Temecula to host premier of documentary on veterans

Temecula will roll out the red carpet on Nov. 8 when it hosts the West Coast premier of a full-length documentary that focuses on veteran issues. The documentary – Darkness and Light: a Human Conversation with Eleven Wounded Veterans – will feature a prominent Temecula soldier. Retired Marine Cpl. Juan E. Dominguez, a triple amputee, was the 2012 recipient of a specially-designed home in the city.

The City Council set the stage for the premier at its Aug. 25 meeting. At that time, the council agreed to underwrite support and marketing costs that together total more than $15,200. The benefit event will be held at the Old Town Temecula Community Theater.

The council approved the funding request without discussion. No council members or audience speakers commented on the documentary, which has been produced by Thi Lihn Wernau.

Councilwoman Maryann Edwards sought her colleagues’ approval of an agreement to host the premier. She said she was contacted several months ago by Dominguez, who reported that the documentary was seeking a location for its premier.

“It kind of developed from there,” Edwards said in a recent telephone interview.

The council approved an agreement with a nonprofit foundation that has ties to a popular actor who is active in veteran housing projects and other related efforts.

Gary Sinise, 60, is perhaps best known for his role in Forrest Gump, a 1984 movie that won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. He was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor category for that film.

Sinise was cast in the role of Army Lt. Dan Taylor, who lost both his legs in the Vietnam War segment of the movie.

Sinise later was a founder of the Lt. Dan Band, which has performed twice outside Temecula’s Civic Center complex, most recently on Nov. 2, 2013. That concert helped raise funds for a second wounded veteran’s home.

“He’s super nice,” Edwards said of the actor, musician and humanitarian. “He was very generous.”

The Temecula council approved an agreement with the Gary Sinise Foundation that spells out the arrangements for the premier, which is expected to include a red carpet welcome, live music and a reception.

A city staff report predicts the event “will draw worldwide and favorable attention for Temecula.”

The agreement calls for Temecula to earmark $3,844 to cover the cost of the event’s use of the theater and to pay the wages of city workers who will be involved. Another $11,415 was allocated to help market the event via the city’s web site, auto mall sign, cable television channel and a promotional poster.

Two other nonprofit veteran services groups – the Semper Fi Fund and Warfighter Made – are also listed as charitable partners in the benefit event.

On Aug. 21, the Sinise Foundation presented the keys to a Fallbrook home to a double amputee who relies on a wheelchair for mobility. That veteran, former Marine Sgt. Jason Ross, lost both his legs and much of his torso when an improvised explosive device detonated in Afghanistan in March 2011.

Ross and his two children will live in the house, which was the 23^rd home that the foundation has donated to a veteran. Sinise did not attend the dedication ceremony. Foundation representatives said he was in Los Angeles on an acting assignment.

Edwards said she asked Dominguez to put in a plug for Sinise to take part in the premier. At this point, no response has been received by the city, she said.

“That would be awesome if he could,” Edwards said.