American Veterans Media (AVM) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in Philadelphia and Cape May, New Jersey. AVM produces veterans-themed documentary films, television, print, and radio content, Library of Congress interviews, content for academic curricula and live programs.
Comprised of noted military scholars, veterans-themed media entities, veterans, veterans’ advocates, and a production team, their goal is to educate, inform, and enlighten. They aim to reach as many people as possible about the reality and consequences of military service, and its impact on veterans, their families, communities and those they served with. They do this through provocative, realistic, and compelling documentaries and television programming.
American Veterans Media’s latest project, their most ambitious documentary film to date, is “The Longest Yarn.” Directed by Shawn Swords and edited by Art Swanlund, “The Longest Yarn” tells the story of the D-Day Invasion and the Allied campaign to defeat Germany using archival battle footage from libraries worldwide, interviews with family members of veterans who served in World War II and their children who were also veterans of the armed forces, and notable historians and educators. The film also includes location footage from America, France, England, Germany, and Belgium. It explores the cost of victory, the long-term collateral damage to Europe, and highlights the bonds between the Allied forces and the brave people who supported them. It also covers World War II veterans and their family members who served after them, as well as the complexities within these relationships. Central to the film is The Longest Yarn Tapestry, a massive 80-meter (265-foot) traveling wool tapestry created by an army of volunteers from around the world. The tapestry commemorates the 80th anniversary of D-Day and its journey through exhibitions in Europe and the United States, including a highly successful five-month run at The Naval Air Station Wildwood Aviation Museum in Cape May County, New Jersey.
Additional films by AVM include:
“Edison 64,” which tells the story of the 64 students from Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia who were killed during the Vietnam War. They suffered more losses than any other high school in America. The long-term collateral damage from these deaths was devastating and continues to impact the community.
“Remember The 27 Crusaders” follows, recounting the lives, military service, and deaths of 27 American service members who served in Vietnam and graduated from Father Judge High School. Father Judge H.S. suffered more fatalities in the Vietnam War than any other Catholic high school in America.
“The Ralph Galati Story,” which is a biographical documentary that explores the life and military career of former Air Force Aviator and Vietnam Era POW Ralph Galati. Galati was imprisoned in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” for 406 days before being released during Operation Homecoming on March 28, 1973.
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“The Longest Yarn” premieres at the National Constitution Center, 525 Arch Street, Philadelphia, on Friday, May 15, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. The premiere is part of a day-long screening program of Veterans-Themed Documentaries presented by American Veterans Media and The Longest Yarn Committee, Cape May, New Jersey. Also screening is “Edison 64” at 11:00 a.m., “Remember The 27 Crusaders” at 1:30 p.m., and “The Ralph Galati Story” at 4:00 p.m. All screenings are free. Anyone interested in attending can email james@americanveteransmedia.org to reserve a seat.
“The Longest Yarn” premieres at Cape May Convention Hall on Thursday, May 21, 2026, at 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are available at https://thelongestyarncmc.com/.
To learn more about American Veterans Media, visit https://www.americanveteransmedia.org/.