Field Notes
El Dorado Films interviews many people in the course of making a film. What they recount on camera is almost always intriguing, but for any number of reasons doesn’t always make the final cut of the film. We don’t like leaving interesting ideas on the cutting room floor, so we offer their stories in one-minute shorts from the field.
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Field Notes: Marine Memorial - Wounded on Iwo
Amid war's chaos, a soldier reflects on vulnerability and camaraderie after being wounded, discovering the humanity within his tough battalion commander.
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Field Notes: Marine Memorial - Iconic Photos
Marine veteran recounts an unexpected friendship with combat photographer Joe Rosenthal, reflecting on shared moments and the iconic Iwo Jima photograph.
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Field Notes: Do Ask, Do Tell - Sandhill Crane
From "Do Ask, Do Tell: The Linda Campbell Story," Charlie Burr explains how the sandhill crane, chosen as a symbol engraved on Linda and Nancy's headstones, embodies the joy and harmony they shared, while reflecting Linda’s journey through life, moving gracefully between earth, sky, and water.
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Field Notes: Do Ask, Do Tell - Together Forever
From "Do Ask, Do Tell: The Linda Campbell Story," Charlie Burr reflects on the powerful message of "Together Forever" that honored Linda and Nancy's love, capturing the warmth and joy of their historic fight for burial rights as a same-sex couple.
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Field Notes: Do Ask, Do Tell - Linda's Final Speech
From "Do Ask, Do Tell: The Linda Campbell Story", Charlie Burr reflects on the historic moment Linda and Nancy became the first same-sex couple approved for burial in a national cemetery, a powerful symbol of the country's evolving stance on LGBTQ+ rights, which invigorated her fight for change.
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Field Note: Do Ask, Do Tell - Linda was Human
From "Do Ask, Do Tell: The Linda Campbell Story", Brad Waldruff reflects on his mother’s life, dispelling the myth of an idyllic love story and revealing a deeper, more complex journey that shaped her fight for equality.
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Field Notes: Do Ask, Do Tell - Childhood with Linda
From "Do Ask, Do Tell: The Linda Campbell Story", Brad Waldruff reflects on his mother's courageous fight to have her partner buried alongside her in a national cemetery, a landmark battle for LGBTQ+ rights.
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Field Notes: Conte - Titone on Passing
Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone, a trans woman, shares her discovery of a 1990s Arvada city official, Joanne Conte, who transitioned in the late 70s, reflecting on the era's pressures to remain stealthy due to the stigma and dangers surrounding trans identities.
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Field Notes: Conte - Titone on the History of Joanne
Colorado State Representative Brianna Titone, a trans woman, reflects on the groundbreaking journey of Joanne Conte, Colorado's first openly trans elected official, and how her outing by the media sparked headlines while highlighting the state's evolving acceptance of the trans community.
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Field Notes: Conte - Mentoring Through Little Things
From "Conte: A Necessary Transition", Chris Daly reflects on Joanne's efforts to mentor him through words and humor.
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Field Notes: Conte - Joanne and Sandy
From "Conte: A Necessary Transition", Mary Hudgins reflects on the emotional toll of Joanne's public outing, which led to years of mental struggles and dependence, ultimately impacting Sandy's ability to live her life fully.
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Field Notes: Conte - A Necessary Transition
From "Conte: A Necessary Transition", Chris Daly recounts the subtle yet profound mentorship of Joanne, whose patience and wisdom shaped him over years, leaving him to realize only later the depth of her guidance and the impact she had on his life.
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Field Notes: Cape Canaveral National - Herbert Crosby, Killed in Action
Marylou Wade orchestrates a heartfelt tribute at Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, honoring Vietnam veterans and family legacy.
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Field Notes: Cape Canaveral National - Hal Kushner, Vietnam War POW
From Pearl Harbor to Vietnam's skies, Hal Kushner's journey: a survivor's tale of resilience, sacrifice, and the unyielding spirit that prevailed against all odds.
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Field Notes: Fort Rosecrans - Navy Seals
Honoring heroes at Fort Rosecrans, Graham Wright III recounts the bravery of Michael Monsoor and Charles Keating IV, embodying sacrifice.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - The Last Days of Ralph Parr
Ralph Parr's step-daughter, Linda Capps, shares the poignant account of his silent battle with cancer, resilience, and love's enduring impact.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - The Scariest Experience, Part I
Ralph Parr's wartime resilience surfaces as he narrowly escapes danger, using quick thinking in a chilling North Korean encounter.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - The Scariest Experience, Part II
Traumatized by a blown-out windscreen, Ralph Parr's resilience unfolds as he grapples with the impact of war's enduring nightmares.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - Fear of the Unknown
Fear discussions between Ralph Parr and Ken Murray reveal the profound impact of the unknown in aerial combat.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - Masterful Airmanship
Ralph Parr's extraordinary dogfight over Korea, downing MIGs with masterful airmanship, unveils a hero's courage in the skies.
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Field Notes: Ralph Parr - Tank Busting
Ralph Parr's Korean War missions in the F80, known as a 'tank buster,' reveal strategic precision in air-to-ground operations.
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Field Notes: Fort Sam Houston - USS Forrestal 1967
Tom Ballinger reflects on his Navy service in 1965, sharing tales of night shifts and perilous incidents aboard a ship.
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Field Notes: Fort Sam Houston - Houston Riots
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery unveils stories of 19 African-American veterans, victims of the 1917 Houston riots, remembered in perpetuity.
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Field Notes: Golden Gate National - Bataan Death March Commemoration
Commemorating the Bataan Death March since 2012, acknowledging the largest surrender in US military history, a solemn tribute persists.