See you on Wednesday!  We are sold out. We're happy to welcome over one hundred veterans tomorrow from the local communities who are coming to see the film and also find out about careers. We've cast a wide net to the local veteran and active duty military community. It will be a fine day to appreciate their sacrifices and the path leading them to new beginnings.  Above: Ike Isaacson, Kansas Army National Guard. Of all the veterans in our film, Ike is still active duty.  Please check out High Ground on Facebook!

When High Ground put together their outreach campaign, their small team reached out to organizations to discuss the film. After hundreds of emails and phone calls, they decided to partner with 55 organizations that offer 

• Sports
• Outdoor Recreation
• Free counseling
• Service Projects
• Arts Programing

for veterans and their families. From X-Treme Sports to quilters, the organizations ranged from large and national in scope, to small ones that serve communities and are run by a handful of persons. The filmmaker presented a diverse range of choices for those who fought for our nation. Find the list on the High Ground Website. Since their opening, High Ground has played in Film Festivals, theaters, universities, for grass roots organizations, colleges, Wounded Warrior Battalions, and now, for Oracle!

Above: US Army Veteran and journalist Brian Mockenhaupt with children in Kathmandu.

One of our invited guests is  Michael Hutchens, who served in the Army primarily in Air Missile Defense as a Command and Control operator. Michael is the Student Veterans Club President at West Valley Community College in Saratoga. His goal is to bring more recognition to the Veterans Resource Center and connect more veterans as they make their way through college and into the workforce. Veterans Resource Centers are a growing part of today's colleges. They help military veterans transition from service to college providing information about benefits, and also the camaraderie and teamwork they had while serving our nation.

We have reached the top! Both the screening and wait list are at capacity!  Thank you for your enthusiasm. This is Gold Star and Blue Star mother Lona Parten, who climbed with the memory and stories of her son, the late LT Tyler Parten, a USMA graduate. Lona's other son Daniel, and his wife --also USMA graduates, recently completed tours of duty in Afghanistan. Story telling is such an important facet of coming home. The veterans of High Ground inspire us with their experiences. You can listen to Tyler singing here. 

"You don't unbuild a soldier." -SSgt Cody Miranda, USMC

Cody Miranda provides the classic truth about those who serve. Military values feature prominently in High Ground. They trained, and climbed as a team. Most importantly, no one got left behind. Oracle is pleased to have many veterans in attendance to help them as they make their way through colleges, and careers.

Fantastic!  Great to see an upsurge in numbers. Do you know a neighbor who served, or who has a loved one who did?  Invite them to come along!  The veterans faced many arduous days of hiking and climbing, but they made it because they went as a team. Here's Ashley, a veteran of the Utah Army National Guard in the lead through the Kumbhu Valley.

Another week, and we're gaining ground!  Good work, and please keep spreading the word. Here's Chad Jukes of the Utah Army Reserves, blowing a horn while in transit through Kathmandu! A wounded warrior, who had his leg amputated, Chad provides some of the more memorable quips in the film. You'll see lots of great scenes like this as the veterans make their way from Colorado to Nepal. And don't forget, PROJECT HIRED will be there to talk about opportunities in the Silicon Valley, and you'll also find out about the Oracle Injured Veteran Job & Training Program.

We've crossed the 100 ticket mark!  Great job! Ever wonder what it's like to film at 20,000 ft?  Find out as Oracle Senior Producer, and High Ground Documentary cinematographer shares  the rigors of shooting film on an arduous journey. Here's a photo of cameramen Rex Pemberton and Didrik John. Photo, Serac Adventure Films

Our ticket sales are going well!  Please continue sharing the news through your social networks! Joining us at the screening is OIF Veteran and VFW Post 4103 Commander Howard Zimmerman. LtCol Zimmerman is the Commander of the 185th Military Police Battalion Army National Guard. He served 2 tours in Iraq and is a decorated combat veteran with three Bronze Stars (Valor) and is a Purple Heart Recipient. His insight on transition during the Q&A is much anticipated!

We're off to a great start!  Please tell your friends about this event! Matt Murray, co-producer will join John von Seeburg, cinematographer, for the Q&A. Matt is a Gulf War, USAF Veteran, who was instrumental in raising support from United Airlines Pilots. Matt was on the expedition as a guide and friend to fellow vets.