Frequently Asked Questions

 Old Grumpy is my 1953 Dodge M37 ¾ ton Weapons Carrier that I use to reach out to Veterans and create awareness in the public eye about the impact of PTSD on the Veteran Community. She is the flagship of a growing fleet of steel, four-wheeled teddy bears!

Old Grumpy has recently been joined by "Homer", a 1942 Dodge WC-54, and "Old Lumpy", a 1952 Dodge M43 3/4 ton ambulance, both owned by Rob Gemmell.

I launched the Old Grumpy Project in memory of five Brothers in Arms, all of whom I loved dearly, who lost their fight against their PTSD demons.

Using Old Grumpy, I collaborated with the local filmmaking community to disseminate information about PTSD, collate resources, create connections between organizations, both structured and unstructured, that help those struggling with PTSD know what, exactly, they are dealing with, and that they are not alone.

The Project ended, but the Mission continues.

Currently, the Team consists of Founder and Host Bill Benson, (Combat Veteran of the United States Marine Corps and United States Army), Ken Plager (Vietnam-era Veteran of the United States Army), Rob Gemmell (Veteran of the United States Army), Amy Sherman (Actress, Model, and Proud Army Mom!)

The Old Grumpy Project’s mission was primarily to collate information in the Spokane local area to help combat PTSD-related suicides and the other issues that impact the lives of those people who are suffering from PTSD; however, as a collaboration between veteran and filmmaker, the Old Grumpy Project offered something to our filmmaking community as well.

A local filmmaker and advisor to the team, Daniel Schaefer, is heading up the effort to attract more filmmakers to the Spokane area to take advantage of our diverse opportunities in this part of the Pacific Northwest. He also leads the effort to bring more veterans into filmmaking's various occupations and positions.  Various governmental organizations provide funding opportunities to incentivize filmmaking in the local area, and Danial continues to strive to locate that funding and bring it into our community. For more information, contact him at http://www.outlierimagery.com.