[3:39] Steffan first embedded in Iraq in March 2006, to report to his audience firsthand on conditions. He saw our men and women carrying out orders, and also going beyond to fulfil humanitarian missions.

[6:16] At home, an email informed Steffan that a new friend had lost his life to an IED, in the same Humvee they had shared less than a month earlier. Steffan vowed that his mission would be to remember our troops — men and women — and their sacrifices. This has led to incredible experiences.

[10:34] Filming ACRONYM, Steffan had many opportunities to talk and travel with WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan veterans, who spoke to him about wanting to protect our country, the Constitution, and our democracy, but suffered terribly doing so. This day, more than 20 veterans will take their lives, and 75 more will attempt it. Steffan spreads awareness of this tragedy.

[12:39] Steffan’s life changed on April 19, 1995, when the AP ticker reported an explosion in Oklahoma City, at the Murrah Federal Building. Steffan arrived within six hours, and was on site for a week. That was his first tragedy coverage of many. In the aftermath of tragedy, he saw ordinary people become leaders, as they evacuated buildings and saved people’s lives.

[17:53] Some people are born to be leaders, and find leadership positions. Some are thrown into circumstances where leadership is demanded, and step up to the occasion. Some seek leadership position with no motivation for personal gain. Some people do not seek to lead.

[21:04] When Steffan covers people who complain and blame their circumstances, he challenges them. A person can still make a difference, living in this, the greatest country on earth.

[22:51] WWII veteran Joe LaNier grew up in segregated rural Mississippi, grandson of a slave, and became a Navy Seabee. He always looked at life’s positives After interviewing with Steffan, he became the subject of Steffan’s first book and documentary film, Life, Liberty & Resilience. Taking on the dual project “just about killed” Steffan, but he and Joe had great experiences working together.

[29:29] Steffan tells of his early life, and the resilience of his divorced mother, as she provided for him as well as she could. Steffan knows both poverty and comfort. He rejects keeping the hand you were dealt. He creates opportunities, makes things happen, and believes others can, too. Resiliency helps in any hard circumstance. Steffan is an eternal optimist, in part through the examples of people he meets.

[34:00] You can learn optimism by paying attention around you. There’s always someone who is in a worse situation than you. If you see them coping, and being resilient, take a lesson from it.

[37:40] Steffan tells why he likes to create documentary films. His company trademark is Documentary Films That MatterTM. Everybody has a story, and most people have a compelling story. Steffan’s curiosity drives him to discover, explore, and share these stories in documentary form.

“This would be my mission … to remember our troops … as far back as our country goes … the sacrifices [they] made.”

“People in the Press … have a unique opportunity to reach more people, … take on a cause, and make it their own.”

“If we were not successful in WWII, in taking down Germany and … Japan, we would not know the world as it is today.”

“I see how [a very ill friend] is going through life … If our eyes are open, I don’t know how we can’t learn from that.”

“If the story is there, the money will come.”

“We’ve saved 12 veterans, we think, from making the worst choice of their life, and that would be to take their own life.”