Legion documentary in GI Film Festival

A 48-minute documentary about The American Legion will be one of three films shown on a loop in the exhibit hall at the upcoming GI Film Festival in Washington, D.C., May 14-15.

“The History of The American Legion: A National Legacy” is being recognized with an honorable mention in the nation’s first and only military film festival. Produced by the California-based Blackhorse Studios, the documentary is narrated by actor Neal McDonough (“Band of Brothers”) and covers the illustrious history of the nation’s largest veterans service organization from its founding in 1919 to its support for the military during the Global War on Terrorism. Sales of the DVD are available online here or by calling (888) 453-4466. A portion of the proceeds goes to supporting programs of The American Legion.

The American Legion also has a history of support for the GI Film Festival. An original sponsor of the festival, The American Legion’s National Executive Committee unanimously passed in May 2010 Resolution 13, which recognized and saluted the GIFF as “the preeminent venue for military film screenings.”

Past National Commander Clarence E. Hill awarded the GIFF with The American Legion’s Public Relations Award in March 2010. Past winners included Tim Russert, Lou Dobbs, Ben Stein and Tom Brokaw. Also in 2010, the GIFF screened “Mother of Normandy: The Story of Simone Renaud,” a documentary written by Jeff Stoffer, editor of The American Legion Magazine.

The 2011 GI Film Festival will be held at the U.S. Navy Memorial on 701 Pennsylvania Ave, NW, in Washington, D.C., on May 9-15. Members of The American Legion, Sons of the American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary will be given a 20-percent discount on GI Film Festival tickets (discount code: Mill11).