SARANAC LAKE — Saranac Village at Will Rogers will present a Road to Retirement program about 13 Vietnam veterans who ran through Death Valley to come together and raise awareness for Vietnam veterans on Thursday, Nov. 21 at 2 p.m.

Saranac Lake-born filmmaker Jim Griebsch was contracted to be the director of photography on this project, He filmed the men as they parachuted into the north end of Death Valley and ran 15 miles a day until they had completed the entire 100 miles to Jubilee Mountain Pass at the southern end. Their purpose was to do this in honor of all Vietnam veterans, in the can-do spirit that was part of their service life. The film presents personal accounts and inspiration, against the backdrop of Death Valley.

Griebsch is an award-winning producer, director and director of photography with numerous film, television and interactive credits to his name. Throughout his 50-plus year career, his work has taken him around the world, he co-founded and owned Heliotrope Studios Ltd in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and also worked on the feature film Cold River in Saranac Lake in 1980. Jim continues to work and travel for a variety of projects, and when home, he and his wife Carol enjoy life in Saranac Lake.

The Road to Retirement Series features programs related to discovering the path others have taken to retirement, serves to further educate and engage communities and teaches about the opportunities, services and resources that can help people retire successfully and happily. This program is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. For additional information, call 518-891-7117.