Tag: military service

Big Read Kick Off Snapshots

I attended the Big Read kick off of The Things They Carried by O’Brien yesterday at the Lansing Community Library.  Here are a few photos I took with my smartphone (flash turned off):

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The local American Legion chapter and active serving military came to show their support.
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Terri Wojtalewicz, Youth Services Librarian at the Lansing Community Library, addresses the audience prior to the viewing of the documentary produced by students of Lansing High School.
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During intermission, Colonel Devine shared her insights from the documentary.
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The library has a drop box for cards and letters to be delivered to service men and women deployed overseas.

 

I have not yet started reading The Things They Carried, but the documentary of interviews with living combat veterans definitely got me thinking.  I now wish to write letters to all my living family members who are veterans and ask of them the questions I heard asked by the students in their documentary.  Sadly, I desperately wanted to ask them of those who have already left us, namely, my father-in-law, my grandfathers and my great-grandfather.

But that regret just makes me more determined to not waste any more time.  My apologies in advance to friends and family whom I will be ‘bothering’ in the near future, once I read The Things They Carried, devise an interview and a plan of action to capture those memories on paper, in audio or video.  Whatever they are most comfortable with.

The next event on the schedule is a book discussion lead by Tom Prasch, History Department Chair at Washburn University.  Join us on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lansing Community Library to share insights from The Things They Carried.

 

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Thank you American Legion Post 411 and USAR Community Network of Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas.

Thank You Veterans

Thank you.

On this day, and every day, thank you.

For your service and your sacrifice.

***

“This year, we marked the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812. We began to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. We welcomed our veterans back home from Iraq, and we continued to wind down operations in Afghanistan. These milestones remind us that, though much has changed since Americans first took up arms to advance freedom’s cause, the spirit that moved our forebears is the same spirit that has defined each generation of our service members. Our men and women in uniform have taught us about strength, duty, devotion, resolve — cornerstones of a commitment to protect and defend that has kept our country safe for over 200 years. In war and in peace, their service has been selfless and their accomplishments have been extraordinary.” — President Obama, Veterans Day Proclamation, November 11, 2012

“We are often reminded that, today, less than 1% of Americans wear the uniforms of our Nation. The sum of their service to the country, however, is beyond measure. Our rights and privileges as American citizens have been their gifts to each of us. We must not take those gifts for granted.” — Secretary Shinseki, A Message from the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, November 9, 2012

“Although a soldier by profession, I have never felt any sort of fondness for war, and I have never advocated it, except as a means of peace.” — Ulysses S. Grant

“Better to fight for something than live for nothing.” — George S. Patton

“We are going to have peace even if we have to fight for it.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

“I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, its stupidity.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

“A professional soldier understands that war means killing people, war means maiming people, war means families left without fathers and mothers.” — Norman Schwarzkopf

“Any soldier worth his salt should be antiwar. And still there are things worth fighting for.” — Norman Schwarzkopf

“The soldier above all others prays for peace, for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear the deepest wounds and scars of war.” — Douglas MacArthur

“Old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” — Douglas MacArthur

Movie Review: Taking Chance (2009)

Taking Chance (2009)

4 out of 5 stars

Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it is an arrow aimed straight for your heart and cannot be denied or denigrated.  Films based on actual events have an allure I can’t seem to resist and Taking Chance caught me with its simplicity and humility.

I am struggling this morning to write this review.  I can’t see my screen very well.  It keeps blurring out of focus as I continue to tear up.  Yes, I’m a sentimental fool, but I’m also a mother.  I watched the DVD extras and I’m amazed at the strength of Chance’s mother.  From the home videos and family memories related there, I could easily see a reflection of my son Derek, who was born just two years after Chance.  They had similar interests, personalities and capabilities.  This story could easily have been my story had Derek made different choices.

I would agree with most of what I found under the ‘Critical Reception’ heading at Wikipedia, especially with respect to the ‘apolitical nature’ of the film:

One review from The Baltimore Sun, said that it “… is one of the most eloquent and socially conscious films the premium cable channel has ever presented,” and USA Today, said “A small, almost perfectly realized gem of a movie, Taking Chance is also precisely the kind of movie that TV should be making.” On the other end is Slant Magazine, saying “Instead of well-drawn characters or real human drama, we are presented with a military procedural on burial traditions. The film desperately wants the viewer to shed tears for its fallen hero without giving a single dramatic reason to do so.”

The film was the most-watched HBO original in five years, with over two million viewers on the opening night, and more than 5.5 million on re-airings. Critics often attribute this success to its apolitical nature, not directly depicting nor offering an opinion of the Iraq War.

Critical Reception, Taking Chance, Wikipedia

I found it refreshing to hear the name Phelps and not have to cringe.  Imagine my relief when the marine’s funeral proceeded without blemish and no apparent protest from the other Phelps of Westboro fame (or shame).

I also found this film more recommendable and uplifting than a similar ‘based on a true story’ tale I watched about eighteen months ago called The Tillman Story.

I may add this film to my library so that I can watch it each Memorial Day.  A reminder of all our soldiers, past and present, who gave the ultimate gift to preserve our freedoms and keep us safe at home.

Semper fidelis.

Movie Review: They Were Expendable (1945)

They Were Expendable (1945)

3 out of 5 stars

Not exactly what I expected from a Ford/Wayne film.  Not sure why Donna Reed even bothered to appear in it.

Filmed during WWII, but released after the war ended.  I just didn’t connect with the characters.  I need to find a better or different film to get a feel for our fight in the Pacific (outside of Pearl Harbor films).

It felt war weary, although it was about the Battle of the Philippines early in WWII.

Similar to The Desert Fox, the musical score made heavy uses of the Navy Song “Anchors Aweigh” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”  I did tear up when I heard “Taps” played on a harmonica for a slap-dash funeral of two crewman of Wayne’s destroyed PT boat.

Movie Review: The Desert Fox (1951)

The Desert Fox (1951)

4 out of 5 stars

I nearly jumped for joy when DirecTV announced the arrival of a ‘new’ HD channel to their line-up:  TCM (Turner Classic Movies).  I much prefer to watch ‘old’ movies when I get a chance.  Just like ‘old’ books, there are so many lost gems to be found, read (or watched).  I spent thirty minutes scrolling through two weeks worth of schedule, seeking the four and five star treasures among the chaff of late night B (or C) 1950s science fiction or horror films.  By the way, if you’re a Johnny Weismuller fan, you might want to check out this Friday’s Tarzan marathon. But I digress.

One of the first movies I flagged to record happened to be The Desert Fox.  I knew some of the highlights of Rommel‘s military career as a field marshal, especially in North Africa, and his mysteriously in congruent and quiet death late in World War II.  Released just six years after the war ended, 20th Century Fox took a risk in filming from the point of view of the enemy, albeit of a highly and widely respected man.

I thought the film held up well (being over sixty years old now).  Jessica Tandy gave a superb and convincing  portrayal of Rommel’s wife as well as James Mason as Rommel.  Actual vintage war footage appeared throughout the film, include a brief clip of Eisenhower addressing the troops, presumably on D-Day.

And speaking of D-Day, the musical score during the war footage flashback montage started off with the Air Force anthem, ‘Off We Go Into the Wild Blue Yonder’ (when depicting the air raids), and switched to the Nay anthem, ‘Anchors Aweigh’ (when depicting the mighty guns of the battleships pounding the European coast).  I did not discern either the Army song or the Marine’s Hymn, but probably just lost track of the melodies amidst the bombardments.

I have added Desmond Young’s biography of Rommel to my ‘To Read’ list.  Unfortunately, it’s not yet available (and may never be made available) in ebook format, but my local library in Leavenworth has a hardcover print copy available and waiting for me on the shelf.  It seems to be surprisingly short (under three hundred pages), so would make a quick read on a weekend.  A bit of trivia as respects the movie, The Desert Fox: the author, Desmond Young, appeared in the film as himself.  He actually met Rommel, briefly, as a soldier in the Indian Army, when he became  a prisoner of war in the North African theater.

Movie Review: Red Tails (2012)

Red Tails (2012)

3.5 to 4 out of 5 stars

As an early Valentine’s Day dinner and a movie date, Terry and I dined at Red Lobster Sunday afternoon and visited the AMC Barrywoods movie theater to watch Red Tails on a ‘big’ screen.  Neither of us had been to this particular theater in years, since we prefer to watch the few movies we see each year on the biggest screen in the Kansas City metro area, #7 at the Legends 14 Phoenix Theater.  We enjoyed the close proximity of the handicapped parking though, something not readily available at the Legends.  We bypassed the concession stand, having just stuffed ourselves on seafood, and saved our pocket books from the incredibly overpriced snack items for sale (especially as compared to the prices at the Phoenix theater).

While I had heard of the Tuskegee Airmen, I knew next to nothing about their service during World War II.  So I cannot  verify the authenticity of the film with respect to historical facts.  I can affirm a well told tale with fantastic visuals, heart-thumping aerial dogfights and a bit of romance that overcomes race and language barriers.

Seventy Infamous Days

The USS Arizona burns after the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.

This year, and today specifically, marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.  For as long as I have been alive, each December 7th brought me the voice of then President Franklin D. Roosevelt proclaiming this day to be “a date which will live in infamy.”  And so it has.  Even one of my favorite films immortalizes for future generations: Tora! Tora! Tora! (which I consider to be fairly historically accurate).  The more dramatic and entertaining Pearl Harbor released in 2001 gets the blood surging, but does not satisfy me need to ‘real life’ accuracy.  Contrived romantic entanglements pale before the gritty details and courage our soldiers exhibited under fire.

Yesterday, while waiting for my bagel to toast at the lobby coffee shop, I picked up a free copy of the winter edition of ‘Our Daily Bread.’ Even though I follow them on Twitter, I often miss their daily tweets because they occur so early in the morning or get lost in the other Twitter clutter.  Normally, I wouldn’t have bothered beyond reading the entry for yesterday and returning it to the stack for someone else to benefit form its wisdom.  But after the discouraging news I received Monday about my husband’s health, I am seeking support and encouragement at every turn.  Now, I have a daily reminder on my desk to connect me to hope and to encourage me to live in faith with God’s Will.

Here’s an excerpt from today’s article entitled ‘This Do In Remembrance‘:

When a US Navy vessel arrives or departs from the military bases in Pearl Harbor, the crew of that ship lines up in dress uniform. They stand at attention at arm’s length on the outer edges of the deck, in salute to the soldiers, sailors, and civilians who died on December 7, 1941. It is a stirring sight, and participants often list it among the most memorable moments of their military career.

Even for spectators on shore, the salute triggers an incredible emotional connection, but especially between the servants of today and the servants of yesterday. It grants nobility to the work of today’s sailor, while giving dignity to the sacrifice of those from the past.

And I’ll close with an excerpt from President Barrack Obama’s Proclamation for National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (2011) issued yesterday:

On a serene Sunday morning 70 years ago, the skies above Pearl Harbor were darkened by the bombs of Japanese forces in a surprise attack that tested the resilience of our Armed Forces and the will of our Nation. As explosions sounded and battleships burned, brave service members fought back fiercely with everything they could find. Unbeknownst to these selfless individuals, the sacrifices endured on that infamous day would galvanize America and come to symbolize the mettle of a generation.

In the wake of the bombing of our harbor and the crippling of our Pacific Fleet, there were those who declared the United States had been reduced to a third-class power. But rather than break the spirit of our Nation, the attack brought Americans together and fortified our resolve. Patriots across our country answered the call to defend our way of life at home and abroad. They crossed oceans and stormed beaches, freeing millions from the grip of tyranny and proving that our military is the greatest force for liberty and security the world has ever known. On the home front, dedicated civilians supported the war effort by repairing wrecked battleships, working in factories, and joining civilian defense organizations to help with salvage programs and plant Victory gardens. At this time of great strife, we reminded the world there is no challenge we cannot meet; there is no challenge we cannot overcome.

On National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the more than 3,500 Americans killed or wounded during that deadly attack and pay tribute to the heroes whose courage ensured our Nation would recover from this vicious blow. Their tenacity helped define the Greatest Generation and their valor fortified all who served during World War II. As a Nation, we look to December 7, 1941, to draw strength from the example set by these patriots and to honor all who have sacrificed for our freedoms.