OT: Memorial Day weekend movie recommendation

[Jerry]

"One thing worries me -- will people believe me? Will they want to hear about it? Or will they want to forget the whole thing happened?" Lt j.g. Richard Strandberg (USN)...river patrol...Mekong Delta...May 1967 - May 1968

Lt. Strandberg got the answer he feared: people tend to forget. In fact, those in power are highly invested in forgetting. Worse yet, they appear to have learned nothing.

The men who so valiantly fought...and never lost a battle...in that no-win war deserve better. The movie linked below tells their story in letters they wrote home set against the backdrop of striking video footage and the music of the day. For my money, it's the most powerful and authentic war film ever made.

Memorial Day is about remembering. This movie is in memory of the men who fought in Vietnam...their courage...their sacrifice...and their tragedy:

 

[KCLion]

"One thing worries me -- will people believe me? Will they want to hear about it? Or will they want to forget the whole thing happened?" Lt j.g. Richard Strandberg (USN)...river patrol...Mekong Delta...May 1967 - May 1968

Lt. Strandberg got the answer he feared: people tend to forget. In fact, those in power are highly invested in forgetting. Worse yet, they appear to have learned nothing.

The men who so valiantly fought...and never lost a battle...in that no-win war deserve better. The movie linked below tells their story in letters they wrote home set against the backdrop of striking video footage and the music of the day. For my money, it's the most powerful and authentic war film ever made.

Memorial Day is about remembering. This movie is in memory of the men who fought in Vietnam...their courage...their sacrifice...and their tragedy:

View embedded media

Thank you for that. I am overwhelmed.

 

[Jerry]

Thank you for that. I am overwhelmed.

Thanks. Anyone who can make it through that movie without getting choked up at least once...and even more than once...is a tougher person than I.

 

[KCLion]

Thanks. Anyone who can make it through that movie without getting choked up at least once...and even more than once...is a tougher person than I.

Agreed! I was in tears for quite a bit of that production. And much like my recent hosting of several fraternity brothers at the WW1 museum during the National tournament, I was disgusted at how supposedly smart people would walk themselves right into catastrophic wars.

Approx 10 years too young for Vietnam, but know many who said they came back changed forever.

 

[cntblvitsbutter]

Such a tragic waste. I used to live in San Bruno, CA near a military cemetery with rows upon endless rows of headstones. As a child I just thought it was creepy, but now every time I think of those cemeteries I feel a deep sadness.

 

[Jerry]

Agreed! I was in tears for quite a bit of that production. And much like my recent hosting of several fraternity brothers at the WW1 museum during the National tournament, I was disgusted at how supposedly smart people would walk themselves right into catastrophic wars.

Approx 10 years too young for Vietnam, but know many who said they came back changed forever.

It was right around the time of Vietnam that the "smart people" created a system, and it still exists today, where it is not they or their kids or friends who pay the price for the catastrophic mistakes you mention.

I graduated high school at age 17 in 1972 by which time our ground involvement was pretty much over, but I nevertheless asked my Dad to sign the papers to allow me to enlist in the Marines. A former Marine himself with a gift for cutting through bullshit, he said, son, I'm not signing you up for a war nobody wants to win...go to college.

I took his advice but joined up four years later...MOS 2641...voice intercept operator...Russian language. Never heard a shot fired in anger during my 3-year tour but did get to know a few Marine combat vets of Vietnam. They fought as well as any men ever in the history of this country but afterward got no parades...no thanks...no understanding of what had happened or why. However, to this day I love those guys and am proud to consider them brothers.

 

[GregInPitt]

Just finished watching Go For Broke, about Japanese Americans fighting in Italy and France. Recorded it on TCM, along with about 10 other great movies about the brave men who gave us and defended the freedoms we enjoy and take forgranted too often in these days we live in. Sadly, Memorial Day makes me wonder how so many in this country abuse the freedoms they have and seek to undermine the freedoms themselves. Surely we need some new leaders that have the guts to stick up to the groups who seem to be growing that seek to undermine our freedoms.

 

[rrdd2021]

The Longest Day - my all-time favorite war movie

 

[KCLion]

It was right around the time of Vietnam that the "smart people" created a system, and it still exists today, where it is not they or their kids or friends who pay the price for the catastrophic mistakes you mention.

I graduated high school at age 17 in 1972 by which time our ground involvement was pretty much over, but I nevertheless asked my Dad to sign the papers to allow me to enlist in the Marines. A former Marine himself with a gift for cutting through bullshit, he said, son, I'm not signing you up for a war nobody wants to win...go to college.

I took his advice but joined up four years later...MOS 2641...voice intercept operator...Russian language. Never heard a shot fired in anger during my 3-year tour but did get to know a few Marine combat vets of Vietnam. They fought as well as any men ever in the history of this country but afterward got no parades...no thanks...no understanding of what had happened or why. However, to this day I love those guys and am proud to consider them brothers.

Wow, I graduated at 17 in 1978 and parents had to sign for me to go to the Naval Academy. Last minute, I got cold feet regarding the Academy and accepted NROTC scholarship to PSU. Most action I ever saw was war games at sea and shadowing Soviet vessels.

Much respect for those guys that fought despite the lack of political will to see it through once they got started.

 

[Wandering Spectator]

The Blue Angels documentary on Prime is pretty good. Incredible precision.

 

[Jerry]

Wow, I graduated at 17 in 1978 and parents had to sign for me to go to the Naval Academy. Last minute, I got cold feet regarding the Academy and accepted NROTC scholarship to PSU. Most action I ever saw was war games at sea and shadowing Soviet vessels.

Much respect for those guys that fought despite the lack of political will to see it through once they got started.

Cool thing, your Naval service! Before entering the priesthood, our current pastor was a Naval officer who did NROTC at Notre Dame.

In fact, my Dad was NROTC at Penn State and then commissioned as a Marine officer after graduation. He was assigned to command the military police unit at Cherry Point Marine Air Station which is where I was born.

 

[step.eng69]

Cool thing, your Naval service! Before entering the priesthood, our current pastor was a Naval officer who did NROTC at Notre Dame.

In fact, my Dad was NROTC at Penn State and then commissioned as a Marine officer after graduation. He was assigned to command the military police unit at Cherry Point Marine Air Station which is where I was born.

Father Toomey was our pastor @ Our Lady of Victory, Harvey's Lake. I usually don't fare well with priests, but Father Toomey was a heck of a guy. Never without a smile on his face.

ANNUAL BOAT BLESSING @ HARVEY'S LAKE

Pete G. Wilcox/The Times Leader
The Rev. Daniel Toomey on Tuesday became College Misericordia’s new chaplain.

DALLAS TWP. – Daniel Albert Toomey always felt that something was urging him to become a priest.
But, because he wanted to experience many things in life, he didn’t pay much attention to it at first.
But Toomey realized he could no longer ignore the calling and decided to enter the priesthood. The Rev. Daniel Albert Toomey, 44, officially began his new assignment Tuesday as the College Misericordia chaplain.
“I look forward to working at College Misericordia and feel very blessed being chosen as their chaplain,” Toomey said. “I feel very blessed being called as the pastor of the parish, too.”

Toomey was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2003 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton. The Pittsburgh native served at the Church of St. Matthew in East Stroudsburg for four years until recently being reassigned to College Misericordia and as pastor of Church of St. Frances X. Cabrini in Carverton. Toomey’s primary duty is to serve as chaplain, as part of the campus ministry department.

Before becoming a priest, Toomey joined the U.S. Army in 1985 and says he was always hand-selected for assignments. Toomey was a combat engineer and topographic engineer who was in charge of soldiers as a platoon leader and company commander. As a captain, Toomey was responsible for commanding all topographical elements in Europe that supported Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.

He was stationed at the Army Space Program Office in Washington, D.C., and managed a $50 million top-secret research-and-development program. The Army selected Toomey three times as The Army Astronaut Nominee, but he never was chosen to become an astronaut.

As a seminarian and a priest, Toomey has performed missionary work in Tanzania, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala and Arizona along the Mexican border. He worked as a Catholic priest at the Monroe County Correctional Facility and Pocono Medical Center. In addition, Toomey ran the high school youth group at the Church of St. Matthew.

Toomey says his family plays a big role in his life, even though they live across the state.
“My family gave me the wings to be able to leave my home in Pittsburgh and do whatever I felt called to and still be close to them,” he said.

Yet, it is the experiences Toomey has lived through that make him feel ready to take on his latest role, serving among diverse young people.

“My background prepared me to be able to handle many challenges,” he said. “And I think the Holy Spirit utilizes that.”

 

[Jerry]

Father Toomey was our pastor @ Our Lady of Victory, Harvey's Lake. I usually don't fare well with priests, but Father Toomey was a heck of a guy. Never without a smile on his face.

ANNUAL BOAT BLESSING @ HARVEY'S LAKE

Pete G. Wilcox/The Times Leader
The Rev. Daniel Toomey on Tuesday became College Misericordia’s new chaplain.

DALLAS TWP. – Daniel Albert Toomey always felt that something was urging him to become a priest.
But, because he wanted to experience many things in life, he didn’t pay much attention to it at first.
But Toomey realized he could no longer ignore the calling and decided to enter the priesthood. The Rev. Daniel Albert Toomey, 44, officially began his new assignment Tuesday as the College Misericordia chaplain.
“I look forward to working at College Misericordia and feel very blessed being chosen as their chaplain,” Toomey said. “I feel very blessed being called as the pastor of the parish, too.”

Toomey was ordained a Roman Catholic priest in 2003 at St. Peter’s Cathedral in Scranton. The Pittsburgh native served at the Church of St. Matthew in East Stroudsburg for four years until recently being reassigned to College Misericordia and as pastor of Church of St. Frances X. Cabrini in Carverton. Toomey’s primary duty is to serve as chaplain, as part of the campus ministry department.

Before becoming a priest, Toomey joined the U.S. Army in 1985 and says he was always hand-selected for assignments. Toomey was a combat engineer and topographic engineer who was in charge of soldiers as a platoon leader and company commander. As a captain, Toomey was responsible for commanding all topographical elements in Europe that supported Europe, Africa and Southwest Asia.

He was stationed at the Army Space Program Office in Washington, D.C., and managed a $50 million top-secret research-and-development program. The Army selected Toomey three times as The Army Astronaut Nominee, but he never was chosen to become an astronaut.

As a seminarian and a priest, Toomey has performed missionary work in Tanzania, Haiti, Honduras, Guatemala and Arizona along the Mexican border. He worked as a Catholic priest at the Monroe County Correctional Facility and Pocono Medical Center. In addition, Toomey ran the high school youth group at the Church of St. Matthew.

Toomey says his family plays a big role in his life, even though they live across the state.
“My family gave me the wings to be able to leave my home in Pittsburgh and do whatever I felt called to and still be close to them,” he said.

Yet, it is the experiences Toomey has lived through that make him feel ready to take on his latest role, serving among diverse young people.

“My background prepared me to be able to handle many challenges,” he said. “And I think the Holy Spirit utilizes that.”

Thanks, Step. Sounds like a good man. We're seeing more of this...guys entering the priesthood later in life after stints in business or the military...and it's a very good thing in my opinion.

Re Harvey's Lake, one of my daughters and her family live near Tunkhannock which, as you probably know, is not too far from there...maybe 10 miles or so.

 

[step.eng69]

Thanks, Step. Sounds like a good man. We're seeing more of this...guys entering the priesthood later in life after stints in business or the military...and it's a very good thing in my opinion.

Re Harvey's Lake, one of my daughters and her family live near Tunkhannock which, as you probably know, is not too far from there...maybe 10 miles or so.

Jerry,
Tunkhannock and surrounding area is a beautiful place to live. My groundfather and uncles would take me there often in the 60’s to fish the Susquehanna River.

Trying to see if I can watch your recommendation on the tv, the list of speakers is tremendous

 

[Jerry]

Jerry,
Tunkhannock and surrounding area is a beautiful place to live. My groundfather and uncles would take me there often in the 60’s to fish the Susquehanna River.

Trying to see if I can watch your recommendation on the tv, the list of speakers is tremendous

Yup, Tunkhannock is a nice little town. It was devastated when the Susquehanna flooded a few years ago but seems to have recovered.

My daughter lives several miles outside town. They own 30 acres and have reaped a financial windfall from the natural gas boom up there. The companies pay monthly royalties to pipe the gas under their property. The wells themselves are actually a few miles away. It's mind-blowing really.

Totally agree with you about the A-list letter-readers in that movie. It was really heartening that so many high-powered Hollywood figures participated. I doubt they were paid much (or anything) for that.

We have YouTube on our cable system and can watch anything from that platform on our television. But the film packs a punch even on a laptop.

 

[step.eng69]

Yup, Tunkhannock is a nice little town. It was devastated when the Susquehanna flooded a few years ago but seems to have recovered.

My daughter lives several miles outside town. They own 30 acres and have reaped a financial windfall from the natural gas boom up there. The companies pay monthly royalties to pipe the gas under their property. The wells themselves are actually a few miles away. It's mind-blowing really.

Totally agree with you about the A-list letter-readers in that movie. It was really heartening that so many high-powered Hollywood figures participated. I doubt they were paid much (or anything) for that.

We have YouTube on our cable system and can watch anything from that platform on our television. But the film packs a punch even on a laptop.

Found the movie on TV-YouTube.
Watching now…Mid 60’s to mid 70’s era ,
The fun, the bad & the ugly of times

 

[Jerry]

The Longest Day - my all-time favorite war movie

I loved The Longest Day and was so excited to see it as an 8-year old kid in the one-screen Irving Theater (long gone) in Carbondale, Pennsylvania. An amazing array of actors and theme music I remember to this day.

But the version of war that the film depicted was sanitized and glamorous...the Hollywood standard at the time. Real war as captured in the incredible real-life video footage of Letters Home is not that way.

Even WWII, the "Good War" of most people's imagination, was not remotely that way. Rather, it was brutal, vicious, and dehumanizing.

One of our neighbors -- he lived right across the street in the small NEPA town where I grew up -- was an Army veteran of WWII. He saw action in Europe...and couldn't bring himself to talk about it. I think the memories of what he saw...and what he did...were too painful for words.

 

[step.eng69]

At 58:25 into the movie, our Penn Stater, Rosie Grier is on stage w/ Hope and company. Grier did numerous Christmas specials w/Hope