VALDOSTA — Survivors of Wanat and families of soldiers who did and did not survive will gather Friday, July 13, for the 10th anniversary of what has been called the deadliest battle in the war in Afghanistan.

They will gather in South Georgia to commemorate the July 13, 2008, battle where 300 Taliban fighters surrounded the unfinished base of about 50 American soldiers. The Battle of Wanat claimed the lives of nine American soldiers and wounded 27 more.

On Saturday, July 14, surviving veterans families will watch a documentary about Wanat. A movie filmed by the father of one of the fallen, a Valdosta-area resident who has been working on the documentary for several years.

“11 Days and a Wake Up” is scheduled to premiere 3 p.m. Saturday, July 14, Mathis City Auditorium, 2300 N. Ashley St., said Frankie Gay of Lowndes County.

The film is part of the RKDS Film Festival running July 12-14 at the auditorium. The festival is scheduled to include an appearance by Burt Reynolds, along with a screening of his movies, and screenings of locally filmed and produced movies.

Gay and Greg Block produced the documentary, which Gay said is a tribute to his son, Army Cpl. Pruitt Allen Rainey.

Rainey was among the small number of American soldiers in the U.S. Army 173rd Airborne 503rd Infantry 2nd Battalion — Chosen Company.

The company had been assigned with little equipment, shelter or reinforcements to an area of Afghanistan infiltrated by the enemy Taliban.

In a fight with hundreds of Taliban, nine American soldiers, including the 22-year-old Rainey, were killed and more than two dozen more wounded.

Before the battle, the men had 11 days before they were scheduled to come home where they could wake up in their own beds, Gay said. “11 Days and a Wake Up” isn’t just the documentary title, it was the men’s countdown date to being home.

On the day they were scheduled to arrive home, Gay said he buried his son.

Gay and other Gold Star families petitioned the government for answers. They wanted leadership to be held responsible.

The families didn’t get either, Gay said. Not fully.

“We never did get satisfaction from the government,” he said. “… We fought a losing battle but I’m OK with it now.”

The film focuses on the battle and the American soldiers in Wanat. Not the families meeting with government officials.

“This documentary pays honor to our boys,” Gay said.

He has spent several years filming and producing the documentary. He met with soldiers who survived Wanat and families.

Gay felt compelled to make the film to honor his son and the other soldiers.

Gay and his son had been estranged during Rainey’s childhood, but they came to know each other in the months prior to the corporal’s death.

After the military, Rainey planned to attend the University of Florida. He wanted to be a wrestling coach.

They shared a love of poker and they often spoke of playing a Vegas tournament upon Rainey’s return to the states. Gay said he heard from Rainey by email almost daily during the Afghanistan tour. They spoke often on the phone.

Following Wanat, Gay said he spent years plagued by guilt for the time missed with his son. He said he had nightmares every time he slept. He said he was bothered by doubts concerning the documentary.

In early June, Gay said he was filled with anxiety. He felt he should pull the documentary from the film festival. He planned to pull the movie.

The same night, he went to bed. He dreamed of his son. He dreamed of Jesus, he said. He awoke anxiety free. He would premiere “11 Days and a Wake Up.”

“I woke up saved,” Gay said. “I haven’t had a nightmare since. I am at peace for the first time in years.”

More information about tickets for “11 Days and a Wake Up,” visit rkdsfilmfest.com.