A veteran-led community initiative in Fresno brought together military veterans, civilians, and local youth for education, workforce exposure, and constructive engagement through a pilot program called Military Movies on Mondays. Organized by U.S. Army veteran George Ohan, a patient at the Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the event originated from an idea by VetFlicks CEO Marcus Beaufils, another Army veteran with Hollywood film distribution experience at NBC Universal. The programming featured hands-on demonstrations introducing participants to artificial intelligence concepts through "vibe coding" on the platform Replit. During one session observed by a VA employee, a civilian participant created a non-operational website mockup to illustrate hospital workflow visualization, carefully avoiding any patient data or protected health information.
Workforce development formed another core component, with a Blue-Collar Youth in Trades segment introducing practical career pathways in plumbing, electrical work, and general trades facilitated by veterans and skilled workers. Additional activities included 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 event culminated with Ryan Curtis and the 'Fathers and Sons' short film team receiving the Best Film award for their exploration of generational bonds, family, duty, and sacrifice.
Community support came from multiple partners including U.S. Army station commander SFC Campos, Fresno Ag hardware store, and American Legion Gaming Vanguard Post 1337, a veteran-led organization dedicated to supporting veterans and families through service and mentorship. All staffing and operational roles were volunteer-based, emphasizing community collaboration over commercial activity. Ohan noted that encouragement from Fresno VA Medical Center staff including Claudia Solis, Brian Becker, and Mark Smith reinforced the value of peer connection and veteran-led initiatives supporting reintegration.
The Fresno gathering served as a pilot for a proposed recurring series intended for Monday screenings at theaters nationwide, with organizers evaluating future iterations emphasizing veteran leadership, education, and appropriate institutional collaboration. Interest has already emerged from Plant City Premiere Lux 8 near Tampa Bay, Florida, indicating potential expansion of the model. The event demonstrated how veterans can lead safe, ethical mentorship while creating inclusive spaces for educational and workforce initiatives that bridge civilian-military divides. This matters because it provides a tangible model for veteran reintegration that leverages military skills for community benefit, addresses workforce gaps through practical trades training, and creates intergenerational connections through shared educational experiences. The initiative's volunteer-based, collaborative approach offers a sustainable template that could be replicated in communities nationwide to strengthen social cohesion while supporting veterans' transition to civilian life.
