SOUTH RIVER – To create a platform which offers veterans a chance to share their experiences, TV-35 in South River has launched a new show called “Local Spotlight: Our Veterans and Their Stories.”
“It is to showcase veterans and have them tell us about their experiences in the service and what it was like for them when they returned home,” said Christine Shirley, who hosts the program.
Shirley said she was inspired to help create the show because of her father, Ed Shirley, who was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II. She said that throughout her life, he would tell people his stories of what happened during his time in the service.
“[My dad] had so many interesting stories to tell family and friends and he loved to talk about them, but he was a humble man and didn’t want to be filmed. So what he told us I have written down,” Shirley said.
Ruell Brown is a co-producer, co-director and videographer for the show. Kyler Dineen is a co-producer, co-director and editor.
“I had my own experiences being an Iraq War veteran, but there are stories that have survived many years being told by people I’ve met at the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars,” Brown said.
The show’s first episode aired on June 26 on TV-35, according to Shirley.
“It’s very important to our community and to all veterans that they have the opportunity to tell their stories to us and also have something for their families to have recorded for their experiences,” Shirley said.
Shirley said she hopes viewers will learn how important and special veterans are for the sacrifices they have made to ensure the nation’s freedom.
“I feel it is so much a part of history, and the experiences each veteran has is very unique and through their own eyes,” Shirley said. “It’s a way to preserve their stories for their families and history. We welcome families to tell us about their loved one, too, if they have passed on.”
Brown said the episodes will also be available on TV-35’s Video On Demand player on the borough’s website.
“We want to periodically air the show along with other content. We plan on doing marathons closer to Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We also want to have other topics on the ‘Local Spotlight’ as well,” Brown said.
Shirley said, “I am very grateful and blessed to have been given this opportunity by such wonderful people at TV-35. This show is about you. We want to hear from you.”
For more information about the show, contact Christine Shirley at 732-887-1799, email TV35@southrivernj.org, or visit TV-35’s Facebook page.
Contact Vashti Harris at vharris@newspapermediagroup.com.
Host Chrissy Shirley, right, interviewing Korean War Veteran John Scala. ▲
Host Chrissy Shirley interviewing Vietnam War Veteran Ed Reda. ▲
Co-Producer Kyler Dineen, far left, Host Chrissy Shirley, middle and Ruell Brown, far right, creators of the new show 'Local Spotlight: Our Veterans and their Stories.' ▲
