Americans will spend Memorial Day weekend reflecting upon the many men and women who sacrificed their lives for our freedom and safety. A new docuseries, “War Heroes,” hosted by Benghazi hero Kris Paronto, honors them in the best way possible: profiling the individuals and the families who supported them. Check out the trailer:
The new docuseries will profile an American hero each episode by “telling their real-life stories at home and abroad,” a press release from Fox Trail Productions explains.
“‘War Heroes’ personalizes American soldiers by telling their real-life stories at home and abroad,” the announcement reads. “Each episode will profile an individual service member or veteran up close and personal, detailing their unique lives, service, and sacrifice.”
The pilot episode tells the story of Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz from Mine Hill, New Jersey, who gave his life to his country while serving in Iraq by way of an IED blast on June 5, 2004. During the episode, host Kris Paronto sits down with Doltz’s family as they share how his life led him to that fateful day of sacrifice.
“They tell his story, sharing personal experiences about this young man, best described as ‘larger than life,'” the release states. “Ryan’s service and dedication to help his fellow soldiers as well as those he never knew continues on through the Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz Memorial Foundation, which was created by his family in his honor.”
More on Doltz’s service and subsequent tour in Iraq, according to the release:
Ryan’s unit was activated in January 2004 to take part in Operation Iraqi Freedom. While training at Fort Dix, he fractured both heels and was sent home. The doctors told him that he would need a wheelchair for six weeks and rehab for six months. Not happy with that prognosis, Ryan set out to prove them wrong and he did.
After finally being released by the doctors, Ryan arrived in Baghdad on April 9, 2004. He was determined to rejoin his unit because he said that he trusted them, and they knew what they were doing.
Ryan’s life ended on Saturday, June 5, 2004, when the vehicle he was driving hit an IED as they were returning to their base. Also killed at that time was SSG Humberto Timoteo. Two other members of his National Guard unit, SSG Frank Carvill and SPC Christopher Duffy, lost their lives on June 4, 2004. Ryan was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart, and the Good Conduct Medal, as well as being promoted to the rank of sergeant. On June 16th, Ryan was laid to rest among our nation’s fallen heroes at Arlington National Cemetery.
Director/producer Jack Thomas Smith says that the series, which is “not scripted and will not have dramatic reenactments,” will honor the men and women whose sacrifices allow Americans to enjoy their daily lives.
“I have always been a strong supporter of the military,” Smith says in the release. “The freedoms we enjoy in our daily lives are because of the brave men and women in uniform. Kris Paronto is a true American hero. It’s an honor to work with him in telling the stories of other true American heroes. ‘War Heroes’ is not scripted and will not have dramatic reenactments. It’s real-life stories about real-life heroes.”
The series host became a national name following the terrorist attack on the American embassy in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11, 2012. Paronto served as part of the CIA annex security team that fended off terrorists for over 13 hours while waiting for U.S. military support. Actor Pablo Schreiber portrayed him in the movie on the harrowing conflict directed by Michael Bay.
“War Heroes” premiered in both Las Vegas, Nevada, and Succasunna, New Jersey, earlier this year to sold-out screenings. The proceeds were donated to Paronto’s 14th Hour Foundation and the Sgt. Ryan E. Doltz Memorial Foundation.
For more information on future screenings or when the show will air on television, follow the “War Heroes” website by clicking here.