What I Want You to Know
The documentary “What I Want You to Know” is a heartbroken love letter from 13 Iraq and Afghan veterans to the American public. With searing candor, they share stories from their deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan – and the moral injury that came from being asked to betray their sense of what is right, resulting in a sense of alienation upon return home and high levels of suicide. Their call to action is that we all be better citizens, and actually insist that our government not deploy citizen soldiers into unnecessary wars.
In honor of America’s current and past service members this Veterans Day, the Quincy Institute held a discussion about this important new film, featuring executive producer and combat veterans Tommy Furlong and Travis Weiner, and director Catie Foertsch. Gregory Daddis, Quincy Institute board member, director of the Center of War and Society at San Diego State University, and former official Army historian of the Iraq war, moderated the discussion.
Topics
Panelists
Capt. Tommy Furlong
Tommy Furlong is an Executive Producer of What I Want You to Know who served as an Infantry Officer with 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment from 2008-2011. He deployed in 2010 to Afghanistan as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Weapons Platoon Commander and Fire Support Team Leader. Tommy left the Marine Corps in 2011 as a Captain, and worked for Mass General Hospital and the Red Sox Foundation's Home Base Program.
Sgt. Travis Weiner
Travis Weiner is an Executive Producer of What I Want You to Know who served with the 502nd Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division from 2004-2009, with two deployments to Iraq. Travis left the army in 2009 as a Sergeant. He attended the University of Massachusetts, earning his degree in 2012, then worked for the Boston-based Home Base Program as a Veteran Outreach Worker/Peer Support Specialist.
Catie Foertsch
Catie Foertsch is the Director and a Producer of What I Want You to Know. A former journalist and veteran commercial filmmaker who lives in greater Boston, this is her first feature-length documentary film.
Gregory Daddis
Gregory A. Daddis is director of the Center of War and Society at San Diego State University, where he holds the USS Midway Chair in Modern U.S. Military History. He served 26 years in the U.S. Army before entering academia.