What to Watch: Ten Documentaries About U.S. Military Veterans
November 11 is Veterans Day, a day to honor all those who have served in the U.S. military. Veterans Day became an annual federal holiday in 1938, originally called Armistice Day and dedicated to honoring the veterans of World War I.
In these seven documentaries and programs, you'll hear from U.S. military veterans who served in various wars and combat missions. This Veterans Day, and every day, we remember and honor every veteran's bravery and service to this nation.
Why Do We celebrate Veterans Day on November 11th?
World War I, known at the time as "The Great War" officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1918. But fighting had stopped 7 months prior when an armistice, or temporary stop of hostilities, was agreed upon by the Allied nations and Germany. The armistice went into effect November 11, at 11th hour of the day.
From 1919 on, the eleventh day of the eleventh month was known as "Armistice Day." Early commemorations of the day included parades and public gatherings starting at 11:00am.
When Did Armistice Day Become Veterans Day?
In 1954, President Eisenhower issued the first Veterans Day Proclamation, making November 11th a day to honor all U.S. military veterans. Armistice Day was specific to the end of World War I (1914-1918) and honored WWI (1939-1945) veterans. The change from Armistice Day to Veterans Day acknowledged the service and sacrifice of all U.S. military veterans, including but not limited to those who had served since WWI.
Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen | Independent Lens
Riddled with survivor's guilt after his unit lost 17 men during "Operation Enduring Freedom" in Afghanistan, Marine veteran Anthony Marquez makes it his mission to reconnect with the Gold Star families of the fallen. By carving and hand-delivering a battlefield cross for each of the families affected by loss, Anthony finds the path to heal himself.
After Action
Hosted by Air Force combat veteran Stacy Pearsall, "After Action" reveals the experiences of 21 diverse veterans from across the country. Conversations about life before, during and after action provide a deeper appreciation for those who’ve served.
In this episode titled "Taps," host Stacy Pearsall sits down for a candid conversation with three fellow veterans who help service men and women overcome the challenge of transitioning back to civilian life. They reveal the trials and tribulations of returning home after action.
The Ghost Army
War, deception, art and glory come together in the documentary film "The Ghost Army," the astonishing true story of American G.I.s, many of whom would later have illustrious careers in art, design and fashion, who tricked the enemy with rubber tanks, sound effects and carefully crafted illusions during the Second World War.
Three Chaplains | Independent Lens
Muslim chaplains uphold the First Amendment and vow to protect service members' right to practice their faith freely, despite facing long-held prejudice and disapproval from their own communities. The Muslim chaplains work hard to ensure that all service members have access to religious materials, services, and resources regardless of the religious beliefs they hold.
American Veteran
AMERICAN VETERAN is a four-part documentary series tracing the veteran experience across the arc of American history and exploring the present-day divide between civilian and veteran communities. From the citizen-soldiers returning from the Revolution to today’s warrior class, it is a deeply moving story, illuminating the veteran experience and drawing civilian viewers into an unfamiliar culture.
Support your local PBS station in our mission to inspire, enrich, and educate.
The Warrior Tradition
The Warrior Tradition, tells the astonishing, heartbreaking, inspiring, and largely-untold story of Native Americans in the United States military. Why would Indian men and women put their lives on the line for the very government that took their homelands? The film relates the stories of Native American warriors from their own points of view – stories of service and pain, of courage and fear.
Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts
Established by Congress, the 14th Amendment promised citizenship in exchange for enlistment, prompting many African American men. They were denied due to Jim Crow laws but still served. The film examines the profound and often-contradictory roles played by Buffalo Soldiers in U.S. history, and how they fought on two sets of front lines: military conflicts abroad and civil rights struggles at home. Full documentary is available to stream with Passport from Local, USA
Go behind the scenes of Buffalo Soldiers: Fighting on Two Fronts with filmmaker Dru Holley.
Her War, Her Story: World War II
Explore the stories of women caught up in World War II, from the American Home Front to Auschwitz Concentration Camp in Poland. Included in this hour-long film are also the personal stories of the incredible women who served in a war that proved women were equal to men when it came to patriotism, service, or in some cases, self-preservation during watershed moments which called for steadfastness.
Veterans Coming Home
A team of photographers, writers, and filmmakers--both veteran and civilian--are crisscrossing the country to explore the lives of post-9/11 veterans, the divide between them and their communities, and the stereotypes that veterans and civilians hold about each other. Why does this divide exist? How does it affect communities across the country? And why does it matter?
All Gave Some
After Action host Stacy Pearsall sits down for a candid conversation with three fellow veterans who’ve had brushes with death. Although they’ve each faced adversities in their journeys, they reveal how they stay positive and what life is like after action.