Movies of War

[Captain]

i just finished watching a movie called 'We Were Soldiers' starring Mel Gibson. Excellent film and its based on a true story.

But i also watched a documentary last night about the Australian soldiers who fought in Vietnam. There are no movies about their battles. Especially the Battle at Long Tan.

the documentary ended with a vet saying that 25 years ago, his father (a WWII digger), took him to the local Returned Services Leagues Club (RSL). the old diggers from WWI and WWII asked him to share his experiences with them.

They said to him that that wasn't a war and that he didnt know what a war was .

it was bad enough with the civilians but to have the old diggers turn them away, it was devastating. they were soldiers and they served their nation proud as their fathers had before them.

[janecallanan]

I was in Washington, and in the capitol building was listening to a speach by one of their tour people. She started talking about the tomb of the unknown soldier, and referred to the Viet Nam "Conflict". I walked out. My brother died a war heroe, not a conflict casualty.

[xgrunt]

We had that same problem back in the States. We go to the local VFW[Veterans of Foriegn[sp] Wars] and the most of them would say the same things. That welcome home kept me away from service organizations for 25 years. Of coures now that the WWII vets are dying off so guickly, theses same organizations are courting us to keep the doors open on the clubs and organizations. :cl:

[Wazza]

I also saw We Were Soldiers recently and I would not recommend any Vietnam vet watching it unless you were very well prepared for the graffic realism which was displayed on the screen. It was a truely graffic movie not only for its historical reference [including the 'cut' scenes] but for the realism created by the actors, director and special effects engineers. I cannot tell you in words how deeply each scene cut through my flesh to expose my innermost hurt. I watched this movie knowing that I shouldn't because of the depressing impact it would have on me and my emotion. It rammed home to me the horrific sacrifice 58,000 young Americans made against a fanatical foe. It tore out my heart and put me in a sombre mood for our Armistice Day, Nov. 11, tribute to the fallen.

Derpressing as the movie was and the emotion it generated within me, I made a conscious decicion to watch that movie every year immediately prior to out Armistice Day and your Rememberance Day. I also shamed myself into remembering those fallen American Servicemen I had forgotten in the past on this day, when concentrating solely on Australia's lost warriors.

My appology to the members of this site for my selfishness and my promised to include our closest allies in all furture rememberance services and functions.

Lest we Forget

[MORTARDUDE]

Your brave countrymen have stuck by us thru thick and thin. Some of our other allies only remember us when it is convenient or the Germans come knocking.....

All the best mate,

Larry

[JBozeman]

Salute to all Men and Women in all Nations who have for the love of Freedom and Country. All gave some, some Gave All! People of Honor and Valor!

Kerry and Fonda, Ambassadors of Tyranny!

Take Care
Stay Safe

Boze

[reconeil]

I know Kerry is still taking MY/YOUR/OUR Money for pretty-much doing nothing, so forget about him. $uch keeps that phony & turncoat off the streets,...even at retirement time.

What I'm curious about is filthy rich Enemy Supporter & Treasonable: "Hanoi Jane Fonda".
Has she too connived or weaselled-her-way into EVEN ACQUIRING MORE MONEY............
from: "We The (Schnook$)? God knows she needs it.

I sort-of remember her getting some government position awhile back? Is that so?

Neil

[DMZ-LT]

Good to go back and read Xgrunts post's again. Frank died less than a year after this post from AO related illness from RVN. I know he still watches over me and my family and must get a laugh out of some of the things we get into. Salute to all that served and said what they did and did what they said. Scouts Out , Frank !

[Boats]

There is something about watching a war movie. I've seen most but Saving Private Ryan the first 15 minutes is tough to watch. Now I know how and why my uncle never talked about the Okinawa.

Others I like

The Partriot
Ken Burns Civil War
Sergeant York
The Lost Battalion
The Blue Max
Band of Brothers
Schindler's List
Das Boot
Letters from Iwo Jima
The Big Red One
The Thin Red Line
Pork Chop Hill
Full Metal Jacket
Blackhawk Down
The Sand Pebbles
The Hurt Locker
Where Eagles Dare
The Fighting Sullivans
Memphis Belle
Merrill's Marauders
Heartbreak Ridge
Wind Talker's
Bataan - with Earl Flynn
The Audie Murphy story

All of these have touched me in special ways. The courage presented in these
stirs the emotions. You can laugh - cry - get mad as hell and know that much
of what we've watched has happen to one or more of us during some time in
our tour of duty.

God Bless all who've served and to those who've passed - You are not forgotten. Amen

[SuperScout]

I would add Forrest Gump the movie to your stellar list. The war scenes portrayed the 2-47th Infantry, my former unit. It's still one of my favorite movies of all times, a classic tale of the triumph of good vs. evil.