Ryan Merriman appears in military tribute “Sons of the Fallen”
Ryan Merriman (Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
State-born actor Ryan Merriman mentors ‘Sons of Fallen’ at camp
Ryan Merriman won’t soon forget his weeklong adventure climbing, camping and biking through the picturesque Rocky Mountains.
But neither the scenery nor the adventure was as unforgettable as the company on the trip: The Choctaw-born and bred actor served as a mentor last year at a free summer camp for boys whose military fathers had died in service to their country.
“These kids are so strong, no pity. They all say, ‘My dad’s a hero and I’m so proud of him. I mean, I miss him and I wish it didn’t happen. But I’ll see him again one day and he watches over me,’” Merriman, 27, said during a recent return visit to his home state.
“They become the man of the house in a way.”
The Colorado camp will be featured in a special event called “Sons of the Fallen: A Live Tribute to Our Military Heroes” that will air at 7 p.m. Tuesday in nearly 500 movie theaters nationwide. Presented by NCM Fathom Events, the two-hour broadcast will incorporate footage taken at the camp, live fireside chats with the boys and mentors and live performances by country singer Clint Black.
“Sons of the Fallen” will be shown Tuesday at AMC Quail Springs 24 and Tinseltown USA in Oklahoma City, Spotlight 14 in Norman and Cinemark Tulsa 17 in Tulsa. It is produced by Conrad Ricketts, executive producer of the uplifting reality TV hit “Exteme Makeover Home Edition.”
“The big networks just didn’t want to touch it. They don’t want to deal with the death of soldiers. But it’s not about that at all, it’s about celebrating these kids,” said Merriman, whose film credits include “Final Destination 3” and “The Ring Two.” and various Disney Channel movies.
Joey “Joey T” Truscelli, a former Marine and ex-IndyCar racer, hosted the camp on his One Good Turn Ranch 4Kids in Divide, Colo. About 25 boys, ranging in age from 7 to 17, came together to honor their fathers’ memories and spend time in the great outdoors, and their adventures were filmed for “Sons of the Fallen.”
“We took them mountain biking, hiking, fishing, camping, rock climbing, all the stuff they (once) could do with their fathers. And it actually ended on Father’s Day,” Merriman said.
Along with Merriman and Truscelli, Tulsa native Bill Goldberg, an actor and former professional wrestler, served as a celebrity mentor during the camp. While competing on this season’s “The Celebrity Apprentice,” Goldberg, who already has been eliminated from the reality TV contest, played for One Good Turn Ranch 4Kids as his chosen charity.
Merriman described Goldberg as a “big ol’ teddy bear” and devoted dad who related well with the campers.
“I did a lot of Disney stuff growing up, like ‘The Luck of the Irish’ and ‘Smart House.’ So these kids, that was kind of right in my wheelhouse … (with) Disney movies, still to this day I get recognized from ‘The Luck of the Irish,’” Merriman said.
“It was the perfect little dichotomy: I was the big brother and Goldberg was the kind of jungle gym that all the kids could jump on.”
Merriman also remains active in many charitable efforts in his home state on behalf of the Children’s Hospital Foundation, an affiliate of Children’s Miracle Network. This spring, he visited young patients at Children’s Hospital, played in a benefit golf tournament and participated in Brian Bosworth’s Boz Hogz fundraising motorcycle run from Los Angeles to Oklahoma City.
The actor also designed two gourmet cupcakes on sale through May at local bakery Cuppies & Joe, 727 NW 23, with 50 cents of each delicacy sold going to the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
“It’s a privilege. I mean, I’m just an actor, but I’m glad that I can help out in some way and bring attention to things. It’s a good feeling,” he said.
“I’ve been acting for, gosh, 12, 13 years. I think that just being back home, it just keeps you really centered. A lot of times after you’ve been in L.A., you just get caught up, you know, in the life. You have to find your own way to fit in there, but definitely when I come back home, I feel like I can just be me.”
As an actor, Merriman stars opposite Andie MacDowell and Aidan Quinn in the fact-based football drama “The 5th Quarter,” due in theaters this year, and hopes to start filming soon on a pair of Westerns in Santa Fe, N.M.
He also hopes to stay involved with the One Good Turn Ranch camp.
“These kids are just amazing, man. They really make you look at life and go, ‘You know what, my car’s broke down or whatever. Or I didn’t get what I wanted. It’s not that bad of a day,’” he said.
GOING ON
“Sons of the Fallen: A Live Tribute to Our Military Heroes”
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Where: AMC Quail Springs 24 and Tinseltown USA in Oklahoma City, Spotlight 14 in Norman and Cinemark Tulsa 17 in Tulsa.
Information and tickets: www.fathomevents.com.
- BAM
If you enjoyed this post, please consider to leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
Somebody necessarily assist to make significantly posts I might state. That is the first time I frequented your website page and up to now? I surprised with the research you made to create this actual publish incredible. Fantastic process!