Bastards’ Road is Hancock’s story, that of a combat veteran who faced hard times upon completion of his service. Like many veterans, Jon was going down a lonely, unproductive path after his deployments to Iraq. One day he looked in the mirror and realized that he had lost himself. He decided that a change was necessary, so he hiked across the country from Maryland to California. At first, the journey was a challenge solely to himself, but it soon became much more. Jon’s adventures with his Marine Corps brothers, Gold Star Families, and everyday people truly made the road to recovery a magnificent one with an inspirational story of self-reflection, determination, and resilience.

Although I did not personally know Brian or Jon, I immediately became interested as I have grown very tired of seeing movies about how “broken” veterans are. Instead, I saw this project as an opportunity to portray a story of triumph over adversity. In November of 2018, I joined a group of volunteers to host a fundraising event that raised over $15K for the movie. We were joined by veterans of every era along with family, friends, and other supporters. As people found out more about the movie, many became inspired with the film’s story of hope over despair, one that is needed for all Americans. The story shows the importance of reconnecting with good friends, facing hard issues, and supporting one another through hardship. This particular message is one that is important to all Americans as we work together to move past the effects of COVID.

This Memorial Day, Bastards Road will be available on iTunes and Amazon streaming services. This effort has been in the making for five years with awards from several film festivals. We invite you to become part of a movement to not only support veterans, but also spread a positive message that can resonate with all audiences.

Thank you in advance for support and God bless America.

About the Author: Chris Gonzalez is the President of A-G Associates, a Service-Disabled Veteran / Minority-Owned Small Business. Chris is a combat veteran with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan as a U.S. Marine. Chris currently serves in the Marine Corps Reserves and works with clients in the Department of Veterans Affairs and volunteers with several veteran-serving nonprofits, including the Bastards Road project. You may reach him by email at cgonzalez@a-gassociates.com .