Wingspan Portfolio Advisors, Wingspan Gives Back and the Mortgage Bankers Association have partnered to create the Hall of Honor Awards Program to recognize executives and leaders in the mortgage industry who support the men and women of our military. The Hall of Honor Awards program made its debut at the MBA's Mid-Winter Housing Finance Conference in March 2014, in Colorado. We honored those who are making a difference in building a bridge between the marketplace and the military. As a community service, each Hall of Honor event also included a screening of "The Hornet's Nest," a feature film that follows Peabody and Emmy Award-winning ABC News Journalist Mike Boettcher and his son Carlos Boettcher, who were armed only with their cameras when they were embedded with U.S. forces fighting on the front lines in Afghanistan amid the constant threat of the Taliban. The film depicts a true story of survival for the soldiers, and for the father and son team who seek to re-connect under the most harrowing of circumstances.
In a joint statement, "The Hornet's Nest" Co-Directors/Producers Christian Tureaud and David Salzberg added, "It is truly an honor to team up with Wingspan for these free screenings of "The Hornet's Nest." We can't wait to give audiences an early sneak peak at this inspiring first-hand account of what's happening in Afghanistan. This film gives you a never-before seen look at the sacrifices, patriotism and dedication our troops face every day in battle."
"We've heard from so many of our service men and women across the country how inspiring this film is and we can't wait to share it," add Tureaud and Salzberg. "The film opens your eyes through a non-political perspective, and people come out of the experience saying, 'How can we help?'"
A special thank you goes out to all of our Hall of Honor Founders whose sponsorship and support have made the program possible.
The service men and women who see this film are moved — often to tears, and their reactions have been overwhelmingly positive. They are so proud that someone is telling their story.
"The Hornet's Nest is a riveting, powerful film that every American should see."
— Dr. William Perry, Former Secretary of Defense under President Clinton and Current National Security Advisor
"Watching the movie was very personal for me since I knew a lot of the guys on the screen. I have seen it six times and now it is therapeutic for me. Watching the movie makes me feel better to know that there is legacy for those that have fallen and their families."
— Jaeman Raynor, United States Military Veteran
"This film is and will be a phenomenal picture for a wide audience across the country. It is dramatic, unscripted, visceral and real. Nothing I have ever seen comes close. People in the general public who have so far been deprived of knowing and understanding what is happening in Afghanistan will be awed. It achieves what no screenplay can; it places you in the most harrowing combat scenes against a hostile enemy in the most complex terrain imaginable where buddies fight for each other's survival and mission accomplishment."
— Col. J.B. Vowell, a career ARMY infantry officer and commanding officer of the Task Force No Slack in the 101st Airborne Division
"Everyone, especially non-military, should see this movie. Unless you've fought in a war, you have no idea what our service men and women go through, how close they become, or the incredible lengths to which they will go for one another."
— Donna Walker, Gold Star Mother