In honor of Veterans Day, Armstrong State University and Mountainfilm on Tour-Savannah will host a special screening of the documentary “Mending the Line” on Monday at 7 p.m. the Ogeechee Theatre in the Student Union, 11935 Abercorn St.
Director Steve Engman will introduce the film. World War II veteran Frank Moore, the soldier featured in the documentary, will be present at the screening and be available for questions.
“Mending the Line” chronicles Moore’s remarkable life history and follows the 90-year-old veteran’s return to France to fish the rivers he crossed so many years ago as a 21-year-old soldier amidst the devastation of war. Moore is one of the few veterans his age in good enough health to travel back to France to visit their former war grounds.
Moore loves to fly fish. In 1944, he landed along with some 150,000 other troops on the beaches of Normandy, France for the D-Day Allied invasion. Despite the cacophony of war around him, the avid, young fly fisherman couldn’t help but notice the productive fisheries on the rivers he and his fellow troops crossed as they made their way into occupied France.
Moore’s lifetime accomplishments as a fly fisherman, conservationist and a veteran have earned him many awards, including the prestigious Chevalier of the French Legion of Honor and the recent induction into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame. He has guided and fished with actors, congressman and executives over his storied angling career.
Now, reflecting on his life, Moore returns to the rivers of Normandy, this time armed not with a gun, but with a fly rod and reel. Engaging in his favorite hobby in the place of his greatest trauma brings him healing and closure.
“We are fortunate to have such an accomplished World War II veteran come to Savannah to speak to a local audience,” said Col. Pete Hoffman, director of Armstrong’s Liberty Center in Hinesville. “His story is inspiring and will be fascinating to hear.”
The film will be $12 for the general public and $6 for members of the military and their dependents.
Admission is free with a Pirate Card and for WWII veterans. For ticketing information, visit www.armstrong.edu/Liberal_Arts/amt_box_office/box_office_ticketing
Telluride Mountainfilm, whose worldwide tour comes through Savannah each January, played a vital role in facilitating the screening and coordinating the special guest appearances for this event. Their tour staff was even able to leverage their contacts at Delta Airlines, who through the Veteran’s Assistance Program, contributed two first class tickets for Frank and Jeanne Moore, who are traveling from Eugene, Ore., to appear with the film.
Mending the Line will be released on DVD on Nov. 11.
