By Sean McCarthy

“Moral Injury” is the main idea being highlighted in the documentary, “Almost Sunrise,” the story of two Iraq War veterans who walked 2,700 miles from their homes in Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Santa Monica, California – a trip that took 155 days. The trek featured Tom Voss and Anthony Anderson, a pair of veterans sensing that they were perilously close to ending their lives because of their combat experiences. The journey was a “last ditch effort” to help themselves, and it became a testament to the healing and restorative power of silence and meditation.

“Almost Sunrise” will be shown at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center on Friday, June 1 at 7 p.m. It will be followed by a panel discussion and will culminate with a walking meditation. All of the events are free of charge.

The event is one part of the Zeiterion’s Veterans Experience series which uses the arts to highlight the veterans’ experience. The aim is communicating to citizens what it means to serve our country in war, instill a sense of empathy and appreciation throughout our community and provide pathways for both healing and understanding.

“Moral Injury” is an affliction that affects people from all elements of society. Although it is foremostly associated with military veterans, “MI” has come to be recognized by many other social communities, affecting an array of victims who must deal with their personal behavior that has gone against their moral code, regardless of their position in society.

“This is the first film that really tackles the subject of 'MI',” Voss says. “It’s getting the concept out there. All sorts of people are drawing connections from the concept of having a wounded soul participating in something that goes against their moral code. This is really starting to resonate in a bunch of different communities giving depth to trauma. This film shows that vets are not the only ones going through this thing — a lot of vets isolate themselves because they don’t have anyone to share their experience with. I think it shows that there are men and women going through the same thing they are.”

Collins talks about making human connections with others: “When you feel a connection to someone from a different community there’s suddenly a feeling that they become part of your community, that there isn’t a separation anymore, there’s a feeling that we’re all from the same community. As much as they’re taking care of us it’s our responsibility to do the same for them when they get home. That’s why I love making character-driven films because it gives us a very human perspective of an experience we might not normally have access to in your daily lives.”

"Almost Sunrise" will be shown Friday, June 1, at 7 p.m. at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center, 684 Purchase St., New Bedford. Admission: free, but tickets encouraged. a post-show panel discussion with Dr. Bob Meagher featuring Tom Voss, the documentary subject, and Michael Collins, the film’s director is planned.

All are invited on a contemplative walk and guided meditation led by Tom Voss and Michael Collins of "Almost Sunrise" on Saturday, June 2 at 10 a.m. at Friends Academy, 1088 Tucker Road, North Dartmouth. Experience the restorative, soul-nourishing benefits of expending time in nature, concluding with a guided meditation and breath work. All ages welcome.