"American Valor" - Medal of Honor Recipients on PBS (believe it or not)

Meridian Magazine online ^ | 11-112003 | by Martin Garff

[zlala]

PBS Special Showing "American Valor"

PBS will be showing an outstanding documentary called AMERICAN VALOR on Veteran's Day, November 11 (check local listings).

by Martin Garff

I remember talking with my son, Ken Garff and BYU film school graduate, about his involvement with a PBS special called American Valor. He had told me how difficult it was for him to direct the shooting of this 'Hi Def' production with his eyes full of tears. "How come I was never taught about these events in school?" was his earnest question.

Now I know what my son meant.... we attended a special preview showing of American Valor at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Home of the Emmy Award) in Hollywood. The capacity crowd gave a standing ovation that sent chills up our backs, to three of these special American heroes who were in attendance.

The personal stories of selected Medal of Honor recipients are presented in a moving look at the heroic actions which earned them their country's highest recognition. Interviews with selected medal honorees are woven together with newsreel footage, photographs and testimonies from witnesses of their heroic acts from World War II, Vietnam and Mogadishu, Somalia.

While these Americans tell their own stories, the gripping military action leading to their display of "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty" surrounds their interviews.

This is an incredible film that the Producers, Lionel Chetwynd and Norman S. Powell, said HAD to be made at this time. (Every day 1700+ war veterans take their stories of valor with them to the grave.) This honest documentary film praising fundamental American values will be shown nationally.

Over half of the Medal of Honor awards are made posthumously... Mike Durant tells how his life was saved through the bravery and sacrifice of Delta Force members Master Sgt. Gary Gordon and Sgt. First Class Randall Shughart as their helicopters were shot down in Mogadishu.

The weaving of stories continues as we come to understand what they have experienced, the freedom they cherish and the values which generate such heroic actions.

American Valor will be shown on PBS (various local times) November 11th, Veterans' Day. It is my opinion that this powerful 90 minute documentary should be viewed by every single freedom loving individual. After a compelling 90 minutes, you will also feel the pride of AMERICAN VALOR!

This is showing at 8pm Central time and again tomorrow (not sure when).

[pittsburgh gop guy]

Yes, this was a very good documentary on PBS. Sometimes they do surprise.

And this was an amazing story as well: BE GOOD, SMILE PRETTY. Very touching documentary about a woman who lost her dad in 'nam. He was a USNA grad, and a gunboat Captain. Even Kerry makes an appearance in this.

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Mike Durant wrote a book about his experience in Somalia. In it he talks about going to Gary Gordon's Maine hometown to give a speech honoring the soldier who gave his life to try and save his. Since Gordon won the Medal of Honor (posthumously) Durant decided to get a book from the town's library about medal of honor winners as a reference. He saw that no one had checked out the book in over 20 years. The last person to check the book out: Gary Gordon.

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"His death was not in vain," she (his mother) said. "He not only was doing good in Iraq, but helping our people preserve freedom for this country."

God bless this family in their time of sorrow.