Curated News
By: NewsRamp Editorial Staff
January 01, 2026
Veterans Launch Military Movies on Mondays to Bridge Civilian-Military Divide
TLDR
- Veterans can gain leadership roles and community recognition by organizing events like Military Movies on Mondays, enhancing their resumes and networking opportunities.
- The event organized by George Ohan and VetFlicks included AI demonstrations on Replit, trade workshops, film screenings, and volunteer staffing to structure veteran-led community engagement.
- This veteran-led initiative fosters positive civilian-military relationships, provides mentorship to youth, and supports veteran reintegration, creating a more connected and supportive community.
- Actor KP Phagnasay from Netflix's 'Dahmer' led talent workshops at an event where participants created AI website mockups to visualize hospital workflows.
Impact - Why it Matters
This initiative matters because it addresses critical gaps in veteran reintegration and community engagement while tackling workforce development challenges. Veterans often face significant barriers when transitioning to civilian life, including social isolation, employment difficulties, and mental health challenges. By creating structured opportunities for veterans to lead educational and mentorship programs, this model empowers them as community assets rather than focusing solely on their needs. The workforce development components, particularly the trades exposure for youth, address growing skills gaps in essential industries while providing viable career pathways. Furthermore, the civilian-military engagement aspect helps bridge the growing divide between military and civilian populations in America, fostering mutual understanding and respect. As communities nationwide seek effective models for veteran support and youth development, this volunteer-driven approach offers a scalable template that emphasizes service, collaboration, and practical skill-building over commercial interests.
Summary
A veteran-led community initiative called Military Movies on Mondays recently launched in Fresno, California, bringing together veterans, civilians, and local youth for education, workforce development, and positive civilian-military engagement. The event was organized by U.S. Army veteran George Ohan, a patient at the Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center, with the concept originating from VetFlicks CEO and fellow Army veteran Marcus Beaufils. This community-based pilot demonstrated how veterans can lead safe, ethical mentorship programs while fostering reintegration and peer connection.
Programming featured innovative hands-on demonstrations, including artificial intelligence education through "vibe coding" on the Replit platform, where participants created non-HIPAA website mockups to visualize hospital workflows without using actual patient data. The event also included a Blue-Collar Youth in Trades segment introducing practical career pathways in plumbing, electrical work, and general trades, with veterans and skilled workers facilitating discussions about mentorship and employment stability. Additional activities encompassed no-fee participation for local small businesses, recreational gaming, entertainment-industry training led by KP Phagnasay from Netflix's 'Dahmer,' and screenings of military-themed international short films.
The inaugural gathering received strong community support from partners including the U.S. Army station commander SFC Campos, Fresno Ag hardware store, and the American Legion Gaming Vanguard Post 1337, with all staffing handled by volunteers. The event culminated with the Best Film award going to 'Fathers and Sons,' a powerful upcoming feature exploring generational bonds, family, duty, and sacrifice. Following the successful pilot, organizers are evaluating future iterations of the program, with Plant City Premiere Lux 8 near Tampa Bay already expressing interest in hosting similar events. The initiative represents a model for veteran-led community engagement that emphasizes service over commercial activity while supporting reintegration through structured education and workforce exposure.
Source Statement
This curated news summary relied on content disributed by 24-7 Press Release. Read the original source here, Veterans Launch Military Movies on Mondays to Bridge Civilian-Military Divide
