The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

military

14 Resident Veterans Honored at the Bristal

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Bristal Assisted Living at Armonk, an assisted and independent living community, celebrated Veterans Day honoring a group of 14 residents who served in the military. State, county and town officials joined the ceremony, commending the veterans for their courage and service.

North Castle Town Supervisor Michael Schiliro, on behalf of the North Castle town board stated:  “Your bravery is like that recently witnessed by first responders going into the wildfires of California. It’s no different than what all of you did for all of us so many years ago, and we just can’t thank you enough.”

Honoring veterans at the Bristal (L-R) North Castle Supervisor Michael Schiliro; State Assemblyman David Buchwald; North Castle Councilwoman Barbara DiGiacinto; North Castle Councilman Jose Berra; North Castle Councilman Steve D’Angelo;The Bristal at Armonk Executive Director Samantha Krieger; County Legislator Margaret Cunzio; and U.S. Navy Veteran Stephen Smith representing the Byram Veterans Association.  Photos By Grace Bennett

State Assemblyman David Buchwald noted, “Your service is inspiring to the entire community. This day is about each of you and the men and women you served with. I wouldn’t miss this opportunity for anything.”

County Legislator Margaret Cunzio presented an American flag that had been flown in a search and rescue helicopter. It was given to her by a cousin, a Major in the Air Force who had recently returned from service in Afghanistan. A second cousin, she also noted proudly, is a lieutenant colonel who served five tours of duty.

“He (the Major) was in Syria last year, and had just returned home to his nine month old baby girl and three- year- old son. There’s a video of him coming home and his son saying:  “That’s my daddy. My daddy’s home. My daddy’s safe.”

“I am honored and proud to display this flag,” she said. 

Photos by Grace Bennett

SongwritingWith:Soldiers

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Free Community Event on Wednesday, May 11

Songwriting with SolidersJacob Burns Film Center

Darden Smith and Soldiers
Darden Smith and Soldiers

Pleasantville, NY – In celebration of 15 years of uniting community around the media arts, the Jacob Burns Film Center presents The Power of Story, a special evening in partnership with SongwritingWith:Soldiers on Wednesday, May 11 at 7:30. The program will feature conversation, film clips, and live music inspired by the work of this groundbreaking organization to celebrate the transformative power of story and music. Panelists include Mary Judd, Darden Smith, filmmaker Jon Siskel, and Staff Sergeant Rob Spohr, along with a Live Musical Performance by singer/songwriters Darden Smith and Mary Gauthier.

Darden Smith, who is founder and creative director of SongwritingWith:Soldiers, along with Executive Director Mary Judd, have been dedicated to improving the lives of soldiers since 2012 by pairing veterans, active-duty service members, and military families with professional songwriters in retreat settings to craft songs about military experiences and the transition home. Along with Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Mary Gauthier, filmmaker Jon Siskel, and SW:S veterans, they will share the stories, images, film clips, and collaborative songwriting which defines SongwritingWith:Soldiers as a home for creativity, connections, and strength.

Presented with support from Community Partners at WFUV 90.7 Public Radio, Fordham University.

This is a free community event. Please RSVP to ssoliman@burnsfilmcenter.org with the subject line “SW:S at JBFC,” your first and last name, and the number of tickets needed. (Limit is 4 tickets per person)

Songwriting with Soliders group

In conjunction with the evening, there will be a Media Exhibition of participating veterans’ portraits by Michael O’Brien in the JBFC Theater’s Jane Peck Gallery on the third floor.

The Jacob Burns Film Center is a nonprofit cultural arts organization dedicated to: presenting the best of independent, documentary, and world cinema; promoting 21st century literacy, and making film a vibrant part of the community. Located on a 47,500 sq. foot, three-building campus in the center of Pleasantville, the JBFC is just 30 miles outside of New York City. Since the opening in 2001, over 2,000,000 people have seen over 5,400 films from more than 40 countries The campus includes the 27,000 sq. foot Media Arts Lab, the JBFC’s state-of-the-art education center, a creative and educational community for storytellers in the digital age, offering one-time workshops, intensive courses, and weekend programs for children and adults of all ages. To learn more about the Jacob Burns Film Center, visit www.burnsfilmcenter.org.