Top 25 War Movies...

As listed by Moviefone... I never had much interest in these when they came out. I was either not yet born :) or too "busy" with the kids and life in general. Now I'm soaking up everything I can. So, my mission is to watch all of these movies by the end of this year. A few I have seen, and they are what initially sparked my interest. I'm sad my favorite didn't make the list. (The Dirty Dozen) Ok, I admit, I liked that one at first only because of Lee Marvin and Charles Bronson *swoon*. But after about the 30th time, I actually LIKED the movie. I think it was more about recognizing the good in wayward people, having them come together and kick some enemy ass. And really, Telly Savalas made a hell of a crazy man.

Moviefone Top 25 War Movies (ranked 25 – 1)
25. 2002 The Pianist
24. 1941 SGT York
23. 1953 Stalag 17
22. 1998 The Thin Red Line
*21. 1951 The African Queen
20. 1970 M*A*S*H
19. 2005 Downfall
18. 1970 Patton
17. 1930 All Quiet on the Western Front
16. 2006 Letters from Iwo Jima
15. 1999 Deer Hunters
14. 1962 The Longest Day
13. 1989 Glory
12. 1957 The Bridge on the River Kwai
11. 1978 The Deer Hunter
10. 1995 Braveheart
9. 1962 Lawrence of Arabia
8. 1963 The Great Escape
7. 1957 Paths of Glory
6. 1981 Das Boot
5. 1987 Full Metal Jacket
4. 1993 Schindler’s List
*3. 1999 Saving Private Ryan
2. 1986 Platoon
1. 1979 Apocolypse Now

* Movies I've actually watched. (yes it's true, I have NOT watched Braveheart or Platoon-I am not worthy.)

Other Military/History/War/Battle related Movies that have caught my attention:

The Last Castle - I like the story line... the reviews weren't great, but it kept my interest. And that's not an easy thing to do.

Men of Honor - Anything with De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jr is good, both is bonus!

Pearl Harbor - Kinda sappy love stuff in it for the gals, but it winds together well. I can only imagine living in that era.

A Few Good Men - Not a huge Cruise fan, but Nicholas ALWAYS plays the wayward villain well.

If you know of any others... tell me tell me tellllll me... Leave a comment, or shoot me an email... jemcelina at aol dot com. I'd love to hear from you...

Quest for Knowledge... the Journey Begins

I am always in search of knowledge and understanding. This is especially true as it ("it" being the happenings that mold, form and affect our everyday lives) is now somehow more important to me to understand the whats, whys and wherefores of history as it relates to where I am now, and how it will and/or does affect my future.

I admit, I was not one for History in school; it bored me. (I know, how stupid was I?) Now, I sit enthralled by everything on the History channel, wishing I had more hours in the day to soak it all up. I read, I "google", I am so ignorant.

I've heard the saying, "'You must understand the past or you are doomed to repeat it'" or some such similar saying. Only now am I beginning to grasp what truths lie behind this. Unfortunately (and I mean that), I was born in that in-between time where these truths were not relayed to us. Obviously, I was not born in the WWI, WWII, Korean, or Viet Nam eras. I started life out about 1 year before Viet Nam ended. By the time I was old enough to grasp what it was, it was more the subject of sad jokes and whispers. We barely ever made it through WWI in the entire school career of History classes I took. We occasionally touched on WWII, just enough to get you interested, and then the year would be over. I don't remember ever studying anything beyond that. Doesn't say much for our education back then, and I graduated 8th in my class.

So now I'm 29 (laugh if you will) -ish and find myself painfully ignorant of past recent history and seemingly nowhere to learn. In school, Viet Nam was not spoken of, and I was barely into my teens during Beirut and Grenada. Sadly, it was not until just a few days ago that i even had an inkling of what those were even about. And I am just sick to find out about the loss of all those Marines in October of 1983. What I remember of that time was cheering for our Junior High football team, school dances and silly shit that is so meaningless now that I am actually embarrassed. I vaguely remember Desert Storm (i was into my second child and the world was a blur.) I do remember watching the news and seeing the Patriot Missiles take down the SCUD Missiles EVERY TIME and cheering wildly. I still am not entirely sure of the entire story behind that. Now with Saddam executed, I'm gaining a clearer picture.

I am not proud of the fact that I know so little of our Military history. I am less proud that I did not get more involved with supporting our Heroes before this last year. 9/11 rocked my world. I remember vividly where I was, who I was speaking with and being nearly catatonic from shock for roughly 2 days. I was a fortunate one in that I did not lose a loved one, know anyone or even know a friend of a friend in the tragedy. I was sad for all those as I watched in complete disbelief. And then I was REAAAALLLLYYY pissed off.

I grew up in a little 3 light town, hangin' out drinking beer with the gang when the police would just take you home instead of busting you. Cruisin' Main Street, hangin' out at the Dairy Whip or down by the slaw factory when the pool was closed, we'd be out til 2-3am and never think anything of walking around the block at midnight. We could sleep with our doors unlocked and windows open. Mine are now bolted shut soon as I step inside. I live in a small city, normal crime, drugs being the high of the day. But never, ever, once was I ever led to believe that something such as the Twin Towers/Plane/Pentagon would ever take place in America. Other countries, yep, heard about terrorists all the time. This place, hell no. This was the greatest country in the world!!! You can do what you want, go where you want, say as you please, be educated, have all your dreams in this country. I couldn't imagine why anyone WOULDN'T want to be here. It still befuddles me. Thanks mom and dad for giving me such a happy childhood and the thought that the world is a good and kind place. I mean that sincerely. I know now it is not. But I have instilled that in my children along with the knowledge that evil lurks and to be prepared.

I have always known my dad was in the US Navy before I was born. I recently found out my Grandfather was as well. I am fortunate to still have my Dad to be able to ask questions, my Grandfather I am not. I lost him many years ago. I am sad today that I was too young when he was around and able-minded to answer the questions I now have. I guess this is where I initially obtained my sense of country and pride. That and my mother was fanatically patriotic. She was of the hippie era, and such a strange mix of free love, live and let live jive and the Red, White and Blue USA. So here I am. I am not a political whiz. I vote because I am able, and because a lot of people sacrificed so I could. I am not thrilled with the war; however. I know that as an independent nation, it is a necessary evil to remain an independent nation. I will gladly support that. And you can damn sure bet that I will support each and every Hero who defends my rights and freedoms. Always. Each and every one.

So now my quest begins... and I'm enlisting the help of you folks out there. I will post questions, articles I've found, and other items that lead me to questions. I have an inquiring mind. I will have questions, form opinions and ask for clarity. Your mission is to comment on my musings, point out my misunderstandings and bring clarity to all who are interested in any of the past wars, "incidents" and Operations. I look to the older generations for guidance in this. We are fast losing our Veterans of past wars. It is not a political forum, although I'm sure that will play a part in the reasonings. There is no "war protesting". This is just a path to clear understanding.

A Mother Asks Why?

A mother asked President Bush "Why did my son have to die?"

Another mother asked President Kennedy "Why did my son have to die in Vietnam?"

Another mother asked President Truman "Why did my son have to die in Korea?"

Another mother asked President F.D. Roosevelt "Why did my son have to die Iwo Jima?"

Another mother asked President W. Wilson "Why did my son have to die in France?"

Yet another mother asked President Lincoln "Why did my son have to die at Gettysburg?"

Another mother asked President Washington "Why did my son have to die near Valley Forge?"

Long, long ago a mother asked "Heavenly Father, why did my son have to die on a cross outside of Jerusalem?"

The answer to all of them is the same "So others may have life and dwell in peace, happiness and freedom."

And our life is difficult... how?

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes. He stays up for days on end.
_________________________
You take a warm shower to help you wake up. He goes days or weeks without running water.
__________________________
You complain of a "headache", and call in sick. He gets shot at as others are hit, and keeps moving forward.
__________________________
You put on your anti war/don't support the troops shirt, and go meet up with your friends. He still fights for your right to wear that shirt
__________________________
You make sure your cell phone is in your pocket. He clutches the cross hanging on his chain next to his dog tags.
__________________________
You talk trash about your "buddies" that aren't with you. He knows he may not see some of his buddies again.
__________________________
You walk down the beach, staring at all the pretty girls. He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
__________________________
You complain about how hot it is. He wears his heavy gear, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
__________________________
You go out to lunch, and complain because the restaurant got your order wrong. He doesn't get to eat today.
__________________________
Your maid makes your bed and washes your clothes. He wears the same things for weeks, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
__________________________
You go to the mall and get your hair redone. He doesn't have time to brush his teeth today.
__________________________
You're angry because your class ran 5 minutes over. He's told he will be held over an extra 2 months.
__________________________
You call your girlfriend and set a date for tonight. He waits for the mail to see if there is a letter from home.
__________________________
You hug and kiss your girlfriend, like you do everyday. He holds his letter close and smells his love's perfume.
__________________________
You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet
__________________________
You criticize your government, and say that war never solves anything. He sees the innocent tortured and killed by their own people and remembers why he is fighting.
__________________________
You hear the jokes about the war, and make fun of men like him. He hears the gunfire, bombs and screams of the wounded.
__________________________
You see only what the media wants you to see. He sees the broken bodies lying around him.
__________________________
You are asked to go to the store by your parents. You don't. He does exactly what he is told.
__________________________
You stay at home and watch TV. He takes whatever time he is given to call, write home, sleep, and eat.
__________________________
You crawl into your soft bed, with down pillows, and get comfortable. He crawls under a tank for shade and a 5 minute nap, only to be woken by gunfire.
__________________________
You sit there and judge him, saying the world is probably a worse place because of men like him. If only there were more men like him!
____________________________

The Monsters and the Weak

The sun beat like a hammer,
not a cloud was in the sky.
The mid-day air ran thick with dust,
my throat was parched and dry.
With microphone clutched tight in hand
and cameraman in tow,
I ducked beneath a fallen roof,
surprised to hear "stay low."

My eyes blinked several times
before in shadow I could see,
the figure stretched across the rubble,
steps away from me.
He wore a cloak of burlap strips,
all shades of gray and brown,
that hung in tatters
till he seemed to melt into the ground.
He never turned his head
or took his eye from off the scope,
but pointed through the broken wall
and down the rocky slope.

"About eight hundred yards," he said,
his whispered words concise,
"beneath the baggy jacket
he is wearing a device."
A chill ran up my spine
despite the swelter of the heat,
"You think he's gonna set it off
along the crowded street?"
The sniper gave a weary sigh
and said "I wouldn't doubt it,"
"unless there's something
this old gun and I can do about it."

A thunderclap, a tongue of flame,
the still abruptly shattered;
while citizens that walked the street
were just as quickly scattered.
Till only one remained,
a body crumpled on the ground,
The threat to oh so many
ended by a single round.
And yet the sniper had no cheer,
no hint of any gloat,
instead he pulled a logbook out
and quietly he wrote.

"Hey, I could put you on TV,
that shot was quite a story!"
But he surprised me once again --
"I got no wish for glory."
"Are you for real?" I asked in awe,
"You don't want fame or credit?"
He looked at me with saddened eyes
and said "you just don't get it."
"You see that shot-up length of wall,
the one without a door?
Before a mortar hit,
it used to be a grocery store."
"But don't go thinking that
to bomb a store is all that cruel,
the rubble just across the street --
it used to be a school.
The little kids played soccer
in the field out by the road,"
His head hung low, "They never thought
a car would just explode."
"As bad as all this is though,
it could be a whole lot worse,"
He swallowed hard, the words came
from his mouth just like a curse.
"Today the fight's on foreign land,
on streets that aren't my own,"
"I'm here today 'cause if I fail,
the next fight's back at home."
"And I won't let my Safeway burn,
my neighbors dead inside,
don't wanna get a call from school
that says my daughter died;
I pray that not a one of them w
ill know the things I see,
nor have the work of terrorists
etched in their memory."
"So you can keep your trophies
and your fleeting bit of fame,
I don't care if I make the news,
or if they speak my name."

He glanced toward the camera
and his brow began to knot,
"If you're looking for a story,
why not give this one a shot."
"Just tell the truth of what you see,
without the slant or spin;
that most of us are OK
and we're coming home again.
And why not tell our folks back home
about the good we've done,
how when they see Americans,
the kids come at a run."
You tell 'em what it means to folks here
just to speak their mind,
without the fear that tyranny
is just a step behind;
Describe the desert miles they walk
in their first chance to vote,
or ask a soldier if he's proud,
I'm sure you'll get a quote."

He turned and slid the rifle
in a drag bag thickly padded,
then looked again with eyes of steel
as quietly he added;
"And maybe just remind the few,
if ill of us they speak,
that we are all that stands
between the monsters and the weak."

Michael Marks January 2006