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Pivot Kicks Off 10-City Tour Of Ric Roman Waugh’s ‘That Which I Love Destroys Me’

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2014) – Participant Media’s television network Pivot, along with the Armed Forces Foundation kick off a 10-city screening tour of Ric Roman Waugh’s moving documentary, That Which I Love Destroys Me, on February 11 at 7:30 p.m. at the LA Film School.  The film offers a candid look at the current epidemic of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) through the eyes of two Special Operations veterans –Tyler Grey and Jayson Floyd – and charts their journey of healing through their struggle to rebuild relationships with family and exploring their trauma up close. That Which I Love Destroys Me premiered on Pivot last November and for the entire month of March, will be available at TakePart.com/vets to stream for free.  

Immediately following the screening there will be a panel discussion with Waugh; veterans Grey and Floyd; Melissa Fitzgerald, Sr. Director Justice For Vets; Dr. Albert “Skip” Rizzo, Professor of Psychiatry at USC; and moderated by Michelle Monaghan.  

Director Ric Roman Waugh notes, “Through Tyler and Jayson’s very personal stories, my hope is that the documentary starts a nationwide discussion on the physical and mental needs of our returning veterans, and spurs citizens and lawmakers to look for ways to ensure these brave warriors are supported at home.“

Justice For Vets joins the 10-city tour to spotlight the need for additional support for veterans who are involved in the court system due to PTSD and/or substance abuse.  The nonprofit advocates for the creation of a nationwide network of Veterans Treatment Courts that will transform the way veterans are handled in the criminal justice system, and in doing so, keep veterans out of jail and prison; saving their lives, families, and futures, while also saving tax dollars for the American public.

These unique courts connect veterans suffering from PTSD with the benefits and treatment they have earned, while providing structure and accountability. Veterans participate in the program side by side with other veterans, re-instilling the camaraderie that they experienced while in the military. 

With support from the Armed Forces Foundation, Participant Media, Veterans in Film & Television and Active Voice, the Los Angeles screening kicks off a tour that will take the film to Seattle, WA, Phoenix, AZ, Chicago, IL, Charlotte, N.C., Tampa, FL, Nashville, TN, El Paso, TX, New York, NY and Washington D.C. to screen the film for service men and women, their family members, state representatives as well as the general public. Floyd and Grey, both Army special operation veterans profiled in the film, will attend select screenings and participate in panel discussions to share their post combat experiences with other veterans from across the U.S.  For more information on how to get involved with this event in your city, contact Active Voice’s Program Coordinator Micael Bogar (micael@activevoice.net.)

The documentary is a part of Participant Media’s year-long, multiplatform initiative Return the Service that celebrates the bravery, resilience and contributions of our service men and women, while taking an in-depth look at the challenges they face upon returning home.  The initiative also offers viewers avenues to take action to address important issues facing veterans.

That Which I Love Destroys Me is directed by Ric Roman Waugh, produced by Waugh, Patricia Driscoll, Jonathan Chibnall  and Dana Gonzales and was funded by the Armed Forces Foundation.

For more information on That Which I Love Destroys Me and Pivot’s Return the Service campaign, and what you can do to help please visit: www.takepart.com/vets.