USD Magazine Summer 2012

AROUND  THE PARK

For 27-year-old Jesse Cottle ’14, raising awareness of what people in the military go through is job one. About 200 veterans of military ser- vice are currently enrolled at USD.

[ i n t r e p i d ]

he documentary, “Coming Home: The True Story of an EOD Technician,” is not patrol in Afghanistan. It is about the first moments, weeks and by Liz Neely T COMING HOME Marine veteran Jesse Cottle wants the world to know he’s no victim months after he lost both his legs to an improvised explosive device. It is also about his recov- ery and success. But Cottle, now 27 years old, is quick to point out that the film mirrors the stories of many wounded veterans returning home from war: “I hope that it does raise awareness so every- one can see the big picture, what people in the military go through, not just Jesse Cottle.” Directed by Colorado film student and Cottle’s longtime friend Aaron Pendergast, the film was shown on March 23 in USD’s Joan B. Kroc Institute for Peace & Justice Theatre. Co- sponsored by the USD Student Veteran Organization (SVO), the screening included a post-film discussion with Cottle and Pen- dergast. The documentary focuses on July 19, 2009, when the Explosive Ordinance Dis- posal (EOD) technician and his a one-man story. It is not just about that day in July 2009 when Marine Jesse Cottle stepped on a pressure plate while on foot

MARSHALL WILLIAMS

8

USD MAGAZINE