Posted on 03/22/2002 7:02:23 AM PST by Sir Gawain
The View from the Colonel's Saddle
Every Friday @ SierraTimes.com We Were Soldiers By: Colonel Dan Published 03. 21. 2002 at 21:32 PST |
I experienced We Were Soldiers the other day. I say "experienced" rather than "watched" because if all you do is watch this film, you'll miss it. 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 painregardless 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 capturethe periods of boredomwhich 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 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 describesit'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 earththey 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 theirsand 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 Nammy brothers, my comrades, past and presentI render a salute of sincere respect, admiration and heartfelt appreciation to you all. Just the view from my saddle
The Colonel
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As for this year's awards ceremony, I find it disgusting that "Blackhawk Down" is getting snubbed so badly. Hell, I think the only thing it got nominated for was Best Director. It's sad, yet not surprising, how much hatred Hollwood has for our brave soldiers (the same soldiers that provide those damn leftists the freedom to spew their hatred for America).
I should warn people that this film is pretty graphic and definitely a tear jerker. Don't miss it.
Changing The Vietnam Stereotype [Movie: We Were Soldiers]
Source: Washington Times; Published: March 21, 2002;
Author: Jon Ward
What's really interesting about that is that all the scenes showing Lt. Nguyen An talking stategy are historically accurate. I didn't realize this until I started reading the book and it talked about this.
Navy ships have been known to draw enemy fire too. You are no less of a fighting man!
Nice article. Thank you, Gawain.
25th LRRP's
God Bless them eternally, for all the physical and emotional support they provided.
Rule No. 1 of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences: Anything that honors America or America's fighting men must, by necessity be panned, shunned and discredited.
Case in point:
Steven Spielberg is the darling of the Hollywood Left. He's a true believer, a Clinton disciple, a card-carrying member of the club.
Spielberg produced two films in recent years which legitimately merited serious consideration by the Academy -- Schindler's List and Saving Private Ryan. One won the oscar for best picture, the other was largely ignored. What's the difference?
Schindler's List portrayed in terms never before seen this side of a documentary the horrors of the Nazi death camps and the murderous hatred of the Jews at the heart of the Nazi nightmare. This picture was a liberal's dream. It indicted Germany (correctly) and by implication America, which liberals consider no better and no different than the Nazi regime. The result: honors aplenty. Praise for Speilberg (legitimately). Hand-wringing indictments against the evils of Nazism and analogies drawn to how American is no different and no better.
Saving Private Ryan , simply put, honored America and the American fighting man. It highlighted just what it took to cross Omaha Beach, and the level of honor, courage and commitment the WWII generation had to defeat the very Nazi empire so condemned in Schindler's List.
What was the response from the Hollywood Left? Quasi-fascist drivel. . . glorifying warfare. . . stark and simplistic. And the predictable result was the film was ignored come Oscar time in favor of. . . does anybody remember? Shakespeare In Love. Does anybody even remember Shakespeare In Love? Will anybody remember it in five years? But the Holly-libs couldn't stand to recognize a legitimately great film honoring the American fighting man, under any circumstances.
And so it will be with We Were Soldiers. Don't expect anything out of these socialist perverts. The concept of duty, honor, commitment and love of country is something they just don't get and never will.
I suspect that much of Clinton and Hollywood's disdain for the military is plain old common jealousy and guilt...for both the rewards and scars you and your brothers-in-arms carry for a lifetime make you simply better human beings. Somewhere in their cynical souls they know. Hugs.
WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR BRUCE CRANDAL MEDAL OF HONOR
...Thread in ..'The Movie'.. Discussion Forum on...
.. www.WeWereSoldiersFILM.com ..
...and say .."ALOHA".. to the Sons of CRANDALL
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