Art As A Path To Understanding The War Experience

Since the beginning of time when man first went to war, there's an oft-repeated sentiment: "Unless you've been in combat, you can't understand what we've been through."

There is truth in this, but the bigger problem is that as a nation, we're very good at speaking about things that don't matter. We know more about misbehaving starlets, than how Joe feels after having come back from a year of taking heavy fire, or how Tom is coping raising three kids while his wife Betty is taking small arms fire in the combat zone. Why? Emotional baggage is heavy, only the hardiest of souls take it on.

Still, those cloaks we defensively don come with bluster often confused with conversation. That's how we end up in impenetrable camps. Examining my own life there's the writer's camp, the military supporters camp, milspouse, moms, fashionistas, gardeners, and yoga camps. All with needs and desires, some unique, but upon examination, crooked paths merge.
Operation Homecoming

As we build our own bridges, what matters is to share our experiences and wisdom ....without judgment. I know, sometimes it isn't fun and instinctively there are times we'd like to don our handy-cloaks. I've been held at bay by pointed end of the yogic spear, feeling hot yoga turn cold as I walked into the studio wearing my husband's Army t-shirt. But there I was. And they had no choice but to accept that I was there. Conversely, I had no choice but to try to believe that each of us were doing our best.

Fear of judgment is what holds people back from telling their stories. It's true, I will never know what it's like to have been in combat. And they might never know what it was like to be me, running to yoga class while my husband was in the combat zone, feeling as though my heart was torn out. Or worrying about what he has seen, and wondering how we will ever be able to live with it.

Sigh. Step back. Look at the bigger world beyond ours. That's why we have writing, photography, documentaries, film, painting, poetry, drawing, and performance art. Because avenues of expressing how we feel are not limited to "therapy" groups. Art is an amazing spectrum that can bring like-minded people together, and can reach out to those are curious, and even disinterested.

I recently worked as the military outreach liaison for the war documentary Restrepo. This film combines art, humanity and war, telling the story of the 2/503 Battle Company, 173rd ABN in the Korengal Valley. Restrepo is a film by Tim Hetherington & Sebastian Junger about one platoon, for one year, in one valley who faced some of the toughest fighting at the tip of the spear. Daily firefights that came one after another, the loss of friends, succumbing to and trying to overcome the numbness that seeps in as a defense mechanism. This film is one that speaks to a lot of soldiers, and made many felt that at last, now maybe outsiders could understand what they had gone through emotionally.

While it was hard to watch, one couldn't stop. Because in full view was their humanity. The brotherhood on the screen was nothing short of beautiful and moving in the face of such violence and tragedy.

Get beyond the cloak. See the humanity. This is the purpose of art. Art provides many avenues to help us not only express, but experience other worlds. Art can be the way back to faith, not only to God or some other higher spirit, but also to the faith we must have within ourselves.

Video by Tim Hetherington & Sebastian Junger
Sgt. Jason Mace speaks about his good friend, PFC Juan Restrepo who played his guitar to help his fellow soldiers feel better

Honor Them

Gold Star Mother Memorial in Kent, NY
Three years ago today, the charismatic, guitar playing medic PFC Juan Restrepo was killed in combat in the Korengal Valley. He was one of many who lost their lives in Afghanistan. The road forward for family and friends has not been easy, their loved ones are held in their hearts forever.

Undeniable and long lasting sorrow is an outcome of war. One of the groups I reached out to as part of the PR team for the war documentary Restrepo was the American Gold Star Mothers. These women have lost sons and daughters in Iraq, Afghanistan and other wars. After a quiet conversation, I left it up to them to decide whether or not to attend. Many did. It could not have been easy to watch, but they were able to witness the love and brotherhood that grows as the result of combat.

When I talk about sacrifice, I keep in mind the many ways they are being honored in Afghanistan today. A girl who can go to school, a woman who is an entrepreneur, a boy receiving western medical treatment for burns, and a man who is wiring WiFi around Jalalabad are the fruits of their sacrifice. If war can make us wiser and more compassionate to one another, then this too is honoring those we have lost.


Today on the Restrepo Movie Facebook page, National Geographic is posting about those lost in combat. Come leave your thoughts, and give special tribute to the loved ones left behind, who must carry on.

Tim Hetherington On The Injuries at Rock Avalanche

Update: 4/23/2011 Last summer, as we were having our L.A. Press Day for the film, Nat Geo gave me the opportunity to ask Tim questions for inclusion to the press. They've been edited down, but I remember sitting across from him asking the questions for a good twenty minutes. It was a great round, and both of us enjoyed it. I hope his Mum sees this. -Kanani

In Sebastian Junger's book "WAR," there's a scene from an event called Rock Avalanche. It was one of the most harrowing moments in the film, one where the action never stops, yet for all the violence seems to go in slow motion. At the end of it, one soldier was killed and two others were injured in the ambush. If there is one scene in the entire film Restrepo that will stay with you, it is this one. What wasn't told in the narrative, is Tim Hetherington was there. Here, Tim talks about getting off the mountain. I'm sure his Mum is relieved now, and probably staggered a bit after reading the details.

Writers, Weather, The Savannah Slide & William Faulkner

Like most writers, I can be flummoxed by weather. Writers have peculiar lives. Many stay inside for days, going out at night once the sun has set to walk the dog, run errands, hence maintaining pallid complexions. Away from our studios, we often find ourselves at the mercy of weather. I'm in Savannah for the summer. An insane proposition until you consider that I'm practicing a semblance of family life with Daughter & Hubs. It's a swamp here, and I am learning the walk.

The walk is what most Savannahians do. It's a "super slo-mo" gait through humidity that threatens to render the walker senseless in a matter of minutes. The legs move, the arms stay quiet down by the sides. There is no bounce to the step as you'd find in NYC, no pounding of heels as they do in L.A. No, this is a smooth, quiet slide that can only be described as the Savannah slide.

This weekend we went to the Telfair museums downtown. It's located in three separate buildings, one a few block from the others. While the scenery is beautiful, the heat is saps away at both strength and sanity as one slides past city squares and under graceful canopies of the giant oaks to get to the next museum. That's when ducking into businesses comes into play. The writer rediscovers the gift of small talk, browsing, and fortunately something we're good at --grabbing a quick cup of coffee or iced tea and basking for few minutes in air conditioning to restore the brain cell loss.

Perhaps Faulkner's run-on sentences were the result of writing in humid weather where everything to goes on forever. What use is a period if all one had was a fan to cool him off as he wrote in suffocatingly hot weather? Perhaps the late twentieth century style of writing like Raymond Carver was only made possible by air conditioning? I'm not sure. But it doesn't matter. Letting opinions like this glide through my mind in the sultry weather of summer has to be a norm, as I try to do the Savannah slide under the moss covered oaks of the city.

On The Road With Restrepo: Ft. Benning & Ft. Campbell

This last week marks the final sneak-previews of the film Restrepo. We traveled through really crazy weather to Ft. Benning & Ft. Campbell. SGM LaMonta Caldwell and Filmmaker Tim Hetherington didn't make it in due to serious lightening strikes and torrential downpours in the Southeast. Fortunately, everything went off without a hitch, thanks to the expertise of COL Bill Ostlund and MAJ Dan Kearney. The Ft. Benning screening was held at the Carmike Wynnsong 10. Loretta, the manager of the theater, had set up a very nice display, and even thought to feature our the sponsors who made the screenings possible: HealthNet, Lockheed Martin, Southwest, The Soldier's Project and IAVA.

During the screening at Ft. Benning, one young lady asked COL Ostlund and MAJ Kearney a lot of questions. They were questions of someone who wasn't familiar with the war (they were civilians from the town of Columbus) and to many, they might have seemed naive, even annoying. But both Ostlund and Kearney handled the questions with aplomb, which is exactly the point: the filmmakers want people to ask questions. There should be a discussion about war, and though the military support community is the bedrock audience, this film is for everyone regardless of politics or thoughts on the war.

SGM Caldwell did manage to catch the last flight into Columbus. MAJ Kearney picked him up, and the two went and caught up on time. He might have missed the screening, but at least he got to see his old friend. The next morning, Nat Geo promoter Laura Kim dropped us off at the airport and it was off to Ft. Campbell.

We arrived, and Tim Hetherington was busy with press interviews. When completed, we went to Ft. Campbell. Garrison Commander COL Clark showed up and spoke at length with Tim. HealthNet's George Beringer and Ken Griffin were there, and two volunteers from IAVA also showed up with materials. In addition, volunteers and staff from Family Life set up a table with materials aimed at PTSD and combat stress. Tom Matthews and Elizabeth Goodman-Bluhm of the Wilson Reel Time Theater coordinated the event, and there was a nice-sized crowd, which included several former soldiers of the 173rd.

At the very end of the evening, Tim & SGM Caldwell were awarded quilts the Quilts of Valor Foundation. These quilts are given to soldiers who have been "touched by war." Both Tim & Sebastian were accorded a rare honor, being two of the few civilians who have received these handmade quilts. They were touched and honored.

Restrepo: Film to open in more theaters on Friday

Film poster set up at the Carmike theater

Today, I'm writing this from a hotel in Nashville. Filmmaker Tim Hetherington, SGM La Monta Caldwell, and I are on the road with the war documentary, Restrepo. This Friday marks a critical point, and the film industry throughout the US is looking to see what happens next with this small documentary that combines artistry, humanity, and war.

This Friday July 16, Restrepo opens at many new cities as well as near military posts throughout the U.S. It continues in many of the cities where it's already showing.

If we can pack these venues this weekend, chances are more theaters around the country will continue to book the film. Perhaps a discussion may begin in our very divided nation.

Click here for the movie
"Find A Theater"
Opening July 16:

El Paso, TX (Ft. Bliss)	Carmike 16
Dallas, TX	Angelika Film Center 8
*July 16, 5:45pm and 8:15pm showings followed by Q&A session with SGTs. Jay Liske and Brandon Young
*July 17, 5:45pm and 8:15pm showings followed by Q&A session with SGTs. Jay Liske and Brandon Young
Clarksville, TN (Ft. Campbell)	Governor's Square 10
Fayetteville, NC (Ft. Bragg)	Carmike Market Fair 15
Berkeley, CA	Shattuck 10
Seattle, WA	Varsity
Arlington, VA	Shirlington 7
Columbus, GA (Ft. Benning)	Carmike Wynnsong 10
Toronto, ON Canada	AMC Yonge & Dundas 24
Chicago, IL	Lincolnshire Stadium
San Diego, CA	La Jolla Village 4
Santa Monica, CA	Monica 4 Plex
Rochester, NY	Little 5

Tim Hetherington Speaks About Young Men As Soldiers

One of the highlights of a fully packed L.A. Press Week was getting to draft a set of questions for Tim to answer. While the question has been condensed, here's Tim's speaking about the dichotomy of being soldier and then coming back home, which may seem anti-climactic. (Nah...can't see me, but I was sitting over there asking the Q's).

How do you feel about your service, especially if you were 18 or 19 when you went over? Did you feel odd that you would be pressed into the tip of the spear, but then not even be allowed to order a beer when you got home?

More Stats on Restrepo From Indie Wire

Fire it up.... let's get Restrepo into even more theaters (see yesterday's post to figure out where we are in terms of numbers, or go to the Facebook page and click on "find a theater." Remember, these stats only mention the 25, though it is rolling into more than that by 16 July.

From Indie Wire (scroll down toward last 3/4)

"Another doc - Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington’s Sundance Grand Jury Prize winning doc “Restrepo” - went from 10 to 25 screens and grossed $101,692 for distributor National Geographic. That gave the film a decent average of $4,068 and a cume of $273,564, giving it a good shot of joining the $1 million club as it continues to expand."

Yeah, the money is good and the better it does, the more other theaters will book it in. But what we in the military community are more enthralled with is the message and the support we have for those who serve.

Restrepo: You Rad Rockin' Enthusiasts (Dallas Wright Rocks)

So many of you are rad rockin' enthusiasts. Because of you, Restrepo is being booked into more theaters daily. There's a special thrill when I read that because of your phone calls, a theater manager has taken the time to look at all the information you've sent, researched the box office receipts and has booked the film.

Posted on Facebook:
"Dallas Wright: looks like I've done it!!! Market Street Cinema in Little Rock, Ark. has posted on their page COMING SOON Restrepo!! !! Still don't have a ex. date but they told me they have contacted them and will post a date as soon as it's known!! I'm so happy!! Check out their site coming soon--www.marketstreetcinema.net.”

What's more, Dallas is going to hand out Restrepo postcards (see the photo above) to post around town, hand out to friends. He has spoken to a morning radio show, has endlessly facebooked, tweeted and written to all his friends, and has volunteered to talk to the local National Guard.

Dallas Wright rocks. And many others do too.

This week marks the final two sneak previews of Restrepo. I'm hitting road taking the film to Ft. Benning, and Ft. Campbell. Thanks to Leta Carruth and Gene Hindman for helping out at Ft. Benning. We'll be signing people in. Say hello to us when you pass by. I could use 2 volunteers to help with sign ins at Ft. Campbell. Let me know if you're going to be around.

Because of your support, theaters near Ft. Campbell, Ft. Bliss, Ft. Bragg, Ft. Hood and Ft. Campbell have booked the film. People living by posts will be able to see the film if they didn't get into a sneak preview. But what the heck, they should probably go see it again. Check the Facebook page and click "Find A Theater."

Other stats:
Ten theaters have extended their run of Restrepo. As of today, the film was playing in 26 theaters nationwide, and by the end of July, 51 theaters across the nation will have Restrepo playing. The rollout continues with scheduled releases into September. All of this is because of your support.

COP Restrepo, Korengal Valley, photo by Tim Hetherington available to use free on your blog or facebook.

67 is a good start for a documentary. Yup, a start. I happen to think we could push this film even further. 100, 200, 300 and beyond. There are a few things we'll need to do in order to drive it into the conscience of all Americans. Especially those who seem to be permanently at the mall (did I hear mall, well yes, it's in theaters there as well).

1. Tell all your friends and the groups in which you belong to go see Restrepo in the theaters now. Box office receipts are important because that's what theater managers look at when deciding whether or not to book a film. It's all about numbers.

2. Blog, Tweet, and Facebook this film. The more we talk about it, the better chance it has of going big time. We've made available free resources for you to share (like the photo, and you can also watch exclusive interview clips). Just go to http://box.net/restrepo.

The Anti-Tokyo Rose or Counter-Insurgency WWII Style

Another small film about a great topic. Lots of links in this article, please check them all out!

On 10 JULY, 2 PM. A new documentary about a counter-insurgency project during WWII will be screening in Los Angeles at the Japanese American National Museum.

"Calling Tokyo tells the story of Japanese Americans who participated in the United States and Britain's World War II broadcast campaign to influence the hearts and minds of people in Japan. Some of the radio broadcasters will share their experiences after the screening."

A film by Gary Ono, the film was made as he worked to find out about his father's role in this group of Japanese-American broadcasters who were hired as the Anti-Tokyo Rose. I sure hope Mr. Ono will contact me, let me see the film when I get back to L.A. I would love some still images to run on this blog.

I'm always moved by stories about Japanese Americans during the time of WWII. These Americans had everything taken from them and were forcibly tossed into internment camps, the conditions of which were well documented by Ansel Adams and other photographers. Here's a link to an interesting book: Elusive Truth, Four Photographers At Manzanar by Gerald H. Robinson.

Despite being unfairly incarcerated and having their status changed to "enemy alien," many went for broke and signed up to serve in the U.S. military. Some served in the famous 442nd Regimental Combat Team, which was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the entire history of the U.S. Military. Their motto remains to this day: "Go For Broke." Read about their Foundation.

Anyway, back to the documentary, Calling Tokyo. Japanese Americans, usually incarcerated, were hired by the US and British Forces to counter the efforts of a series of Japan-based radio propagandists.

The most famous propagandists were a series of women who were dubbed, "Tokyo Rose." Their aim? To demoralize American and British troops during WWII over daily radio broadcasts. But it backfired because The Zero Hour turned out to be written by allied forces who were POWs.

"Since their capture and conscription into Radio Tokyo, the Allied POWs had waged a covert campaign to sabotage the Japanese propaganda effort through the use of on-air flubs, innuendo, double entendre, and sarcastic, rushed or muffled readings."

This was later confirmed by:

"As far as its propaganda value, Army analysis suggested that the program had no negative effect on troop morale and that it might even have raised it a bit. The Army’s sole concern about the broadcasts was that “Annie” appeared to have good intelligence on U.S. ship and troop movements."

The woman whose identity became synonymous with the name Tokyo Rose, was born Ikuko "Iva" Toguri in Los Angeles and graduated from UCLA in 1940. After graduation, Toguri found herself stranded in Japan after having visited her ailing aunt sans passport. Tossed out by family for pro-American views, and not fluent in Japanese, her life was a struggle. Eventually found work as a typist fo Radio NHK. Toguri was chosen for a $7 a month job by a Australian Major Charles Cousens, a POW charged with putting together a propaganda broadcast called "The Zero Hour." Cousens, along with American CPT Wallace Ince, Filipino LT Normando Reyes, wrote much of the initial material for Toguri. It was an hour of sarcasm, music, and skits. The military material was gleaned from publicly held knowledge available to anyone who new where to look.

In a long saga that included an Army investigation by General MacArthur's staff, which didn't find enough to try her. This however, was overturned by the zealous and bored media hounds led by Walter Winchell (yes, the Media was a pain even then), and the myth hung over her for the rest of her life. Toguri was later arrested, tried, convicted, imprisoned and decades later --pardoned by President Gerald R. Ford.

Anyway, go see this small film Calling Tokyo on 10 JULY. Hear their stories. Embrace their part in history. And if you're there, be sure to thank them for their service.

Restrepo Update: The Film is in wide release. Please support it by going to see it in a theater, and also keep up with the Facebook page. I'll be traveling with Restrepo next week to Ft. Benning & Ft. Campbell.

The Dalai Lama Rocks: A Message To The Men & Women Who Serve

There's a meaningful blog called the Buddhist Military Sangha. It's an online resource for Buddhists within the U.S. armed forces.

The Dalai Lama's Message to the Armed Forces

"I have always admired those who are prepared to act in the defense of others for their courage and determination. In fact, it may surprise you to know that I think that monks and soldiers, sailors and airmen have more in common than at first meets the eye. Strict discipline is important to us all, we all wear a uniform and we rely on the companionship and support of our comrades.

Although the public may think that physical strength is what is most important, I believe that what makes a good soldier, sailor or airman, just as what makes a good monk, is inner strength. And inner strength depends on having a firm positive motivation. The difference lies in whether ultimately you want to ensure others’ well being or whether you want only wish to do them harm.

Naturally, there are some times when we need to take what on the surface appears to be harsh or tough action, but if our motivation is good our action is actually non-violent in nature. On the other hand if we use sweet words and gestures to deceive, exploit and take advantage of others, our conduct may appear agreeable, while we are actually engaged in quite unacceptable violence.

The ultimate purpose of Buddhism is to serve and benefit humanity, therefore I believe that what is important for Buddhists is the contribution we can make to human society according to our own ideas and values. The key to overcoming suffering and ensuring happiness is inner peace. If we have that we can face difficulties with calmness and reason, while our inner happiness remains undisturbed. The teachings of love, kindness and tolerance, the conduct of non-violence as I have explained above, and especially the Buddhist theory that all things are relative are a source of that inner peace.

It is my prayer that all of you may be able to do your duty and fulfil your mission and in due course when that is done to return to your homes and families.”

~ Dalai Lama

Evil masked as sweetness: the Russians who would throw toys from planes in Afghanistan --which turned out to be bombs. Bastards. Countless kids lost lives and limbs.

Mark Vernon has a follow up here. Read the whole thing, which includes this:

So perhaps what the Dalai Lama hopes to achieve with his latest message is not only to express appreciation of the British military but something wider: to encourage his western followers to engage with him, and his tradition, in more sophisticated ways.

Right on. I think many followers of new age spirituality are guilty of picking and choosing so they may enjoy the politics of complacency. Enough of that.

Life After War: The Mind/Body Connection

I've been thinking about this nation's commitment to troops and veterans. As many organizations have practiced, it really does have to be with an eye to the long haul. Sights need to be set not only on the present, but also the next 40 years. May our current wars' veterans never suffer through the neglect that was leveled at those who served in Vietnam. May Hollywood stereotypes of the adrenaline-fueled junkie-warrior, and bad script writing come to an end. May society see veterans as changed, but not broken to the point of no return. There are people with open arms, and here are three people with a commitment to veterans over the long haul.

My work on community outreach has led me to some fairly amazing exchanges both over the phone and through email. Paul Zipes is a former Navy diver who started a nonprofit organization called Yoga For Vets. The concept is simple. Ask yoga instructors nationwide to offer veterans four free yoga classes. Their slogan is 'Supporting Our Troops, One Breath At A Time." While Paul himself is Florida-based, his organization encompasses 194 teachers across the nation.

Another is Dave Emerson, in Boston. He works a lot with veterans through several venues, one being the organization There and Back -Again. They offer veterans a wholistic approach to stress and combat trauma. He also works closely with The Trauma Center. Dave is also committed to the long haul, in fact, believes it's our duty.

The third is former Infantry Officer Eric Walrabenstein, who is coming out with a yoga-based stress reduction program for veterans that will be shipped for free to their home. Eric has been especially helpful when it comes to dealing with some of the presumptive and negative thoughts many in the yoga community have about war, military and veterans. Polemics have to be kept out of downward dogs.

Three people, doing something. The mind/body health connection to help cope with the experience of combat is the least we owe our veterans so they have a creative, happy, and fruitful life after (and even during) war.
Watch the video, throw a few bucks behind the organizations in your area who support the mind/body connection for veterans.

Special Guest Andrew Lubin: Our 234th Birthday

Note: Combat correspondent Andrew Lubin just returned from Afghanistan where he was embedded with the US Marines. As the Fourth of July nears, he offers his thoughts.

July 4, 2010

By Andrew Lubin

Following the recent immigration debates arising out of Arizona and in Congress made me step back and think. “What makes someone an American?” Is it an accident of birth? Having a special skill? Or is it an attitude?

My grandparents names are listed at Ellis Island. It’s no big deal, so are the names of dozens of thousands of others. They came over amongst those human waves of Europeans in the late 1800’s who were coming to the New World for a chance for a better life.

My maternal grandmother was Mary Inez Ryan, from Ireland’s County Limerick, and we grew up listening to her stories of wailing banshees and the shrieking tree. She married Joseph Mendell, whose father had changed his name from Mendel when he arrived from Germany the generation prior. My dad’s side was also European: Louis Ljubon from Budapest married Aloysia Woelfl from Bavaria Both families settled in northern New Jersey, learned English, struggled through the Depression, and then both my mom and dad joined the Marines in WW2. Afterwards they were part of the first G.I. Bill class at Montclair State Teachers College and worked hard to give us kids a better life and more opportunities.

America has so many other stories…last month at FOB Dwyer I met Tuan Pham, a Vietnamese refugee whose grandfather and father were killed by the Viet Cong. His mother and sister left Vietnam as ‘boat people,’ and eventually got Pham out when he was 16…now he’s Major Tuan Pham, USMC, who enlisted three years after arriving here. While his is certainly a far more interesting family story than mine, it’s remarkably similar in that it started with folks looking for a better life, making their way to America, working hard, giving back, and helping build that which we call “The American Dream”.

And it’s worth noting the many stories of citizenship that started after 9/11: there have been some 55,000 immigrants who became Americans through their service in the Armed Forces. The ranks of the Marine Corps are filled with young men and women with fascinating accents who are “giving back” to their newly adopted country. Some of them “give back” a lot; think back to Sgt Michael Strank, one of the five Marines who raised the flag on Iwo Jima. He was born Mychal Strenk, in Jarabenia, Czechoslovakia, and learned English in the tough steel mill of Franklin Borough, Pa. Sgt Strank was killed on Iwo, three days after that famous photograph was taken. Or Mexican-born Marine Sgt Rafael Peralta, whose last act was to roll onto a grenade in Fallujah, sacrificing himself in order to save the lives of the Marines behind him. Other countries should envy immigrants like these two.

Perhaps they’re the strength of this country, this blend of farmers, tool & die makers, steel workers, and shopkeepers who arrived here with little more than an ill-fitting suit and a fierce determination to “do better.”

That’s the unifying feature that built the United States of America; they learned the language; worked their way into the social structure and politics of their new homeland, worked hard, tried to blend in, and in committing themselves to success, they gave this country a mind-set that anything is possible if one works hard.

Another mind-set was that of leaving the old ways behind. The old ways weren’t working; that’s why people came here in the first place. My Grandpa Lubin would never, ever discuss his hometown, or his life before he came here. “It doesn’t matter,” he’d say “I’m an American now, and being an American is all that counts.”

And unlike the faux-patriotism espoused by so many of today’s politicians, the older generations understood that patriotism was something that was to be practiced, as opposed to lectured from the airwaves. On Monday 8 December 1941, most of the men of Harvard and many other colleges were on the recruiting lines, and by 1945 America had 12 million men under arms. Everyone volunteered; in fact my ex-wife’s father forged his father’s name to the paperwork, and joined the Army a year underage – Lewis Nash participated in the invasion of Italy and ended up fighting in the Battle of the Bulge.

That’s real patriotism. Everyone served, everyone helped out, and everyone pulled together for the common goal of protecting the American way of life that their parents and grandparents offered them.

That’s what makes the recent immigration debate so frustrating. Most of these 12 million illegals hunker down, work hard, and are taking the dirty jobs that most American citizens won’t. Sure many of them don’t speak English now, but then neither did my Grandfather Ljubon or Mychal Strenk when they arrived. America is still a country of opportunities for those who want to work, and given the opportunity, look at how the Strenks and Peralta’s have become an integral part of America’s history.

Maybe that’s it; being an “American” is as much an attitude as an accident of birth. Since people today aren’t digging the Erie Canal, or building the transcontinental railroad; perhaps today’s settlers are instead cutting lawns in New Jersey or working in an Iowa meat-packing plant. But hard work and attitude never hurt anyone, as Grandpa Lubin used to tell me; and as Grandpa’s Strenk, Peralta, and Pham likely told their boys; with attitude and hard work you can accomplish almost anything.

So let’s raise a glass to our 234^th birthday – with more hard work and the same attitude, we’ll be celebrating 234 more.

Happy Independence Day.

Post Marines: A Career In Therapy (and a Restrepo update)

Look, if the knees ever give out, I see a future career
for America's 1st Sargent, BabaTim, and Corporal Sanders.
Watch the video.
The house sitters have taken up residence here. I'm traveling today to the heat and humidity of the Southeast for a fun-filled summer with The Hubs, with whom I have not lived with since 2008 for more than a few weeks! I just might devolve to namby-pamby land .... knock wood, one of the three doesn't have to come in and toss a tissue-box at my head.

Restrepo Update: Your support has been paying off. The film led in box office receipts during the opening weekend for specialty films. More theaters have booked it, and in good part because supporters have been hounding the theater managers and film buyers! Way to go!

Today, the film is opening into wide release. Please support this film by seeing it in one of the theaters on the Facebook Page. Good box office receipts now, means more theaters across the nation will pick it up. If you're in Ft. Benning or Ft. Campbell, I'll see you there as I will be traveling with the show. I look forward to meeting all of those who we personally reached out to in emails, and phone calls. Also thanks to Leta Carruth and Gene Hindman for volunteering to help sign people in. I'll be traveling in with filmmaker Tim Hetherington and SGM Lamonta Caldwell.

Also, did I tell you? A newspaper reporter asked me the name of my blog and I said, "The Chicken Dispatch." At times, I think it fits.