Hometown Heroes:
Rockford Veterans’ Stories
Saturday, November 14 at 1:00 pm
Midway Village Museum, 6799 Guilford Road, Rockford, IL

In honor of Veterans Day, take a look inside the lives and service of two local veterans through incredible documentaries produced by Harlem High School students. Created for the Harlem Veteran’s Project, these documentaries allowed veterans to share their stories in their own words while helping the Machesney Park high school students learn about the wars in which they served as only these veterans could explain.

Keeping Faith: The Story of Sverre Vinje

Directed and edited by Nathan Kyriazopoulos, 2022.

This documentary celebrates Sverre Vinje, a member of the U.S. Navy who carried out many duties aboard the USS Donaldson from 1942 until the end of the war in 1945. The documentary aims to preserve the harrowing story of Vinje; both his time overseas and his upbringing in a Depression-era United States, while highlighting his positive and lighthearted nature. It’s evident that Vinje never fails to keep faith, both when serving his country in the Navy, and serving his community back home.

William Smith - A Warrior in Time

Directed by Tessa Appelgren, 2021.

This documentary covers the life of Bill Smith, a Lakota warrior who tells the story of his time in the military and how it affected the rest of his life. Inspired by his father’s own military service, Smith joins the United States Marines. From growing up on the Pine Ridge Reservation to helicoptering through the Philippines, Smith lived a life of pride.

Questions? Call 815-397-9112.