Dominic Fredianelli and Cole Smith hail from a small town on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. As high schoolers, they decided to join the Michigan National Guard with a group of their friends for extra cash and a chance to go to college for free. Soon, they found themselves in Afghanistan, clearing routes for convoys and encountering Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, that often exploded in their path and left them with symptoms of TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury).
Below, they discuss their experiences and offer advice to other young people considering joining the military. Cole and Dominic are featured in the acclaimed independent film Where Soldiers Come From; the trailer can be viewed below and POV will air the film in its entirety on Nov. 10 on most PBS stations.
Why this Student Spoke Out
Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have taken a toll on many of America's young people, who often return with physical and mental injuries.
Video editing by Veronica DeVore
All photos courtesy of POV unless labeled otherwise
Dominic and Cole are Afghanistan war veterans from Hancock, Michigan. Dominic currently attends Finlandia College where he is studying to be an artist, and Cole has been taking classes at Northern Michigan and Finlandia Universities, with a focus on business and marketing.
I think we've been witnessing violence for years, whether in reality through the media or through video games, and I don't think that's a first-hand effect.
I think we've been witnessing violence for years, whether in reality through the media or through video games, and I don't think that's a first-hand effect.
