Celebrating a Great American Veteran: Tim Edgren

By Kellie Barnes, VP of Marketing

At Great American Pure Flix, we honor veterans everywhere and are grateful for the sacrifices they and their families have made. We share their belief in faith, family, community, and country; the same values reflected in the stories we tell.

Today, in honor of Veteran's Day, we’d like to highlight one of our very own valued employees who served in the Army.

Tim Edgren, a Senior Software Engineer at Great American Media, served as an enlisted soldier from 1986-1989, eventually reaching the grade of E-5 (Sergeant) in the Army.

Thank you, Tim, for your service and taking the time to talk with us about your experience.  

What does Veteran’s Day mean to you?

“I've always appreciated Veteran's Day because it focuses on those who served but didn't die. There are several soldiers I knew who did die, but Veteran's Day seems more like a celebration of those who faithfully bore the cost of service in life, rather than in death.”

Anything you’d like to share about your time in the military?

“As lonely and hard as Army life could be, I loved my job, which was as a Chaplain's Assistant, because I was paired with a truly godly man who loved his vocation and was able to connect well with soldiers. I was his driver, and his guard, and his administrative assistant, we were both Airborne, so we even jumped together. He treated me like a son and effectively mentored me in my faith.”

What inspired you to serve in the United States military, and what did that decision mean to you?

“Through recklessness, I lost my four-year ROTC college scholarship after two years in college, and joining the Army was a way for me to finish school and pay off my obligation. I also badly needed to grow up, a character-honing activity which the Army kindly accomplished. My father, uncle and brother also served, each eventually retiring as Colonels, so military service seemed a good tradition to continue.”

What values did you learn through your military experience that continue to guide your life?

“I learned to ask questions boldly, and to be willing to take risks and assume responsibility. I learned to be on time and to be able to 'salute the flag' and execute faithfully even when I disagree with direction from above. I learned that many seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome if you take them on, one step at a time.”

What role did family, faith, or the support of others play during your time in service?

“I was afraid that in wasting my ROTC scholarship, that I would do nothing in the Army but sit in a muddy foxhole, but instead my Chaplain put me in charge of a children's ministry and allowed me to serve in the local chapel throughout my three-year stint. I was able to lead one soldier and several children to a saving faith in Christ, and by helping my boss with his paperwork, I made him more effective in his work (he was administratively challenged). I felt that God had remembered me and redeemed my scholarship loss, giving me a chance to make a difference.”

What does it mean to be honored and remembered as a Veteran to you?

“I am proud of the three years that I served, and (although I wasn't sent in harm's way) there were many hardships and difficulties in military service. I would have taken a bullet for my Chaplain and for my country, and I am glad for that sacrifice to be remembered."

What do you like about working at Great American Media?

"I love the way that my work contributes toward a goal of making family-friendly and faith content available in the entertainment space. It makes me feel that my work is valuable in a way that other jobs have not.”

Honoring Those Who Serve & Protect

As an expression of our gratitude, we are proud to offer Great American Pure Flix exclusive membership pricing for veterans, service members and first responders. Join today at $4.99 a month or $49.99 a year.

We are grateful to welcome you and your family into a community that celebrates these same values and brings people together through meaningful entertainment.