search
Donate

Communiqué

After his unit lost 17 men in Afghanistan, a veteran will “Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen” on INDEPENDENT LENS – Nov. 11 at 10 pm


Posted on:

< < Back to

MARINE COPES WITH TRAGEDY AND SURVIVOR’S GUILT IN

“MAKE PEACE OR DIE: HONOR THE FALLEN,”

PREMIERING NOVEMBER 11 at 10:00 PM ON PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS

Debuting on Veterans Day, the Documentary Follows a Marine’s Journey to Memorialize Fallen Comrades

In a powerful tribute to sacrifice and healing, the gripping and personal documentary “Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen” will mark Veterans Day with a poignant exploration of duty, loss, and remembrance, on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS.

Adań (right) and Yolanda Gonzales are the parents of Sergeant Adań Gonzales, Jr., (seen in photo) a member of the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, killed in action during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on Aug. 7, 2011. Next to them is a curio cabinet filled with mementos of their son's service and a battlefield cross sculpture carved by chainsaw artist Anthony Marquez, a Marine veteran from Gonzales' unit. Marquez carved 17 such sculptures, all inscribed with the roman numeral XVII, for the 17 members of their unit killed in action. They are seen here in their home in Marysville, Washington, on Sat., April 13, 2024.
Yolanda Gonzales and Adan Gonzales, Sr. holding a photo of their son Sgt. Adan Gonzales, Jr. Gold Star parents of Sgt. Gonzales, who was killed in Afghanistan on August 7th, 2011.

Directed by Manny Marquez, the documentary follows the emotional journey of his brother, Marine Anthony Marquez, who, was deployed to Sangin, Afghanistan, in 2011. His unit, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, suffered the tragic loss of 17 Marines. Haunted by their deaths, Anthony returned home with a mission to honor his fallen comrades. Over the span of three years, he carved and hand-delivered battlefield crosses to the Gold Star families of each Marine.

“Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen” debuts on PBS’s INDEPENDENT LENS on Veterans Day, November 11, 2024, at 10 p.m. (check local listings). The film will be available to stream on the PBS app.

The film captures Anthony’s continued dedication as he embarks on a 10- year anniversary road trip with his brother Manny. Their journey revisits the families, offering a means to memorialize their loved ones and share their stories with the world. The film not only illuminates the profound impact on the families that have lost a loved one overseas, but also showcases Anthony’s personal progress toward healing as he reconnects with fellow Marines and reflects on their shared experiences.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Anthony Marquez, a dog handler with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 8, hands an Afghan girl a piece of candy during a vehicle checkpoint in Sangin, Afghanistan, June 17, 2011. The Marines conduct frequent patrols through the area to show a presence and interact with the community to find ways to help the local populace. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Nathan McCord / Released)
Anthony Marquez with his dog, Allie, giving candy to an Afghan child.
Credit: Nate McCord (USMC)

“‘Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen’ is a compelling testament to the enduring bonds of brotherhood and the ongoing quest for peace amidst the scars of war. This Veterans Day, audiences will witness a deeply moving story of honor, resilience, and the search for closure,” said Lois Vossen, executive producer.

Director Manny Marquez states: “It was so important for us as the filmmakers to make a film that could appeal to all Americans. After 20 years of war in Afghanistan and Iraq, our nation is divided in ways I couldn’t have imagined. My goal was to show that there are service members and Gold Star families out there that are still hurting from the loss of their loved one. We as a nation need to learn to walk with our neighbor again. This film is not anti- war, nor pro-war. This film is pro-empathy and pro-healing.”

Visit the “Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen” page on INDEPENDENT LENS to learn more about the film.