We Were Soldiers, Not Baby Killers

Opinion Journal ^ | 03/04/2002 | BRENDAN MINITER

[js1138]

John Wayne's 1967 film "The Green Beret" made the same argument, and leftists have despised it since the day it was released.

I saw "The Green Berets" in country in 1968. Patriotism, alas, does not make a good film. Georgia pines do not remind me of Vietnam. The most memorable scene comes towards the end, as the sun sets colorfully in the East.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

..'WE WERE SOLDIERS' = $20.2 Million Box Office...

..'40 Days and 40 Nights' = $12.5 Million Box Office

...One supports our Hero Vietnam Vets

...The other bashes the Catholic Religion BIG TIME.

...The American People are Getting It.

[Walkin Man]

The only thing that disappointed me about this film was that most of the audience had already left during the final credits - and thus missed the *beautiful* Military Academy choral rendition of "Mansions of the Lord."

That is very moving. If that doesn't do something to you, you must have a heart of stone!

[lodwick]

bttt

[Renatus]

I saw this movie yesterday afternoon, the audience was sparse,

I saw the movie last night. Didn't sleep last night. Too many memories burst forth. Only decent people will be moved by this movie---those who believe in God, are good and are outgoing in their service to our nation and one another. Mel Gibson is a good holy person. Suspect that's why so many lowlifes in Hollywood and the media are so non- supportive of this great film.

I served my first tour in AnKhe where the 1st Air Cav was headquartered. Wonder if that big patch of the Division on top of HongKong Mountain is still there.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...It's now...

...2.037.. RICK RESCORLA Medal of Freedom Award Petition Signatures and...

...that's just ...OUTSTANDING...!!!

[Burn24]

Petition signed with pleasure and gratitude, by the mother of a Morgan Stanley employee.

[Walkin Man]

'We Were Soldiers' Tops Box Office

Mel Gibson rallied the movie-going troops for "We Were Soldiers," his Vietnam War saga that debuted as the top weekend film with $20.2 million.

Yup, number one film in its opening weekend.

[Bones Boy]

His daughter Cecile, says she doesn't want to say the Hail Mary. She wants to be an atheist, "like mommy."

I don't think she said "atheist", I think she said "Methodist". Can anyone confirm?

[Junior]

It ends with the Marines singing the "Mickey Mouse Club" tune after a senseless battle.

Actually, their singing was to alert the sentries on the Marine's perimeter that they were Marines and not enemy troops approaching. This was actually used several times during that war for that particular reason.

[Renatus]

I don't think she said "atheist", I think she said "Methodist". Can anyone confirm?

It was "Methodist."

[lawdave]

She wants to be an atheist, "like mommy."

Just a small point but I saw the movie on Friday. It is great. The little girl does not say that she wants to be an atheist as reported in the article. She says she wants to be a "Nethodist" (meaning Methodist) like her mother because she does not want to pray the Hail Mary, she wants to pray whatever she wants. Gibson gives a powerful performance in the movie of a very Godly man. I think I counted at least 3 scenes where he openly prays in the film.

[It Matters]

Your're right. She said methodist not athiest. He needs to clean his ears out.

[mountaineer]

another claimed that the film (to paraphrase) "completely ignored the racism of the 1960s."

I haven't seen the film yet (fortunately, I just bought a box of Kleenex, so I'm ready), but I did see a "behind the scenes" documentary on Showtime, where they showed clips and spoke to the book's authors, other participants in the actual battle and the actors. It definitely whetted my appetite for see this film.

At the end, they showed a reunion of the real-life participants at the Vietnam memorial in D.C. Several were black, and they stood side-by-side with their white brothers, with tears in their eyes. Skin color was irrelevant to these men. The racism of the 60s was irrelevant to this story. Black and white soldiers fought and died together in this battle, and black and white survivors gather together today to remember. The critics didn't like Gibson's The Patriot, either, for probably the same reasons.

[MeekOneGOP]

The most memorable scene comes towards the end, as the sun sets colorfully in the East.

Ya can't sneak that past me, old FRiend. I was around in 1968 and the sun was settin' in the WEST even back then! :O)

[HiJinx]

We, too, rarely spend the money for movie tickets. I'm not fond of the crowds. But guys, this is one that really should be seen on the big screen. And, if you're lucky, you'll get a chance to meet someone who was there.
Ask Norb about Linda and Ollie...

[RightFighter]

His daughter Cecile, says she doesn't want to say the Hail Mary. She wants to be an atheist, "like mommy." Not because she doesn't want to pray, but because she wants to pray in her own way.

Ummmmmm......She doesn't say she wants to be an atheist. She says she wants to be a Methodist.

[codebreaker]

I saw it, the young girl says 'I want to be a Methodist like Mommy and pray my own way.' (big audience laugh when I saw it)

[cav68]

I was taken by this movie and the sensitivity of the men to each, I met Gen Moore and Joe Galloway in DC in 95 during Vetrans Day. The Cav was staying at the Hyatt in Arlington which made acess to the memorials easy for walking. There was a hospitality room set up during the evening and I along with several friends enjoyed the friendly aspects of the conversation with the men Ia Drang. General moore and Joe Both signed my book along with several of the surviors from the battle. I first read the book in 93 when my LT from Nam father sent me a copy, the movie is great but this book is written in such depth you will find it hard to close once you start. I have met Sgt. Major Plumley and he is the real thing. I would again like to express to the surviors of this battle my graditude and salute them all for a job well done. Garry Owen to all.

[RightFighter]

Not that they're not close to the same thing....

I'm just JOKING! Just a little Baptist vs. Methodist JOKE!