Soldier killed in 2010 is subject of new film - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Soldier killed in 2010 is subject of new film

ROYAL OAK, Mich. — Army Sgt. Michael Ingram Jr. returned home to Michigan on a cold, rainy day as Patriot Guard riders stood in salute of the soldier killed in action on April 17, 2010, while serving in Afghanistan.

This month, a procession of 60 Patriot Guard riders will gather again in his honor, this time arriving at 6:20 p.m. June 29, to Emagine Royal Oak to celebrate a new film about his sacrifice.

Filmmaker Keith Famie and Visionalist Entertainment Productions will premiere a one-hour documentary called “One Soldier’s Story” that tells the story of Ingram, of Newport, and his family.

Ingram, 23, an Army corporal, was promoted to sergeant upon his death.

The premiere also will introduce the public to Mikie’s Minutes, a charity created by the Ingram family in honor of their son. Mikie’s Minutes is a division of Others First, a nonprofit organization that provides free calling cards to members of the U.S. armed forces, allowing them to call their families anytime, anywhere.

The first batch of 12,000 minutes to Army soldiers serving in Afghanistan already has been delivered and the footage is included in the documentary.

“I knew the U.S. Army Special Forces could rapidly distribute these cards across Afghanistan to the places where Mikie would have wanted his cards to go,” said Lt. Col. Fredrick C. Dummar of Fort Bragg, N.C.

Ingram died while on patrol in Kandahar when an improvised explosive detonated near him.

Rick Frazier, founder of Others First, will talk about the mission of Mikie’s Minutes. Also, singer Steve Pichan will perform “Mikie’s Minutes,” a song he wrote for the film, and the VFW Acorn Post 1669 Honorary Color Guard will participate.

“This really is about Mikie’s legacy and about one soldier making things better for those who follow him,” Dummar said.

In addition, former Marine and Vietnam veteran David “Doc” Maloney, a poet and author of “Purple Hearts/Broken Hearts,” will address the audience.