Fifteen months in Hell. Welcome to Korengal: "Valley of Death."
Watching this documentary, I was filled with mixed emotions. Soldiers smiled and put on a face but their true emotions shined clear through. Enduring multiple firefights each day, the men of Second Platoon were worn and tired. Life goes by day to day. Some days better than others.
War is forever. Until the end of time there will be war. I imagine myself in the boots of these young men. It truly is a sobering thought. On second thought, I realize it's impossible to put myself in that situation. Why? The obvious reason is that I have never been to war. That I have never had to sleep in the cold of a foreign country. That I have never have to shoot a man because I was told to. I find myself filled with uncertainty. The media is filled with pro-military propaganda in the form of film, reports and articles. In the same vein, there is just as much anti-military propaganda to be seen. As a US citizen, I am exposed to both. As a civilian, I cannot discern falsities from reality.
My father worked distributing a newpaper called the Army Times when he was younger. The newspaper is written by those closely affiliated with the military. Naturally, it takes a positive approach to both the good and bad that happens overseas. Articles are not written as BREAKING NEWS. No, they stick to attracting the viewers interest without attempting to incite strong emotion. Far different from the approach that Fox News or CNN would take. Here are there respective sites. It truly is interesting how much they contrast and their respective methods/approach taken.
Army Times vs CNN Military Articles
Its a lot to think about, I know. As an eighteen year old male, I can only imagine how my life would have been different had I decided to enlist.
I found another great quote for your enjoyment!
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." - Albert Einstein
I like how you talked about your dad and gave your personal opinions of what is going on. It is hard to think that if enlisted how life would be different.
ReplyDeleteIt definitely is difficult to relate to the movie since none of us have been in these soldiers shoes before. I really liked how you explained your feelings towards how separated we are from the wars, and how different each source present the wars.
ReplyDeleteEver since I've seen army veterans or military enlistees, I have always wondered how my life would be different. I hear war stories quite often and each one of them emotionally gets to me. I don't think I could handle sleeping in a cold foreign country knowing that I was to kill or to be killed. I have a lot of respect for those who do serve the country, because I know I would be scared to. I also really like the quote from Albert Einstein that you included. It seems to be very plausible that that could happen.
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