Veteran-Led Fresno Event Fosters Civilian-Military Collaboration Through Education and Mentorship

The Military Movies on Mondays event in Fresno represented a significant pilot initiative demonstrating how veterans can lead community-based programs that bridge civilian and military populations through structured education and mentorship. Organized by U.S. Army veteran George Ohan with conceptual origins from VetFlicks CEO Marcus Beaufils, another Army veteran with Hollywood film distribution experience, the gathering brought together veterans, civilians, and local youth for what organizers described as safe, ethical, and educational programming. The event's structure emphasized veteran leadership in creating constructive civilian-military engagement opportunities that support reintegration while providing tangible benefits to the broader community.

Educational components included hands-on demonstrations introducing artificial intelligence concepts through "vibe coding" on the platform https://replit.com. During one session observed by a VA employee, participants created non-operational website mockups to illustrate logistical workflows in hospital settings, carefully avoiding any patient data or protected health information. This approach demonstrated how veterans can facilitate technology education while maintaining appropriate boundaries with sensitive institutional systems. Workforce development formed another crucial element, with a Blue-Collar Youth in Trades segment introducing practical career pathways in plumbing, electrical work, and general trades through discussions facilitated by veterans and skilled workers focused on mentorship and employment stability.

The event's community-first approach was reinforced by volunteer staffing and operational support from organizations including the U.S. Army station commander SFC Campos, Fresno Ag hardware store, and the American Legion Gaming Vanguard Post 1337, a veteran-led organization dedicated to supporting veterans and their families through service and mentorship. Additional programming included no-fee participation for local small businesses, recreational gaming, entertainment-industry training led by KP Phagnasay from the Netflix series 'Dahmer,' and screenings of military-themed international short films. The inaugural event concluded with the 'Fathers and Sons' short film receiving the Best Film award, highlighting themes of family, duty, and reconciliation that resonated with the gathering's focus on intergenerational connections.

Positive feedback from Fresno Veterans Affairs Medical Center staff, including Claudia Solis, Brian Becker, and Mark Smith, reinforced the value of peer connection and veteran-led initiatives that support reintegration. As a pilot for a proposed recurring series at local cinemas nationwide, the Fresno gathering demonstrated a scalable model for veteran leadership in community engagement. The event's success has already generated interest from other venues, including Plant City Premiere Lux 8 near Tampa Bay, Florida, indicating potential for broader adoption of this approach to civilian-military collaboration. By emphasizing education, workforce development, and appropriate institutional partnerships, Military Movies on Mondays represents an innovative template for veteran-led community initiatives that benefit both military and civilian populations while supporting successful reintegration.