Skip to Content

This program features a collection of four  (4) short documentary films that center around military histories and veteran experiences:

  • By My Side
  • Echoes of Resilience
  • Most Decorated Marine of All Time! Lt. General Chesty Puller
  • Mariupol Defender

The topics covered in these films vary widely and each short offers a unique perspective, providing viewers with a glimpse into another aspect of the lives of those who serve. Some films were created by veterans themselves, while others were made by filmmakers who sought to capture their stories. Total run time is approx. 90 minutes.

In this program


Service dog staring at the camera.

BY MY SIDE

Directed by Vicki Topaz, Wynn Padula

The three veterans and their families bravely share their pain, fear, and the difficult realization that they’ve lost time and love that they may never get back again. All three found hope where no one had looked—in the heart of a faithful service dog.

Echoes of Resilience

Directed by Alex Frey, Brady Ferdig

“Echoes of Resilience” throws you on a turbulent journey through a series of PTSD-related tragedies that force a devoted mental health advocate to redefine her life.

Photographs on soldier with his metals.

Most Decorated Marine of All Time! Lt. General Chesty Puller

Directed by Bruce Wittman

General Lewis “Chesty” Puller shouted battlefield orders in a bellow that rattled the Halls of Montezuma. He thrived in combat until he became a legend to his troops—the toughest fighting man in the whole United States Marine Corps. When he retired in 1955 as a lieutenant general, he was the most decorated man in Marine Corps history.

Man standing outside ship.

Mariupol Defender

Directed by Stanislav Puzdriak

The film follows the journey of Roman, a 20-year-old Ukrainian warrior who lost a hand and a leg while defending Mariupol in April 2022. The story is a testament to the human spirit and the resilience of those who fight for what they believe in.

Dates & Times

Past

Museum of Photographic Arts

Fri, May 19
5:00 pm