THE DOCUMENTARY

My name is Kelly Rundle.  My wife, Tammy, and I are Emmy® nominated historical documentary filmmakers.  Our films tell important and timeless Midwestern stories.  We have completed four award-winning documentaries (Country School: One Room - One Nation; Lost Nation: The Ioway 1, 2 & 3; Villisca: Living with a Mystery).  Our new feature-length film project, Hero Street (working title), is a subject close to our hearts and home.  I grew up next door to Silvis, Illinois and we currently reside in nearby Moline.  And, some of my high school classmates share the same surnames as the Hero Street Eight.

Only a block and a half long, Second Street in Silvis, Illinois lost six young men in World War II and two in the Korean War, more than any other street in America.  Hero Street, as it is now known, has provided more than 100 American military service members since the Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

Hero Street will explore the personal and family sagas behind each of the eight heroes and tell the compelling true story of an ongoing struggle to memorialize Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Soliz, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Hero Street will combine interviews with family members, friends, veterans, community leaders and historians with vintage photos, motion picture film, and other archival materials to tell an unforgettable story of American courage, character and perseverance.

All of our films are shown in movie theaters, universities, and other venues throughout the U.S.  They are also released nationally on DVD and they are broadcast on PBS stations throughout the region.

TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE

We are losing our WWII veterans and people who remember that era at a rapid rate. Time to preserve the stories of these brave men and women is growing short.  Hero Street is one of those important stories!  With very limited funding in hand, we have begun shooting on-camera interviews with the elderly siblings of the Hero Street Eight. Three potential interviewees have passed already this year.  

We have had success previously with grants for our projects, but contributions from individuals interested in the subject are equally important.  This is our first time using a crowd-funding website, and we have set a modest goal that we hope you will want to help us meet and exceed.

This campaign will provide a portion of funds needed for additional local research and travel, and more urgent winter-time on-camera interviews with the families and friends of the Heroes.  

We know you will enjoy the perks we are offering to thank you for your contribution!  The Hero Street pins and patches are particularly awesome.  There are also signed Hero Street postcards, posters, and Hero Street DVDs. We are also offering website and onscreen credits and premiere event tickets.

There are also a limited number of Executive Producer credits available for large contributions.

Every contribution helps move this project closer to completion and release in 2014/2015!  As mentioned above, we want to meet and exceed the $2,000 goal set for this initial campaign.  Can you help us spread the word?

CAN YOU HELP?

We can't make Hero Street without YOU.  YOU can help us preserve this important and timely story.  And, YOU can help us spread the word about this important campaign to your family and friends.  Be sure to use the Indiegogo SHARE tools!

YOU can help us honor the eight Mexican-American heroes from Second Street, and all of those who have served and continue to serve.

Thank YOU very much for helping us bring this inspiring American story to the silver screen!