FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Combat to Camera: PPSC Partners with Patton Veterans Project so Local Veterans Can Share Their Stories Through Film
COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – Pikes Peak State College (PPSC) welcomes the Patton Veterans Project (PVP) for a weekend “I Was There” filmmaking workshop, June 20–22, 2025, at the Centennial Campus. The workshop empowers veterans to share meaningful service experiences through short films—and invites the public to experience those stories firsthand at a free screening on Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6pm.
Led by filmmaker Benjamin Patton—grandson of WWII’s General George S. Patton, Jr.—and a team of award-winning instructors, the “I Was There” Film Workshop gives veterans a creative, collaborative space to process their stories. The resulting short films, often fictionalized, are deeply personal and entirely veteran-directed.
“This workshop isn’t just about making films, it’s about building connections,” says Patton. “Every veteran has a story, and many discover that their own experiences resonate deeply with others. Through filmmaking, they can express what they’ve been through, find camaraderie, and feel heard.”
The three-day event is free for participants, including meals, and is limited to 18 veterans to ensure hands-on engagement. Veterans of all service eras and ranks are encouraged to apply. Since 2012, PVP has hosted more than 50 workshops across the country, helping nearly 1,500 veterans produce over 300 short films. The completed films will debut at a community screening on July 10, 2025, at 6pm at PPSC’s Centennial Campus Theatre. The screening is free and open to all, followed by a meet-and-greet reception with the filmmakers.
“At PPSC, we’re always looking for meaningful ways to support our military students,” says Paul DeCecco, Director of Military and Veterans Programs. “Partnering with the Patton Veterans Project offers a creative and therapeutic outlet where veterans can share their stories and find connection.”
Workshop Details:
June 20–22, 2025 | Pikes Peak State College, Centennial Campus, Room A140 ((5675 S Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906) | Open to all military veterans (space limited to 18)
Screening Details:
Thursday, July 10, 2025, at 6pm | PPSC Centennial Campus Theatre (5675 S Academy Blvd., Colorado Springs, CO 80906) | Free and open to the public
To register for the workshop, contact Mike Leeman at 970-657-5500 or email workshops@pattonveteransproject.org. Learn more about the program at pattonvets.org.
About Pikes Peak State College (PPSC):
Established in 1968 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Pikes Peak offers associate degrees, certificates in career and technical fields and a growing number of bachelors’ degrees. With four campuses, various off-campus locations, two military education centers, and hundreds of online classes, PPSC provides access to a quality, affordable and flexible education to more than 17,000 students annually with both credit and non-credit classes.