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With Veterans Day fast approaching, the American Legion Post 20 in Kenai is planning for at least one added event this year.

On Nov. 9, the Legion will show "Lioness," a film about a group of women soldiers that found themselves in the midst of the battle on the frontlines in Ramadi, Iraq, in 2003 and 2004.

The movie addresses the fact that while technically military women aren't supposed to fight, the nature of the war in Iraq has thrust many into combat situations.

As a result some of the women are struggling with the impact of being in a war zone and finding that back on the home front their contributions aren't always recognized.

"The total number of active-duty women is only about 12 to 15 percent through all services, so they're a small minority but it's growing year by year," said Richard Homan, historian for Post 20. "What this presentation brings to light is what the lionesses did in Ramadi when they were there."

Homan said the Legion was approached by the staff of Brig. Gen. Deborah McManus. The staff said McManus would be touring the state through the week showing the film and hoped to visit the Kenai Peninsula.

"She wanted to present this movie at Kenai due to the amount of female veterans in this area," he said.

Homan said there are approximately 8,600 women veterans in the state.

The movie's showing isn't just for women, though.

"This is targeted at all veterans. We want to bring everybody in that we can to come see that there are women out there doing the same job that men are doing," Homan said.

The 80-minute film will be shown at 10 a.m. and then again at 1:30 p.m. in the American Legion at 902 Cook Ave. in Kenai.

McManus will be on hand, as will a representative from the Veterans Center and the Department of Veterans Affairs to answer questions about veteran benefits.

The event is free and open to the public.

Dante Petri can be reached at dante.petri@peninsulaclarion.com