Hero Street: A Historical Documentary Film Series

Veterans Day Program to be held at Hero Street November 11th

The City of Silvis has announced that it will hold a special Veterans Day Service at Hero Street Memorial Park in Silvis, Illinois on Saturday, November 11 at 11:00 a.m.

Col. Daniel Mitchell, Commander, U.S. Army Garrison Rock Island Arsenal will join U.S. Congressman Eric Sorensen, and Brian Munos U.S. Navy (Ret.) for the special service honoring our military Veterans.

Those who attend the service are reminded to bring lawn chairs.

Veterans Day is a federal holiday in which Americans recognize those who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free.” ~Dan Lipinski

Davenport Civil Rights Commission presents Emmy-nominated “An Infantryman from Hero Street” Oct. 28

 

Emmanuel Juarez as Joe Sandoval of Hero Street in Silvis, Illinois.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street”, a new Emmy-nominated documentary by filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, will screen Saturday, October 28th at 3:00 p.m. at the Davenport Public Library—Eastern Avenue Branch, 6000 Eastern Avenue, Davenport, Iowa. A Q&A with the Rundles will follow the film. This special event is free to the public and sponsored by Davenport Civil Rights Commission.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street,” the fourth episode in the "Hero Street" documentary series, tells the true story of Pvt. Joseph Sandoval who was born in a boxcar to Mexican immigrants in the Silvis, Illinois rail yard. In 1944 Joe, married with two young sons, was drafted and shipped to Britain with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. His unit helped fight the second stage of the Normandy Invasion in France. In April 1945, the Allied forces reached an agreement regarding post-war Germany, and Joe and his fellow soldiers were told the war was essentially over. Joe was killed just days later during a German counter attack near the Elbe River in Schönebeck, Germany. In the two weeks that followed, U.S. and Russian troops shook hands across the Elbe, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide.

Brothers Eric and Emmanuel Juarez star as brothers Frank and Joe Sandoval in the Emmy-nominated "An Infantryman from Hero Street".

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 over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Emmy Award-winning Fourth Wall Films explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

“[The Rundles’] beautiful Hero Street series will be a monumental, lasting legacy to ensure that current and future generations will be sure to recognize and salute the selfless patriotism of these families, showing an inspiring example to us all.” Jonathan Turner, Digital News/Entertainment - WHBF

Joe Sandoval and his wife Nellie.

"An Infantryman from Hero Street" stars Emmanuel Juarez as Joseph Sandoval, Eric Juarez reprising his role as Joe’s brother Frank Sandoval, and actor Matt Walsh as Lt. Frank Houcek. The film features commentary by First Army Support Command Historian Captain Kevin Braafladt, Rock Island Arsenal; author Marc Wilson “Hero Street, USA”; author Carlos Harrison "The Ghosts of Hero Street"; author/historian John C. McManus “September Hope”; and members of the Sandoval family.

The “Hero Street” theme music was scored by Emmy® nominated composer William Campbell of Davenport. WQPT-PBS provided its broadcast studio for filming portions of the documentary. WQPT’s Lora Adams assisted with production, and Chris Ryder created special visual and sound effects. WQPT previously partnered with Fourth Wall Films in 2015 to co-produce the Mid-America Emmy nominated "Letters Home to Hero Street”.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” was funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly; a grant from the Moline Foundation; and, through its fiscal sponsor the Black Box Theatre, a Quad City Arts Dollars grant provided by Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John Deere.

Tammy & Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films at the Emmys.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and four-time Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

LA Times: 14th OC Film Fiesta finds a home for this year’s ‘amazing lineup’

Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films are honored that their Emmy-nominated documentary "An Infantryman from Hero Street" is among the films being showcased at the 14th Annual OC Film Fiesta in Santa Ana, California. The documentary screens in the Documentary Short Block on Saturday, October 14th at 6:00 p.m. More information can be found at https://masamedia.org/ocfilmfiesta2023/.

  
Manny Juarez portrays Joseph Sandoval in AN INFANTRYMAN FROM HERO STREET.

"We are very proud of all involved in "An Infantryman from Hero Street: Joseph Sandoval's Story". This film could not have been completed without the generous support of our contributors; our grantors the Illinois Humanities, the Moline Foundation; our actors: Emmanuel Juarez (Joe Sandoval), Eric Juarez (Frank Sandoval), and Matt Walsh (Lt. Houcek); our historians: Marc Wilson, Capt. Kevin Braafladt, John C. McManus and Carlos Harrison; and Joe's family who so graciously shared their memories and photos in the film: Georgia Sandoval Herrara, Tanilo Sandoval, Irene Mawson and Henry Sandoval. We are deeply grateful to ALL of those who have been so supportive of the work on this film and the entire Hero Street documentary series." Kelly & Tammy Rundle

A great write-up on the OC Film Fiesta appeared in the Los Angeles Times October 5th. We have included an excerpt here. You can read the rest of the article by clicking on the LA Times link below!

Los Angeles Times
BY SARAH MOSQUEDA STAFF WRITER 

A still from “100 Ways to Cross the Border,” directed by Amber Bay Bemak, is among the films screening at 14th annual OC Film Fiesta. (Courtesy of Media Arts Santa Ana)

For the past 13 years, the annual OC Film Fiesta has taken place all around Orange County.

“We started in 2010 with the focus of celebrating the anniversary of the Mexican Revolution of 1901,” said Victor Payan, director of Media Arts Santa Ana (MASA) and founder of the OC Film Fiesta. “So we had a lot of films about Mexico and the revolution, but from around the world, and from that we have gone on to showcase different cultures that are in Orange County.”

Touted as “the premier cinematic celebration of the nation’s diversity and multicultural heritage” and presented by MASA, the 14th OC Film Fiesta takes place virtually and in-person from Oct. 12 to 29, featuring films from Mexico, Argentina, Valenzuela, Italy, Spain, Greece, Iran, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and Taiwan.

This year’s Film Fiesta includes everything from features, shorts, documentaries and experimental films dealing with human stories, comedy, artist profiles, history, rock music, surfing, police brutality, immigration and refugees.

“We received a record number of entries from around the world this year, and we are excited to once again offer an amazing lineup of independent films that truly deliver on representing Orange County,” Payan said.

Film lovers can find festival passes, which provide priority admission to all festival screenings and events, for $75 at ocfilmfiesta2023.eventive.org. A Virtual Only pass is available for $50.

“TVGB’s is a digital makers space, and this is the second year we are having the festival in our space,” said Payan. “It is centrally located, 17th and Main (Santa Ana, California), close to the Bowers, close to Santa Ana College.”

Read the rest of the LA Times story by clicking HERE!

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 over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

To purchase the documentaries on DVD click HERE.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” by Emmy-winning QC Filmmakers Screens at Silvis Library August 21

“An Infantryman from Hero Street”, a new documentary by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, will screen Monday, August 21 at 6:00 p.m. at the Silvis Public Library, 806 1st Ave, Silvis, Illinois. A Q&A with the Rundles will follow the film. Seating is limited. The documentary recently received an Emmy nomination.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street,” the fourth episode in the "Hero Street" documentary series, tells the true story of Pvt. Joseph Sandoval who was born in a boxcar to Mexican immigrants in the Silvis, Illinois rail yard. In 1944 Joe, married with two young sons, was drafted and shipped to Britain with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. His unit helped fight the second stage of the Normandy Invasion in France. In April 1945, the Allied forces reached an agreement regarding post-war Germany, and Joe and his fellow soldiers were told the war was essentially over. Joe was killed just days later during a German counter attack near the Elbe River in Schönebeck, Germany. In the two weeks that followed, U.S. and Russian troops shook hands across the Elbe, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide.

The documentary stars Emmanuel Juarez as PFC Joseph Sandoval, Eric Juarez reprising his role as Joe’s brother PFC Frank Sandoval, and actor Matt Walsh as 1st Lt Frank Houcek. The film features commentary by First Army Support Command Historian 1st Lt Kevin Braafladt, Rock Island Arsenal; authors Marc Wilson “Hero Street, USA”, Carlos Harrison "The Ghosts of Hero Street" and John C. McManus “September Hope”; and members of Joe Sandoval’s family, including Tanilo Sandoval, Henry Sandoval, Georgia Herrera and Irene Mawson.

The “Hero Street” film serie’s opening theme was scored by award-winning and Emmy® nominated composer William Campbell of Davenport.

WQPT-PBS provided its broadcast studio for filming portions of the documentary. WQPT’s Lora Adams assisted with production, and Chris Ryder created special visual and sound effects. WQPT-PBS previously partnered with Fourth Wall Films in 2015 to co-produce the Mid-America Emmy nominated "Letters Home to Hero Street” which tells the story of Frank Sandoval who died while serving in Burma, India during WWII.

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 over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

Emmy-winning filmmaker to speak at Hispanic Chamber's Speaker's Series luncheon July 10

Tammy & Kelly Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films have been awarded four regional Emmys for their documentary work.

Story by: Jonathan Turner
WHBF-TV4 OurQuadCities.com

The Greater Quad Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce will present Moline filmmaker Kelly Rundle with Fourth Wall Films on Monday, July 10, in the next multicultural speaker series.

The presentation will focus on Fourth Wall Films sharing their story about building connections in the Latino community and creating a multi-part Hero Street historical documentary film series. Rundle will discuss how they built new relationships and established trust with the Hero Street families and members of the community.

Moline-based Fourth Wall Films has completed four films so far in the planned nine-documentary series on the Hero Street war heroes.

The Multicultural Speaker Series seeks to provide an opportunity for attendees to enhance cultural awareness, fulfill diversity education needs, increase integration into the community, and expand networks across community sectors, according to a Thursday release from the Hispanic Chamber. The Multicultural Speaker Series is sponsored by Black Hawk College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges District and WQPT is a media sponsor.

REGISTRATION REQUIRED: The Multicultural Speaker Series will be held at noon Monday, July 10th, at Black Hawk College in the Sustainable Technology Building Rooms 113/114, 6600 34th Ave., Moline. Admittance for the event, which includes lunch, is $15 for Hispanic Chamber members and $20 for non-members. Group and student rates are available for the Hispanic Chamber series. To find out more or to register for the July 10 event, visit www.gqchcc.com or call 563-214-5160.

Read the rest of WHBF reporter Jonathan Turner's story HERE!

A special guest to visit Hero Street on Friday

Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil is the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago.

By Jonathan Turner
WHBF, OurQuadCities.com

On Friday, May 26, at 11:30 a.m., there will be a special wreath-laying ceremony at the Hero Street Monument and Hero Street Memorial Park, Silvis.

Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil is the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago and will visit Hero Street for the ceremony. This is the first time a Consul General of Mexico has ever visited Hero Street.

Maria Mier Llaca of Moline arranged the event, since she often attends Mexico’s Independence Day festivities in September, in Chicago or other cities. She first met Ambassador Torres in 2019 and kept in touch with her. Llaca’s father brought the Mexican Consul General from Chicago to Moline for a visit over 50 years ago.

“I mentioned that we had seven Mexican-Americans who were killed in action from that street. But one of them happened to be a Mexican national when he was killed. He was not an American citizen,” Llaca said Tuesday of the Hero Street Eight. “So that caught her eye. And so I have to tell her, if you ever would like to come to that part of the area, call me and I’ll be more than happy to arrange something, but we kept as friends. We kept up our friendship.”

Read the rest of the WHBF story HERE!

~ ~ ~

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

ORDER THE DVD HERE!

Hero Street Memorial Day Weekend Ceremonies include visit by Mexican Ambassador Reyna Mendivil

Special Wreath-laying Ceremony ~ Friday, May 26, 2023 at 11:30 a.m., Hero Street Monument and Hero Street Memorial Park, Silvis, Illinois.

From the City of Silvis: "Ambassador Reyna Torres Mendivil is the Consul General of Mexico in Chicago. Madam Torres will be here visiting Hero Street and doing a wreath-laying ceremony. This is the first time a Consul General of Mexico has ever visited Hero Street. We are blessed to have her here to honor the fallen 8.

Amb. Reyna Torres, Consul General of Mexico in Chicago will be joined by Beatriz Vernon/Press Attache, Slaudia Castillo/Consul for Community Affairs, and Luis Cedeno/Fidel Gutierrez."

Hero Street Monument Memorial Day Ceremony ~ Saturday, May 27 at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. A special Memorial Day Ceremony will be held at the Hero Street Monument, on the corner of Hero Street (2nd Street) in Silvis, Illinois on Saturday, May 27th at 10:30 a.m.  All are welcome!

 

Hero Street Memorial Park Ceremony ~ Saturday, May 27 at Noon.

The City of Silvis will hold it's annual memorial day service at Hero Street Memorial Park at noon. Special guests include State representative Gregg Johnson; Rock Island County State's Attorney Dora Villarreal Nieman; Navy Veteran (retired) Brian Munos; and a Military officer from the Rock Island Arsenal (tba). Please remember to bring your lawn chairs.

 

 

Four Award-winning Hero Street Documentaries Air on WQPT-PBS ~ Memorial Day, Monday, May 29 7 p.m.-9 p.m. 

Four of the completed films from the Fourth Wall Films' award-winning documentary series will air on WQPT-PBS (Channel 24) on Memorial Day: "Riding the Rails to Hero Street", the Emmy-nominated WQPT/Fourth Wall Films co-produced "Letters Home to Hero Street" (Frank Sandoval's story), "A Bridge too Far from Hero Street" (William Sandoval's story), "An Infantryman from Hero Street" (Joseph Sandoval's story).

 

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 over 100 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

We honor the memory of the Hero Street Eight: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños; and all of the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.

HeroStreetMovie.com

 

Hero Street Documentary Official Selection at NW Illinois Film Festival

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” is an Official Selection at the 3rd Annual NW Illinois Film Festival and will screen on Wednesday evening April 18th, 7pm at the Morrison Tech theater in Morrison, Illinois.

"Some of Illinois' most talented Indie Filmmakers are featured at SHORTS-A-PALOOZA 2023!" said Gary Camarano, Executive Director of the NW Illinois Film Office.

“An Infantryman from Hero Street,” the fourth episode in the "Hero Street" documentary series by Emmy Award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films and co-produced with Lora Adams, tells the true story of PFC Joseph Sandoval who was born in a boxcar to Mexican immigrants in the Silvis, Illinois rail yard. In 1944 Joe, married with two young sons, was drafted and shipped to Britain with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. His unit helped fight the second stage of the Normandy Invasion in France. In April 1945, the Allied forces reached an agreement regarding post-war Germany, and Joe and his fellow soldiers were told the war was essentially over. Joe was killed just days later during a German counter attack near the Elbe River in Schönebeck, Germany. In the two weeks that followed, U.S. and Russian troops shook hands across the Elbe, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide.

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 over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

The documentary stars Emmanuel Juarez as PFC Joseph Sandoval, Eric Juarez reprising his role as Joe’s brother PFC Frank Sandoval, and actor Matt Walsh as 1st Lt Frank Houcek. The film features commentary by First Army Support Command Historian 1st Lt Kevin Braafladt, Rock Island Arsenal; authors Marc Wilson “Hero Street, USA”, Carlos Harrison "The Ghosts of Hero Street" and John C. McManus “September Hope”; and members of Joe Sandoval’s family, including Tanilo Sandoval, Henry Sandoval, Georgia Herrera and Irene Mawson.

The “Hero Street” film serie’s opening theme was scored by award-winning and Emmy® nominated composer William Campbell of Davenport.

WQPT-PBS provided its broadcast studio for filming portions of the documentary. WQPT’s Lora Adams assisted with production, and Chris Ryder created special visual and sound effects. WQPT-PBS previously partnered with Fourth Wall Films in 2015 to co-produce the Mid-America Emmy nominated "Letters Home to Hero Street” which tells the story of Frank Sandoval who died while serving in Burma, India during WWII.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

“[The Rundles’] beautiful Hero Street series will be a monumental, lasting legacy to ensure that current and future generations will be sure to recognize and salute the selfless patriotism of these families, showing an inspiring example to us all.” Jonathan Turner, Digital News/Entertainment - WHBF

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” was funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly; a grant from the Moline Foundation; and, through its fiscal sponsor the Black Box Theatre, a Quad City Arts Dollars grant provided by Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John Deere.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and Emmy® winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit HeroStreetMovie.com.

The DVD is also available at https://docublogger.typepad.com/fourth_wall_store/

New "Infantryman from Hero Street" film screens at Moline Public Library on Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day Dec. 7

“An Infantryman from Hero Street”, a new documentary by Emmy® Award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, will screen at noon, Wednesday, December 7^th --National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day--at the Moline Public Library, 3210 41^st Street, Moline. A Q&A with the Rundles and film participants will follow the film. This special Illinois Humanities presentation is sponsored by Friends of the Moline Public Library and is FREE to the public.

 “An Infantryman from Hero Street,” the fourth episode in the "Hero Street" documentary series, tells the true story of Pvt. Joseph Sandoval who was born in a boxcar to Mexican immigrants in the Silvis, Illinois rail yard. In 1944 Joe, married with two young sons, was drafted and shipped to Britain with the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. His unit helped fight the second stage of the Normandy Invasion in France. In April 1945, the Allied forces reached an agreement regarding post-war Germany, and Joe and his fellow soldiers were told the war was essentially over. Joe was killed just days later during a German counter attack near the Elbe River in Schönebeck, Germany. In the two weeks that followed, U.S. and Russian troops shook hands across the Elbe, and Adolph Hitler committed suicide.

Eric Juarez as Frank Sandoval and Emmanuel Juarez as Joe Sandoval in "An Infantryman from Hero Street".

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 over 150 service members since Mexican-American immigrants settled there in 1929.

“Hero Street,” a multi-part documentary series by Fourth Wall Films, explores the compelling true story of eight Mexican-American heroes from Hero Street, USA in Silvis, Illinois: Tony Pompa, Frank Sandoval, William Sandoval, Claro Solis, Peter Masias, Joseph Sandoval, Joseph Gomez and John S. Muños.

Emmanuel Juarez as Joe Sandoval in "An Infantryman from Hero Street".

"An Infantryman from Hero Street" stars Emmanuel Juarez as Joseph Sandoval, Eric Juarez reprising his role as Joe’s brother Frank Sandoval, and actor Matt Walsh as Lt. Frank Houcek. The film features commentary by First Army Support Command Historian Captain Kevin Braafladt, Rock Island Arsenal; Dr. Yurida Ramirez, University of Illinois-Urbana; author Marc Wilson “Hero Street, USA”; author Carlos Harrison "The Ghosts of Hero Street"; and members of the Sandoval family.

Matt Walsh as Lt. Frank Houcek in "An Infantryman from Hero Street".

The “Hero Street” theme music was scored by Emmy® nominated composer William Campbell of Davenport. WQPT-PBS provided its broadcast studio for filming portions of the documentary. WQPT’s Lora Adams assisted with production, and Chris Ryder created special visual and sound effects. WQPT previously partnered with Fourth Wall Films in 2015 to co-produce the Mid-America Emmy nominated "Letters Home to Hero Street”.

The film premiered at the Putnam Giant Screen in Davenport, Iowa on November 12th to a capacity crowd. 

“An Infantryman from Hero Street” was funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities, with support from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly; a grant from the Moline Foundation; and, through its fiscal sponsor the Black Box Theatre, a Quad City Arts Dollars grant provided by Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John Deere.

Fourth Wall Films is an award-winning and four-time Emmy®  Award winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.

"An Infantryman from Hero Street" can be pre-ordered on DVD HERE. It will be released in January 2023.

“Riding the Rails to Hero Street” presented Sept. 21 for Hispanic Heritage Month

Riding the Rails to Hero Street by Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will be presented on Wednesday, September 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Davenport Public Library-Fairmount Street Branch, 3000 N Fairmount St., Davenport, Iowa. The program is free to the public and sponsored by the Davenport Civil Rights Commission and Davenport Public Library.  A discussion will follow the 27-minute film.

Riding the Rails to Hero Street, part one in the Rundles’ Hero Street documentary series, tells the story of the immigrants’ journey from Mexico to Cook’s Point in Davenport, Holy City in Bettendorf, Iowa, and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad train yards and boxcar homes in Silvis, Illinois.  The families experienced both acceptance and discrimination in their new communities. Around the time of the great depression, the families were removed from the rail yards and some moved box cars or built new homes on 2nd Street in Silvis.  Only a block and a half long, the street 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 over 150 service members since World War II.

Eduviges and Angelina Sandoval family of Silvis, Illinois.

The multi-part Hero Street documentary series will explore the personal and family sagas behind 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.

Riding the Rails to Hero Street was partially funded by Humanities Iowa through Fourth Wall Films’ fiscal sponsor the Moline Foundation.

 

Visit www.HeroStreetMovie.com for more information.

Director Kelly Rundle films train footage for "Riding the Rails to Hero Street".