Cover Story: Veterans Advantage Members Enjoy Free Private Screenings of Blockbuster Movies

The spirit of the battles past is alive and well among theatergoers nationwide who are flocking to see ‘Hart’s War’ and ‘We Were Soldiers,’ dramatic films starring Bruce Willis and Mel Gibson, respectively. Veterans Advantage provided advanced screenings last month free of charge, before the nationwide rollout of the films, for Veterans Advantage members in the Washington DC area.

The Veterans Advantage member reviews were overwhelmingly positive, a feeling shared by the rest of America as the movies were distributed nationwide. It also gave many members the opportunity to reflect on their memories, and even spark new ones.

"I saw ‘We Were Soldiers’ and must say that it was an excellent movie. It was an intense depiction of a single battle during the Vietnam War that was made more poignant by having participants of that battle seated in the theater," said Gary Carter. " I got the feeling that I was attending a special occasion and am grateful to have been given the opportunity to attend."

Based on the best-selling book ‘We Were Soldiers Once...and Young’ by Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore (Ret.) and journalist Joseph L. Galloway, this compelling fact-based war drama depicts the true story of the first major battle between the United States and North Vietnamese forces.

It is a film about uncommon valor and nobility under fire, loyalty among soldiers, and the heroism and sacrifice of men and women both home and abroad.

"I was really moved by We Were Soldiers. Not only by the heroics, bravery and smarts of the men on the front lines, but also of how the wives acted during this difficult time. No one seemed prepared for the scope of this engagement," said Dean Housden.’

We Were Soldiers,’ debuted as the top weekend film last week with $20.2 million in ticket sales over its first weekend. Also popular is ‘ Hart’s War,’ which generated $17.8 million over the course of its first three weeks in public theatres.

In ‘ Hart’s War,’ fourth-generation war hero Col. William McNamara (Bruce Willis) is imprisoned in a brutal German POW camp. Still, as the camp’s highest-ranking American officer, he commands his fellow inmates, keeping a sense of honor alive in a place where honor is easy to destroy.

Together with his men, McNamara uses a hero’s resolve to carry out his mission, ultimately forced to weigh the value of his life against the good of his country.

"The subject matter of both movies hit home, and I recommend both to all Veterans as well as others who might not have quite the experience that we do," said Julien P. Hofberg. " I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to preview these movies, and look forward to the opportunity to see other movies in the future."

Veterans Advantage expects similar events in the future and will inform our members when they become available.