Amanda M. Usher | The Valdosta Daily TimesActor Ricky Schroder, Army Specialist Jeff Scantlin, documentarian Frankie Gay and Army Pfc. Scott Stenoski attend the inaugural RKDS Film Festival Saturday at Mathis City Auditorium. 

VALDOSTA — The inaugural RKDS Film Festival received a significant visit from actor and writer Ricky Schroder Saturday. 

The festival was hosted by RKDS Entertainment and Media Thursday through Saturday, July 12-14, at Mathis City Auditorium and featured select movies from local filmmakers.

Schroder, who played Ricky Stratton in the television series “Silver Spoons” and starred in “NYPD Blue,” attended to view the debut of “11 Days and a Wake Up.”

The documentary focuses on Army soldiers wounded and killed in the 2008 Battle of Wanat in Afghanistan.

Prior to the film premiere, the actor met with its creator, Frankie Gay, and two surviving soldiers from the Battle of Wanat, Pfc. Scott Stenoski and Specialist Jeff Scantlin.

“I’m here to support all these guys and honor and pay tribute to what happened 10 years ago,” he said. “I’m excited to see the documentary.”

“11 Days and a Wake Up” honors the nine soldiers of the 173rd Airborne 503rd Infantry out of Fort Benning – Chosen Company who were killed in action July 13, 2008, including Gay’s son, Cpl. Pruitt Rainey.

Rainey was 22 years old when he and others were attacked by hundreds of Taliban members 11 days before they were set to return home, Gay said. He was buried July 24, 2008, the day he was supposed to come home.

What began nine years ago as a probe into what happened to Rainey transformed into a full documentary after speaking with soldiers, Gay said.

“I knew that the guys that was on the ground with my son would be honest with me,” he said.

Stenoski was in the Army for three years and eight months. Scantlin is active-duty and joined the Army in 2005. 

Scantlin said it was difficult to film the documentary, adding that Battle of Wanat changed the lives of soldiers and their families.

“We think this is an important enough story that we’re here to support Frankie and this project to make sure that other people hear the story because I think it’ll have a positive effect and (will be) an inspiration to the public to know what happened,” he said.

Scantlin believes “11 Days and a Wake Up” is about resurrecting the stories of the deceased soldiers in an effort to bring about appreciation for their sacrifices.

Hearing the experiences of Stenoski and Scantlin was touching for Schroder, who said he was present at the festival to see the documentary and possibly further the narrative.

“Perhaps one day, there’ll be another story told about the Battle of Wanat,” he said.

Stenoski said the experience in the battle was one that was unique and unable to be replicated.

“We were just there to do our job and it just sucks that we didn’t do it to 110 percent. A lot of good guys fought that day, warriors, like gladiators,” he said.

The Battle of Wanat has affected many, Stenoski said. He said he’s grateful the story is being told. 

Friday, July 13, was a difficult day for Gay as it marked 10 years since his son has passed. Honoring both the living and deceased soldiers is a constant effort, he said.

“As long as the story continues, and as long as our soldiers, even the survivors, names are remembered and talked about, then they never die,” he said.

The nine soldiers who were killed in action are as follows: 1st Lt. Jonathan P. Brostrom, Sgt. Israel Garcia, Cpl. Jonathan R. Ayers, Cpl. Jason M. Bogar, Cpl. Jason D. Hovater, Cpl. Matthew B. Phillips, Cpl. Pruitt A. Rainey, Cpl. Gunnar W. Zwilling and Pfc. Sergio S. Abad.

“11 Days and a Wake Up” was shown for the first time at the RKDS Film Festival, which concluded Saturday, July 14. 

Actor and director Burt Reynolds was also present Saturday to show his film, “The Last Movie Star.”

RKDS director Roy Kirkland said the festival has surpassed his expectations and said the 2019 festival will consist of international films. 

Amanda Usher is a reporter at The Valdosta Daily Times. She can be contacted at 229-244-3400 ext.1274.