a very busy week at the plantation. And next week looks to be the same. At least I’m not working today!
It’s spring break time so the girls will be hanging out around the trailer some. 1 made it in yesterday but I didn’t get a chance to see her, she was already off to the rodeo by the time I made it home. 2 will be coming in Tuesday barring a change in plans.
SU and I stayed in last night, ordered a pizza and watched We Were Soldiers. This movie came out in 2002 but the reviews were not all that good and it sorta went away without coming, if you know what I mean. And truly, Mel Gibson’s southern accent and stiff acting in this is not his best work. But the storyline was excellent and the supporting cast did very well.
A couple of scenes were very pertinent to today’s war in Iraq. The first one that comes to mind is the Army’s handing off of delivering death notices via Western Union and a taxi driver. The main characters wife, played by Madeleine Stowe, observes that the Army just wasn’t prepared for the mass loss of life. Reminded me of today’s controversy surrounding Walter Reed hospital and veteran’s care. Some things never change.
The second scene that comes to mind this morning was of the media helicopter landing after the battle is over. It was a horrific 3 or 4 day battle, with scores of dead from both sides, the Vietnamese bodies still laying in the open fields. The media rushes off the helicopter, clean and proper, firing questions at the very tired soldiers, as if this were just another day at the office. The fatigued, wounded, mentally exhausted (PTSD?) soldiers turn away in exasperation as they are asked about their great victory.
Is there ever victory on the battlefield? Or is victory a function of history, spin and politics? Makes me wonder.
[…] to get my page made for Pfc. Kosters from Monday’s ride. I keep thinking about the scene in We Were Soldiers where the wife that was helping distribute bad news is confronted with her own bad […]