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Movies for Grownups offer free flicks and fun in Roanoke

Listening Post Question



As movie goers entered the Grandin Theater, the AARP Roanoke Leadership Team was fast at work checking in guests, manning the information table and encouraging movie goers to participate in the Listening Post Question of the day. The question "Making Roanoke a Livable Community - Which of the eight domains would most influence the quality of life for you?" The eight choices were: Communication & Information, Community & Health Services, Respect & Social Inclusion, Transportation, Outdoor Space & Buildings, Social Participation, Housing, and Work & Civic Engagement.”

 

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Many participants entered the theater with much excitement and enthusiasm. As Cathy Deal indicated, “The movie was awesome and Doss was a very brave man. It comes to show you, you don’t need a gun to be brave. And besides, the hero is from Lynchburg.” Although Cathy didn't attend the first two Movies For Grownups, she had to come out to see AARP Movies for Grownups free screening of Hacksaw Ridge.

Hacksaw Ridge is a true story that took place in Okinawa, known as one of the bloodiest WWII battles. Andrew Garfield played Lynchburg native Desmond Doss, who saved 75 men without firing one single shot. As stated in AARP literature advertising the screening, "Desmond Doss was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, as he believed that while the war was justified, killing was wrong." PFC Doss died in 2006 and didn't live to see his story in theaters across the country.

One of the features of the movie was the interview with PFC Doss about his experience in Okinawa. The interview took place before his death.

One participant said she had seen the movie before but came back with a friend to see it again. She said it was a wonderful movie and its hero is a local so she had to come see it again. Another man expressed that the first time he was at Grandin Theater he saw Sound of Music.

Velva Flick, a Salem resident, thought the movie was “very touching.” She indicated that her husband found out about the movie showing and it became a day time date. Mrs. Flick said she grew up watching movies at the Grandin, where she used to walk from Brambleton Avenue.

The #1 response to the Listening Post Question was Community & Health Services, which won hands down. The second and third place responses were Social Participation and Housing.

Siclinda Canty-Elliott is a volunteer news reporter with the AARP Virginia Virtual Volunteer newsroom.  She lives in the Roanoke area.  Learn more about the Volunteer Newsroom.

 

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