WWS took me back what seemed like a thousand years in terms of time but only yesterday in terms of the pride and affection I've always felt for American soldiers.
Anyone who has ever worn the uniform and looked the elephant in the eye can't fail to have an empathetic emotional reaction to this film and I'm certainly no exception.
A lot has been written about this movie already and a lot more will be written I'm sure but I'd just like to share some of the more distinct thoughts that left the theater with me that night.
This movie captured much of the inner soldier that I've always admired throughout these many years and it captured as well as any digital image can I guess the emotions that war stirs in people.
It also captured the impact on the wives and families that's rarely portrayed as it was in this film. Each wife who lost her soldier lost a piece of her soul as she answered the knock on the door. Regardless of the conflict or trial, military wives establish their own bond and come naturally to the aid and comfort of those in need. They share the same burden and feel the same pain—regardless of whose door was darkened that day.
Although the combat segments were probably more realistic than most movies I've seen, there are a few things I doubt films will ever be able to capture—the periods of boredom—which wouldn't sell many tickets, the feel of explosive concussion at close range, the horrific sounds and especially the smells of battle and its aftermath.
Aside from the raw emotion that affects everyone that has ever been in a combat zone, each person remembers what impacted him the most about his physical surroundings. For me, it will be the smells that remain prominently in my mind. But uppermost in my heart it will always be the soldier's soul and the super human bond forged by extreme conditions that will remain with me for eternity.
Just as extreme pressure forges ordinary carbon into diamonds, the pressure of combat forges ordinary people into a brotherhood of soldiers few outsiders will ever comprehend and I'm not alone in that view.
Joe Galloway, co-author of Hal Moore's book upon which this movie was based, wrote, "I am far more comfortable in the company of those once-young soldiers today than with any other group except my own family. They are my
comrades-in-arms, the best friends of my life…"
Joe's statement doesn't surprise me in the least. I've seen soldiers have a similar impact on many who honestly get to know them.
Once you've lived with soldiers and really get inside that world by sharing their life, they can't help but have the impact on you that Joe describes—it's just a law of nature I guess. Why is that? From my saddle, it's because the soldier's heart is among the noblest to be found on earth—they grow on you if given half a chance and you take the time to sincerely look into their eyes, learn what's in their heart and feel what's in their soul.
But by far, most satisfying to me is what this film has done and is doing for our soldiers who fought there. Our Viet Nam warriors are finally winning the most important battle of that long war and the cowards who treated them so shabbily are losing theirs—and I thank God for it.
Albeit decades late, the honor of the soldiers of that era is overshadowing the shame of the cowards in our national conscience.
GIs who expected nothing but gave everything, as soldiers often do, are finally winning the respect, hearts and minds of America while those like Clinton who gave nothing but demanded everything, as cowards always do, are being shoved into obscurity where they belong.
That almost 30 years after the war, America is starting to respect and sincerely appreciate those wonderful soldiers, what they went through and what kind of people endure such an ordeal is the most uplifting part of the saga for me.
When everyday soldiers and the sacrifices they make for all of us are appropriately recognized and appreciated, it helps restore my faith in America.
To the noble warriors of Viet Nam—my brothers, my comrades, past and present—I render a salute of sincere respect, admiration and heartfelt appreciation to you all.
Just the view from my saddle…
The Colonel
DON'T TREAD ON ME