dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

This morning my cousin sent me a video about a movie out now called, The Last Full Measure. It is about an Air Force rescue helicopter crewman who drops through the jungle canopy to rescue wounded soldiers in Vietnam. I have not seen the movie yet and do not know if I will. But this is my response to her.

Please let's not let this go to The Attic. My heartfelt thank you to the Airman who saved the wounded and dying.


Thanks for sending that. I have seen the listings for the movie but had no idea what the movie was about. I don’t know if I will go see it but if I do it will be by myself. That is for these times when I may end up sobbing and don’t want to look like an idiot. I also choose when the movie is about to end playing at that theater so there may not be anybody else in the theater when I am there. I can watch some of these movies nowadays but in the past I could not watch any of them. I have never seen Full Metal Jacket nor Platoon because it was just too much too soon. Dan and I could not wait to get to Vietnam and to be involved in a fighting killing war. Honestly we still feel we did the right thing and are glad and proud we served. But it does take a lifelong toll on those who participate. Occasionally coming home isn’t what it is cracked up to be when thinking of those left behind. No neither of us is going to do away with ourselves. We made our decision way back and to us it is still the best decision we could have made. I am just saying it is costly in many ways. Like living to old age going into battle in a real life war isn’t all fun and games. It is not for the soft hearted among us.

To every one of those in all branches who have served in a battle zone I salute you all for fighting the demons that others refuse to face for the good of us all. I salute all of you also for fighting the demons after the killing has ended. Perhaps that is the hardest war of all.

For those of us who fought in Vietnam those demons can be the worst. Looking back I see coming home to even best friends who called me a baby killer, my Boy Scout troop master who cursed me out for doing the wrong thing when even today I feel in my heart I did the right thing. People who have not been there and done that have no idea what it is like to do your best and then be put down for doing just that for years on end.

Dennis

Busbum Loc: 85367

Thank you and all who served for your service...

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Dennis,
Like you I cannot watch anything after WWII.
It is way too disturbing.
Enough said.

TB4 Loc: TX

I did not serve in the armed forces but did watch the movie, The Last Full Measure. It is a powerful movie and very emotional. I can see how it could be too much for someone who experienced it. I do think it is important for those of us who did not experience Viet Nam to understand what those who did went through.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Very well said. I am not one to think every single one of us should be in the military. But I also am completely against in the most severe way anyone who ever puts our military personnel down. I hear different numbers today about the percentage of those Americans who do serve in the military. It is usually about 1% of the population who sign that blank check up to and including our lives to participate when joining the military. That number is almost infinitesimally small when considering the tremendous job that we ask those men and women to do. Yet people continue to volunteer for the rest of us.

Dennis

cedymock Loc: Irmo, South Carolina

This was on CBS today about The Last Full Measure.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/a-promise-fulfilled-filming-a-story-of-heroism-in-battle/

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

I lean towards the Swiss, Israeli and others plan, everyone serves in some way, not just military. But I think I like the way Robert Heinlein did it in "Starship Troopers" better, and I don't mean the awful movie - the original book. Everyone is a citizen with rights except only those who serve (voluntary with other service than military provided) can vote, run for office and hold certain kinds of jobs. It also included a mandatory high school level class on doing service - taught by a former service member. So everyone gets to pick, live a comfortable full safe life or spend a certain number of years serving and then you get to help run the government etc. You have to earn it!

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

I can't say I disagree with that at all. When I said I don't get angry at those who have not served that did not mean I have ever thought citizens should not contribute SOMETHING to the betterment of our society. For too long with our volunteer military we have seen veterans in this long war go back again and again to the war zone while perfectly healthy young men and women have confuted nothing to society.

Dennis

cheineck Loc: Hobe Sound, FL

Good responses... try watching THE HURT LOCKER.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

And never will most likely.

TriX Loc: Raleigh, NC

Another vote for universal military service - non combat roles for conscientious objectors, but EVERYONE serves. If that were the case, there would be less wars.

I am constantly reminded of some of the last words of my late after-in-law. He served as an officer on destroyers in the Pacific for the entire war and saw the worst of everything. On his death bed, the priest said: ‘you must be proud of your military service”. He replied:” there is nothing to be proud of about war”. Words of wisdom from a wise and brave man who had served his country with a substantial portion of his life.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

My son did a tour in Iraq with the 1st Cav - Combat Engineer - he had some friends in EOD - his opinion is that movie is pure "Bull Sh*t". About as real as most Hollywood stuff = any resemblance to the real thing was an accident after they put in their dramatic/romantic etc bits.

chase4 Loc: Punta Corona, California

"A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.' That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country now who no longer understand it." chase

2/17 CAV , 101st Airborne , I CORPS 1969-70

(Download)

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

The same things were said about Platoon several years ago. I went to see it, alone, and left badly shaken. I don't think I can do another movie like that.
I don't watch anything about the current desert wars.