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Old movies and thoughts
May. 28th, 2004 03:01 pmSince I have no money to spend this four day weekend, I am sitting comfortably in my room watching the Turner Classic Movie channel. I think this is one of the best things about me and my fiance: we both enjoy old black and white movies tremendously, as well as movies from the late 40s to early 60s. Such movies as Rear Window with Jimmy Stewart, To Hell and Back, with Audi Murphy, and one of my all time favorites, While You Were Away, we could watch for hours on end, and have, lol.
My father was in the Navy for 22 years, and so I was raised very patriotic. I remember spending Memorial day and Veteran's day with my family watching old war movies.
But more than anything, I remember meeting the members of my father's association, Vietnam Veterans of America, or the VVA. On such holidays they would post a 24 hour vigil on the war memorial in my hometown, and I can still remember some of the items that were left there in tribute. A bottle of beer, a pack of cigarettes, a poem, a teddy bear.
While sitting sleepily next to my father at two or three in the morning, guarding that stone memorial from the lonliness of the night, I remember looking to the men sitting with him, and wondering at their silent bravery.
Each of those individuals had fought in that terrible war, had experianced the hate of their countrymen, and the loss of countless friends and comrads. To me, there is nothing more important than the remembrance of those who gave their life so that others may live.
Since I know that many of you are not from America, I direct this last comment to all who are. As you enjoy this weekend, please take a moment to remember why we are having it. It is not just a time to have bar-b-qs or sleep in late, though we surley enjoy all those things, but a time of remembrance as well.
This country that I live in, that I serve with my flesh and my blood, is something I would give my life for. I know I complain a lot about the Army, but it is truly the greatest acomplishment in my life, to be able to serve my country. Laugh if you will at my sentimentalism, but it is how I feel.
So all of you out there, whether in America or not, please take a moment, just a moment, to refect on all those brave souls who gave their lives for your countries. Because as corny and cheesy as it sounds, freedom is not, and never has been, free.
My father was in the Navy for 22 years, and so I was raised very patriotic. I remember spending Memorial day and Veteran's day with my family watching old war movies.
But more than anything, I remember meeting the members of my father's association, Vietnam Veterans of America, or the VVA. On such holidays they would post a 24 hour vigil on the war memorial in my hometown, and I can still remember some of the items that were left there in tribute. A bottle of beer, a pack of cigarettes, a poem, a teddy bear.
While sitting sleepily next to my father at two or three in the morning, guarding that stone memorial from the lonliness of the night, I remember looking to the men sitting with him, and wondering at their silent bravery.
Each of those individuals had fought in that terrible war, had experianced the hate of their countrymen, and the loss of countless friends and comrads. To me, there is nothing more important than the remembrance of those who gave their life so that others may live.
Since I know that many of you are not from America, I direct this last comment to all who are. As you enjoy this weekend, please take a moment to remember why we are having it. It is not just a time to have bar-b-qs or sleep in late, though we surley enjoy all those things, but a time of remembrance as well.
This country that I live in, that I serve with my flesh and my blood, is something I would give my life for. I know I complain a lot about the Army, but it is truly the greatest acomplishment in my life, to be able to serve my country. Laugh if you will at my sentimentalism, but it is how I feel.
So all of you out there, whether in America or not, please take a moment, just a moment, to refect on all those brave souls who gave their lives for your countries. Because as corny and cheesy as it sounds, freedom is not, and never has been, free.
