Despite the success of recent box-office hits like "Lone Survivor" and "American Sniper," many former and current members of the armed forces find that Hollywood films often rely on stereotypes and dramatic action that give a very limited picture of military life. The GI Film Festival seeks to combat that problem by featuring a large collection of films that testify to the diverse experiences of the American soldier. 

Film festival for soldiers
The 9th annual GI Film Festival began on Monday, May 18, in the D.C. Metro Area. The week-long festival features film viewings, panels and various other events for attendees, according to the GIFF website. While the festival officially began on Monday and will feature events throughout the week, most of the action is scheduled for Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The GIFF is the first festival in the nation to exclusively use film to share the military experience. With films of varying lengths examining a medley of topics both in and out of war, the GIFF provides a more complete picture of the experiences of servicemembers than what may be seen in more traditional Hollywood-style films. The hope is not only to provide films that past and current military members can relate to, but to better educate the public. 

 "… in a nation where less and less people actually serve in the military, most people don't know what it means to serve," GIFF co-founder Laura Law-Millett told the Washington Post. "By educating the public, it's going to help veterans who are transitioning and returning home and looking for employment. Maybe the person interviewing them or hiring them will have a better understanding of what that veteran has been through. It's really just to bridge that divide between people who have served and people who haven't served." 

A full agenda
This year's festival will include more than 60 films, according to Military Times, and will address everything from historical battles to life after service. Attendees will be able to view projects like "The Haircut," a short film on one of the first women to attend West Point, "Craft in America," a documentary that looks at the healing role of crafts in the military, and the North American premiere of "Kajaki," a film that portrays the true story of the bravery of young British soldiers on Kajaki Dam.   

One of the major struggles that veterans face during life after service is finding a job. With this is mind, lawmakers in Midland, Michigan, have created a bill that will assist retired veterans in familiarizing themselves with their employment benefits. The bill was established by Sen. Jim Stamas and is currently being passed to Gov.Rick Snyder for consideration. 

A bill to assist veterans after deployment
The legislation would push Michigan's Veterans Affairs Agency to send "welcome home" letters to veterans returning home to Michigan from deployment. The letter would include information, including benefits, that will not only assist them in more smoothly transitioning to civilian life, but also remind them of how the state appreciates their sacrifice.

"Our veterans and their families make tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms and way of life, yet many of them face real challenges when returning home from duty," Stamas told MLive. "This reform is part of our ongoing effort to show our appreciation to Michigan's 650,000 veterans by ensuring our state is doing its best to assist their transition into civilian life and new careers."

According to MLive, the Michigan Senate passed Stamas' Senate Bill 52 in March and was recently approved by the Michigan House of Representatives on May 12. The bill is expected to greatly assist veterans, as the letters sent out by the Michigan Veteran Affairs Agency will provide useful tools that will lead retired servicemembers to veterans service organizations. The Veterans Affairs Agency is relatively new to the state, as it was established by Executive Reorganization Order 2013-2, which Stamas implemented in 2013.

"We created the state's Veterans Affairs Agency as a one-stop-shop for veterans, and it just makes sense that our outreach to veterans returning home comes from the agency dedicated to them," Stamas explained to the news source.

Stamas has high hopes for new bill
The executive order established in 2013 also assigns the agency the responsibility of serving as the coordinating office for all of the agencies of the executive branch that handles the service programs for veterans. 

"I sponsored this legislation to help better connect veterans with the benefits they earned and employment and education opportunities that can help them live the American Dream that they honorably served to protect," Stamas said.

Both chambers of the Michigan Legislature passed the bill unanimously. Stamas, who represents Michigan's 36th District, including Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Gladwin, Iosco, Midland, Montmorency, Oscoda, Otsego and Presque Isle counties, is confident that Gov. Snyder will show his support for the bill as well. Stamas represented the 98th District in the Michigan House of Representatives for three years and was then elected in 2014 to take the place of U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar for his first term in the Michigan Senate.

Michigan veterans who want to learn more about the bill or have questions pertaining to how the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency works can visit the agency's website for assistance. 

It can be difficult for a military spouse to find work. Whether it is the regular moves, single-parent duties or an attempt to go back to school, spouses often need flexible hours if they are looking to add extra income, something that can be difficult to find in this economy. Luckily, Uber wants to help. 

What it is
Uber is a technology company that matches drivers with people who are seeking rides. Unlike a traditional taxi service, drivers can use their own vehicles and choose their own hours. This makes the company a desirable option for people looking for extra income who are unable to work 9 to 5. 

After announcing its UberMILITARY program, which aimed to help vets and inactive military members earn extra income, in September 2014, Uber is now partnering with military families through the UberMILITARY Families Coalition. The new campaign seeks to help people in this demographic take advantage of the flexible hours offered by the company to earn additional income for their families. 

According to the Uber blog, the company is partnering with Hiring Our Heroes, Blue Star Families, National Military Family Association and American Military Partner Association in the effort to assist military families in the U.S.

"Military spouses face significant challenges with employment due to their service members' frequent moves, and the UberMILITARY program is a unique and innovative way to help address these challenges," said American Military Partner Association President Ashley Broadway-Mack in the AMPA blog. "AMPA is proud to partner with Uber for this program, helping make a difference in the lives of our modern military families who sacrifice so much for our nation."

How it can help
In addition to employment, the Families Coalition will provide rides for military spouses and family members to career fairs and other events, establish alliances with local chapters of the partner organizations and collaborate with the partners to discover new ways to support and empower these families across the country. 

Since initiating the UberMILITARY program eight months ago, Uber reported that drivers in the initiative have already taken home over $35 million and now earn over $1 million a week collectively. 

Military spouses can easily sign up on Uber's website and will be contacted by a company representative.   

Like many soldiers, Desert Storm veteran Phil Ruddock came home from deployment diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. According to his testimonial, the symptoms became so severe that he could no longer work and would just sit at home, angry at the world. But his life changed when a friend brought him a scared, abused pitbull named Mia, and a partnership began.

As Ruddock trained Mia and gained her trust, she in turn would wake him up from nightmares and watch his back when he started to venture off his property again. Through this relationship, Ruddock realized that other vets dealing with PTSD could also benefit from incorporating service dogs into life after service. 

Inspiration from experience
According to Small Business Revolution, Ruddock first started working with existing organizations that provide service animals. But the dogs were often expensive, sometimes carrying a price tag of up to $25,000. It did not make sense to Ruddock that soldiers returning from war with little money should have to pay such an extravagant sum for help. That is where the idea for Brothers and Sisters in Arms Dog Training began.

The nonprofit, founded by Ruddock, is based in Louisiana and aims to improve the life of military veterans, active duty soldiers and any special-needs dependents by providing them with trained service dogs, according to the Brothers and Sisters in Arms website. 

Rather than breed dogs specifically for training, the organization uses calm, teachable shelter dogs that otherwise might be put down. It is a beautiful partnership between a person and a dog who are both looking for healing, and allows for the dogs to be given at no cost to the recipient, reported Small Business Revolution. 

Unlike the majority of service animal organizations, Brothers and Sisters in Arms actively involves the veterans in the training of their animals. By letting the owners train the dog, a stronger bond is created and the owner comes away with a sense of accomplishment that he or she may not have felt since coming back from active service. 

Classes typically run eight weeks and involve the typical training for service dogs, as well as additional commands specifically aimed at helping combat veterans, reported Time magazine. These extra commands include teaching the dog to "block," or create space between their owner and others, and to "cover," or stand at their owner's side or back facing away as a kind of lookout. All classes are one-on-one and taught by veterans, creating a safe environment for the soldier. 

Easing the transition
"When a soldier is deployed or on base, they feel secure because they have all the other soldiers there watching their back. But when they are out of the military, when their spouse goes to work, their kids go to school and they're left alone, they have nobody watching their back," Ruddock told Time. "It makes them very anxious, paranoid. A dog turns out to be their battle buddy and watches their back. It never leaves them, it never judges them, it never asks questions that they don't want to answer. It gives them unconditional love."

Through his work, Ruddock hopes to make a difference in the lives of military families, one soldier and dog at a time. 

You served your country, and now it is time to come home to a different type of duty: your family. Dynamics with your loved ones can be difficult to navigate when returning from deployment. Consider one of these retreats created specifically for military families to help ease the adjustment period. 

Operation Purple Family Retreats
The retreats put on by Operation Purple allow families to learn new communication skills, enjoy the outdoors together and bond with others in similar situations. According to the website, families can take part in a variety of fun activities, from canoeing to birdhouse building, while creating new memories together. The National Military Family Association provides each family with a $200 stipend to help with travel costs. For more information or to apply, visit the NMFA website.

Operation Purple Healing Adventures
These retreats are specifically geared to help families to rediscover fun and intimacy after a member is injured in the line of duty. Through outdoor adventures and specially developed communication strategies, these three-day retreats aim to guide your family after a parent is injured. The healing adventures are free to military families and include food and lodging. Applications can be submitted on the National Military Family Association website. 

Lone Survivor Foundation Retreats
The Lone Survivor Foundation organizes retreats that focus on supporting veterans and service members who struggle with invisible injuries. These can include battles with post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic pain and military sexual trauma, among others, that have devastating effects on both the individual and family.The five-day retreats focus on coping skills, education and reducing the stress symptoms. All military backgrounds and branches are welcome, but there is an emphasis on service members and veterans of Operation New Dawn, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Learn more and fill out the application form at the Lone Survivor Foundation website.

Active Heroes Military Family Retreat Center
If you and your family enjoy camping, consider taking advantage of the Active Heroes Family Retreat Center. Located in Shepherdsville, Kentucky, the 144-acre retreat area is open to the public, as well as military families, allowing current and former servicemen to begin integrating into the public with the safety of military-only "Healing Areas" to retreat to for solitude. Starting in the summer of 2015, the retreat center will be free to military families and outings include a large meal, entertainment and seminars. 

Project Sanctuary
Retreats put on by Project Sanctuary take advantage of the beauty of the Colorado wilderness to help you and your family connect and bond over six days and five nights. Free to military families, the retreats use recreational therapy methods to help bring down walls through fun activities, according to the group's website. Attendees also have access to professional counseling and family support services, such as classes devoted to improving your finances and marriage. Start the application process by visiting the Project Sanctuary website and filling out the initial application. 

Charles Miller, a Gainesville, Florida, native, is an outdoors lover. He spends the majority of his time challenging himself to marathons, hiking trails and bike tours. The 58-year-old Army veteran's active lifestyle began after his eyesight failed, leaving him legally blind. With the help of his persistence and the assistance of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Miller's eyesight has encouraged him to see life in a whole new light. 

A new outlook on life
Miller told Fox News that he is constantly pushing himself to take on new challenges that he knows he would not have been able to tackle a couple of years ago. His dedication and drive are qualities that also came in handy during his time as an Army Infantry Captain, serving for a total of 27 years. 

When his eyesight began to fail, Miller was honorably discharged. He was diagnosed with retinitis pigmentosa, a rare genetic disease that slowly deteriorates the retinas, according to EveryJoe. When he returned home, the VA offered him a spot at the blind rehab facility at Birmingham VA Medical Center. Miller decided it was a good idea and moved in.

It was then that he realized he could sit around and let his blindness control his life or move forward and learn to make the most of his situation. He decided that his new challenge should not have the ability to stop him from living.

"If anyone said, 'you can't do that' I would tell them to give me a chance to try it and I'll do it," Miller told Fox News. Miller was never much of an outdoors person before he moved to the VA rehab center, but he started participating in adaptive sports to help himself stay motivated. The VA helped him build up his confidence and drive to be adventurous. "You can work beyond what you thought were your capabilities, if you have the drive and determination to do so," Miller continued. "To be honest, I'm intimidated by the idea of zip lining, but I hope I'll have the opportunity to try it one day."

VA program helps disabled veterans
The Adaptive Sports Program is offered to injured veterans in Washington, D.C., and 28 states. The program began after the VA gave $8 million in funding to create opportunities for vets with disabilities to learn new sports. 

According to Bruce Davis, the case manager for the VA Visual Impairment Services, the program has filled those adapting to life after military service with the positivity and motivation to focus on their potential instead of what they can no longer do. He noted that many participants are inspired to become involved in volunteer activities or go back to school or work. 

"People at the VA have never treated me like I have a disability, even though I do. I'm exactly like you are, I'm not any better, I'm not any worse," Miller explained to Fox News. "I just have one thing that's different. Everyone has something and mine just happens to be that I can't see."

Miller said that his new love of adventure stems from the feelings he gets when his senses are engaged with his surroundings and his adrenaline is surging. This is when he feels that he can truly see the world again. 

He plans on continuing his adventurous hobbies far into the future with plans to ski and snowboard. Miller also likes to take his son and his friends along with him to enjoy his adventures. He noted that he hopes to learn to surf soon, a sport he has never tried before, and is currently training for a 500-mile bike ride to take place in May.

Beaverton, Oregon, recently announced itself as the Purple Heart City in honor of the veterans who live there. It became official during a ceremony in Veteran's Memorial Park, where a sign was erected declaring the city's new title.

City officials award Purple Heart vets with proclamation
A group of veterans had gathered outside the Beaverton City Council, where they asked city officials to consider making Beaverton a Purple Heart City.

After hearing about their drive, Mayor Denny Doyle informed the veterans that he would do whatever he could to ensure that the Oregon League of Cities heard about their request. He was impressed by the dedication and passion that the veterans put into getting officials to include Beaverton in the Purple Heart Cities. 

Officials did not hesitate to honor them with a proclamation. Now Beaverton is one of eight Purple Heart Cities in Oregon and is currently the largest in the group. 

"Beaverton appreciates the sacrifices our Purple Heart recipients made in defending our freedoms and believes it is important that we acknowledge them for their courage and show them the honor and support they have earned," stated the proclamation.

City Councilor Lacey Beaty told The Oregonian that people often forget that these veterans sacrificed so much for them. Including Beaverton in the list of cities will ensure that the residents never forget what these men and women have done to protect them.

Veterans gather and reflect
Joel Dulashanti, a retired Army sniper, told The Oregonian that this proclamation is a great way to spread awareness of the sacrifices veterans have made fighting for their country. Dulashanti was shot four times during his tour in Afghanistan and lost one of his legs, returning home as a Purple Heart recipient. He is one of the leaders of the drive to make more cities Purple Heart Cities with the ultimate goal of turning Oregon into the Purple Heart State. 

"I believe that this event is going to be a huge deal that will get the ball rolling for a lot of things legislatively throughout our state that'll support our veterans," Dulashanti said in a meeting held to announce the city's new title, according to the news source.

There were eight other Purple Heart recipients who fought in various wars, from Afghanistan to Vietnam, gathered at the meeting. Other veterans also showed up to support the city's decision to honor their fellow vets. 

Purple Heart veteran Allen Bush was also in attendance. He told stories of how he came to the aid of his fellow soldiers after being seriously injured by two grenade explosions during the terrorist attack on Puerto Rico in 1997. Bush received a Silver Star, one of the highest honors in the military, for his act of bravery. However, Bush was humble about his awards, saying that he may have sacrificed his well-being, but many soldiers who received a Purple Heart sacrificed their entire lives.

Tim Smith spent 26 years as an active duty servicemember in the Army. He fought in wars all over the world, including the most recent Iraq wars. After experiencing difficulties due to a lack of finances, Smith was grateful to receive a helping hand from a local program catering to homeless veterans. 

Program rescues veteran from homelessness
Following his deployment, Smith returned to his hometown of Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania, where he made plans to stay with his family. He told Lehigh Valley Live that after a short period of time, limited space caused him to move out and sleep in his car. That is, until the Hope for Veterans program came to his aid.

The Hope for Veterans program is a nonprofit organization based in New Jersey and run by Community Hope. According to Community Hope, the program has provided housing and support services to over 2,000 veterans and their families. The outreach assistant, Kevin Cope, emphasized the importance of helping retired servicemembers find homes during life after military deployment. 

"Sometimes, it's hard for a veteran to ask for help," Cope told Lehigh Valley Live. "Because they have great pride, it's hard to come forward and say, 'Look it, I'm at my wit's end. I need help.' There are a number of veterans out here that we've helped already, but there's a lot more work to do."

Smith was referred to Hope for Veterans by the Veterans Affairs office. He said that it was only a couple of days following his meeting with one of the program's representatives that he was searching for apartments. 

Smith said that his case manager, Janet Swanson, was the reason he got his place so quickly, telling the news source that when landlords would delay a showing, she would manage to change their minds to ensure that he had a place to stay as soon as possible. He noted that her can-do attitude was encouraging and inspiring. She even ensured that he got an apartment close to a bus stop because his truck had recently broke down. The program also provided him with furniture and essential household equipment so he could get right to living comfortably. 

Veteran finds stability and hope
Once Smith had his apartment in place, the next step was continuing his education. The Hope for Veterans program helped him with this too. He is currently enrolled in The Wescoe School at Muhlenberg. After he found out the GI Bill would cover his tuition, the organization provided him with a bus pass to attend daily classes.

"Tim is not abnormal. He's a typical case among homeless veterans in that they can't afford a vehicle. So what other means of transportation are out there?" Cope asked. "Up here, it's bus transportation."

Smith is finally in a good, stable place without being weighed down by stress since returning from war. He gives the credit to the Veterans for Hope program, explaining that he would not be where he is today if it were not for its group of dedicated volunteers. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there were over 6.5 million military veterans living in Tennessee in 2014. The state's government has been working to make life easier for both active duty and retired military servicemembers as this number grows each year. 

New program comes to aid of young servicemembers
The most recent effort by the state government is a bill introduced by the House of Representatives. Referred to as House Bill 8, the legislation will make sure that high school students who train their junior and senior years in the National Guard or who go on to advanced training after their senior year will be eligible to partake in the Tennessee Promise Program.

The program will begin in the fall of 2015, along with the start of the school year. High school graduates will be able to attend a community college at no charge. Other scholarships from the federal Pell program and HOPE, the career development program, do not often cover all of their members' tuition. The state's new program works to cover the rest of their college fees to relieve students of the burden completely. 

Students receive educational mentor 
Many students training for service while in school require assistance keeping their grades up, as the time commitment to their other responsibilities can take a toll on their studies. 

In addition to providing financial support, the new program will serve as an opportunity to learn from a mentor. Volunteers will give the students guidance on an educational and motivational level. Clarksville Online noted that students will also have to complete eight hours of community service each term they are enrolled in the program while maintaining a 2.0 GPA. 

There are close to 660,000 veterans living in Michigan. Around 70,000 of these servicemembers are receiving compensation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, while there are many more who are not accounted for. These disabilities range from mental health conditions, like post-traumatic stress disorder, to physical injuries that have left veterans immobile.

Michigan Warriors program brings hope to veterans 
Residents from Royal Oak, Michigan, believe that disabled servicemembers should be honored for their sacrifices. This is why the city is hosting this year's Guns & Hoses hockey game for the Michigan Warriors Hockey Program. According to HometownLife, the Michigan Warriors is a nonprofit organization that supports disabled veterans who want to play hockey, socialize and remain active after their injuries.

Since its start in 2010, the city's police and fire departments have faced off in the Guns & Hoses game. It has raised funds for a variety of charities, ranging from individual residents in need of support to statewide organizations. However, this year's charity is one of particular importance to Royal Oak Police Sgt. Patrick Stanton, a U.S. army veteran who started the hockey program with firefighter Tony Cattini.

Army veteran Josh Krajewski founded the Michigan Warriors in 2013, driven by his own desire to live life like he did before deployment after being injured. The hockey program for veterans is both developmental and competitive, catering to players of all skill levels. 

Krajewski spent around four years fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq, returning home in 2009. He told the Oakland Press that the focus of the program is not that the players were injured at war, but that they all came together to overcome hardships they had to face upon returning to life after service. Seeing his fellow veterans temporarily forget about their physical or mental disabilities is what makes the program so special. 

"We are completely honored to be chosen by Guns & Hoses and we are going to try to get our whole team out for the game," Krajewski told the Royal Oak Press. "I'd never heard of Guns & Hoses until they contacted me about two months ago and said they wanted to donate to our program. I was absolutely floored by the gesture."

Firefighters and policemen face off for good cause
Stanton joined the players on the ice at one of their practices to see what the team was all about. He told the Royal Oak Press that it was clear the veterans were enjoying themselves and greatly benefiting from the sense of friendship that the program provides. 

"We are playing for men and women who have served their nation with distinction," Stanton explained. "The game is an opportunity to support them, as well as watch some of Royal Oak's police and firefighters support the community and have some fun."

Since the annual game started, the firefighters and policemen have won an equal number of games, the policemen coming on top the last couple of competitions and the firefighters taking the first two.

The Guns & Hoses game has raised around $25,000 so far for its charities. One donation went to a Madison Heights police officer's family after he passed away from severe acute respiratory syndrome. Others were given to multiple autism organizations, the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the Canine Advocacy Program.

The game takes place on April 18 and charges viewers $10. All proceedings will go to the Michigan Warriors. Krajewski is excited to use the donation to keep his members playing throughout the upcoming season.