Posted on 09/13/2007 10:46:43 PM PDT by goldstategop
Emmy Award winner James Gandolfini produced a tribute to modern-day war heroes which airs this evening on HBO and is available online.
The documentary, “Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq,” highlights 10 Soldiers and Marines who suffered severe injuries and includes face-to-face interviews interspersed with war footage and images from their rehabilitation. “Alive Day” refers to the day they almost died in Iraq.
The featured heroes are proud to have served their country. “How many people can look at you and say, ‘I had a stare down with death? And, I won,” said Marine Corporal Jacob Schick.
Near Baghdad, Schick drove over a pressurized bomb and lost his right leg below the knee and a third of his left hand and arm. After he was hit, Schick immediately knew his injury was bad. “But I thought, I’m not going to extend them the courtesy of watching me die,” he said. “No way. Not here in this land.”
To treat his injury, Schick has had 46 surgeries. At one point, his left arm was placed into his stomach for 4 weeks to grow a graft.
Gandolfini, known for his leading role as “Tony Soprano” on the HBO series “Sopranos,” is not the star of this film. He merely asks questions that prompt Iraq survivors like Army Specialist Crystal Davis, who was hit with an improvised explosive device, to share their stories.
While talking with Gandolfini, Davis pointed to her right leg, amputated at the knee, and told him: “This is the good one.” Gesturing to her left leg, she said, “This is the one I have all the problems with.” She found it underneath the seat of the vehicle she was in when a bomb struck.
She said one day she’d like to return to Iraq to fight again.
Marine Corps Sergeant Eddie Ryan sat with his mother for his interview because he struggles to speak. While serving, he received two gunshots to his head that caused severe brain damage.
Ryan’s mother said Ryan wants people to see his scars because he is proud of them.
Although he has limited speech, he sang the “Marine’s Hymn” well in his interview, snapping his fingers to the beat of the honored song.
The film, which is 57 minutes long, is available to watch online free of charge for a limited time. Additional biographical information and vivid recovery photos are also available at the official documentary site.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Bump
I watched part of the program and it touched on a subject some of us discussed at length the other day. I didn’t realize it was going to be on, or I would have watched the whole thing.
James Gandolfini seemed to be genuinly respectful of the men. The two men I saw had lost limbs, one both legs. They related their experiences and what mental stages they went through.
I’ll check out to see if it’s going to be on again and tape it.
In the latest Playboy interview, Olbermann the asshat claims Gandolfini is a fellow traveler as a Bush hater.
I wonder.
In the latest Playboy interview, Olbermann the asshat claims Gandolfini is a fellow traveler as a Bush hater.James is very liberal if unorthodox. He's also a pacifist.
I wonder.
This was an EXCELLENT documentary. There was no spin whatsoever...just soldiers telling their stories.
Regardless of Jim’s political positions, as the executive producer, he portrayed an **IS** and not a self-glorifying op-ed piece simply because of his success on HBO.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
I was worried when I found out it was to be made by Gandolfini and HBO. I thought it would be yet another hit job on the military and how Bush was ruining lives. I'm pleasantly surprised by this. Gandolfini is a strange bird, though. He claims his real personality is closer to Woody Allen than Tony Soprano. I also remember some reporter asking him about his kids and he just shook his head no, we're not going to talk about them.
At least it wasn’t gratuitous. Gandolfini was largely off camera asking questions and letting the individuals do 95% of the talking. Had it been some liberal media type, there would’ve been cuts to them nodding their heads and looking sad (phony, of course). You could count on one hand how many times they cut to JG’s reactions. Interesting that when he’s not doing Tony Soprano, he has a very soft and quiet normal speaking voice.
“Marine Corps Sergeant Eddie Ryan sat with his mother for his interview because he struggles to speak. While serving, he received two gunshots to his head that caused severe brain damage.
Ryan’s mother said Ryan wants people to see his scars because he is proud of them.
Although he has limited speech, he sang the “Marine’s Hymn” well in his interview, snapping his fingers to the beat of the honored song.”
Someone should send this to the “AntiMarine” Murtha. He has no clue what it means to really be a Marine. Sgt Ryan has more Marine in his toe than Murtha could ever have if he lived a thousand years. God bless you Sgt Ryan. A genuine American hero.
Link to Movie: http://www.hbo.com/aliveday/
Movie link expires September 16, 2007
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