Diaries of the Next Greatest Generation

Posted on 11/11/20 by Geneva Diaz

Wednesday, November 11 at 3:15 pm AKDT Sky Blossom 

There are more than 5.5 million military caregivers in the United States according to an analysis by Rand Corporation. Their voices are different, but they share a similar story of struggle and resilience.

Sky Blossom is an AARP sponsored movie focused on veteran caregiving. It is a raw, uplifting window into children and millennials stepping forward as frontline heroes, caring for veteran family members with tough medical conditions. The world premier virtual screening will be held Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 7 to 9 p.m. ET and limited number of free tickets are available for the virtual showing. Register here.

The film is a candid look at the 24.5 million teens and twenty-somethings caring for a veteran parent or grandparent. Caring for family with tough medical conditions, they stay at home doing things often seen only in hospitals. They are cheerleaders, work part time, and go to college — but also live double lives — quietly growing up as America’s next greatest generation.  

Richard Lui, an AARP caregiving champion and MSNBC news anchor, is the director of the documentary and calls Generation Z and Millennial military caregivers “the next greatest generation.”

“Sky blossom is a term used in World War II when paratroopers would come to assist allied ground troops. They would say, ‘Look up in the sky, here comes sky blossoms,’ Lui said. “This generation of caregivers is coming to help… They are blossoming as people. They are blossoming as caregivers and that’s why I say they are the next greatest generation.”

Variety magazine named Sky Blossom as a top contender for an Academy Award for Best Documentary. The premiere will feature an exclusive pre show for AARP Members, including a conversation with Lui. The star-studded event will also feature Senator Elizabeth Dole and  actor David Hyde Pierce, an executive producer of Sky Blossom.

Register here.

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This story is provided by AARP Alaska. Visit the AARP Alaska page for more news, events, and programs affecting retirement, health care, and more.

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