Proud to be An American

If I were King, every high school student in the U.S. would watch the PBS series "Carrier."  The film shows the best of the best in American youth, as we climb aboard for a 50,000-mile adventure aboard the USS Nimitz during its deployment to the Gulf in support of the Iraq War. The 5000 sailors and Marines disembarked from Coronado, Calif., on May 7, 2005 and returned there November 8, 2005 with stops at Pearl Harbor, Hong Kong, Guam, Kuala Lumpur, Bahrain and Perth, Australia.

We get an inside look at the life of an American volunteer service man and woman. The film is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming. Every American should salute these brave and giving people, no matter your stance on the war. We should sacrifice so much, but all we have been asked to do is to go shopping, while our military men and women give and give and then give some more.

Watch the film. I cried at the end, and you will, too, if there is an ounce of pride inside you.

Comments

[Steve Woodruff]

Thanks for the recommendation, Lewis - just added to my Netflix queue!

[Jim Stroup]

Thanks very much, Lewis, for passing this along.

[Chris Cree]

Heya Lew! Having lived that life for a bit years ago I'm always nervous when an organization like PBS takes on a subject so near and dear to me.

Got a laugh about the "Road to Nowhere" track in the commercial. When we were working off Bosnia in the 90's we all said we were trapped in Groundhog Day. Not much that's more boring than a carrier turning circles tied to one little patch of ocean.

Just hope the producers weren't implying that a stop in the military equates to lack of preparation for life outside. If so they're totally off base. Some of the best prep I could have gotten was in uniform. Those lessons have served me well since getting out.

[Lewis Green]

Chris,

I spent nearly 8 years in the military and watched with a careful eye to bias. I was impressed with the production—lifers saying nothing beats the military; newbies counting the days until discharge. And sailors and marines with different points of view about everything—from their jobs to the war. That’s how I remember life in the military.

Thanks for serving.
Lewis

[Lewis Green]

Steve and Jim,

This is a must-see film. Thanks for stopping by.

Lewis

[Paul]

Hi,

Well, I didn't cry in the end - this does now mean that I'm not proud? Don't think so, but what I am proud of wouldn't be living in a country which attacks other nations for whatever reason. Remember, Iraq? You changed you reason for going to war about 4 times... and since you expect the same dilemma as in Vietnam, nothing to win, brutal and inhuman killing, hurting, raping, destruction of existential infrastructure by young and poor guys your government misuses for that dirty work.. It's a fucking mess you create there, don't forget!

So, what I can see on these pictures is nothing but expensive high technology driven by people who probably know nothing about the people they're going to kill with them.

I guess your view on war must be much more fascinated by this 'heroism' than I am. I see it as killing, murdering. And whatever morals you have - I guess, killing another human being should seem wrong to you, doesn't it?

Anyways,
with love, a.d.i

[Karen Hegmann]

Hi Lewis

Interesting clip. I was in the Naval Reserve (in Canada) for about 2 1/2 years. While I never served in a combat type role, I did see a tremendous amount of pride in what the Forces did. We feel that same kind of pride every day here in Canada, and every time a soldier comes home in a body bag it's an emotional time. There was so much public reaction to recognize these fallen soldiers that they renamed part of Highway 401 the "Highway of Heroes." When I see pictures of people gathering on bridges on the 401 when a soldier comes home like that, now that brings a tear to my eye.

While I think that Canada is great, I also have a tremendous amount of respect for the pride that Americans have in their country. This is shown in the comments of the people in the video clip. The fact that they see themselves as "protectors" for their freedoms is fabulous. That's what makes democracy great. It's having the right to protect our freedoms that makes us both the countries that we are.

One thing I would have done differently in the video was cut out the clip of the guy who says he didn't do well in high school - and decided to join the Navy. While there's nothing wrong with that, it gives the perception that it wasn't his first choice of occupation and that downplays the sense of pride in the clip.

[Lewis Green]

Paul,

It doesn’t matter my view or these soldiers view of this war. As long as there are people willing to kill others for country or religion, militaries are necessary. And those who serve are making huge sacrifices. I served throughout much of the Vietnam War. Was the war justified? Probably not. But that does not diminish the service that I and others gave. Civilians start wars, not the military. And civilians give the orders to fight. Those who obey those orders sacrifice much, especially for those who choose not to serve.

Lewis

[Lewis Green]

Karen,

I served with the 25th Air Division, NORAD, from 1966 – 1969, before heading off to a mountain top in Alaska to monitor Soviet air missions. While in the 25th, about half those I served with were Canadian. We made a great team, and I am proud to have served with them. Thank you for your service.

Lewis

[Douglas Karr]

It is an incredible series. You can watch the entire series at PBS online as well... much better quality than the other sites. I'd love to be able to post the entire series at NavyVets.com!

[Lewis Green]

Doug,

Thank you for sharing the online viewing opportunity. And thank you for serving.

Lewis

[Chris Cree]

Lew, thanks for sharing about your time in uniform here. That with your recommendation is enough for me to want to check this one out.

And thanks to Doug too for telling us about the quality of the online video. It is way better than what I usually find. I've bookmarked it for whenever I have some down time.