Memorial Day movies?
 

I have been watching Saving Private Ryan again. One of the Villagers I met over the years daughter was the assistant casting director for that very intense and very important film. One of those movies that is impossible to forget unlike the Academy Award Best Picture winner that year Shakespeare in Love. Recall the father of the assistant casting director was rather upset that Saving Private Ryan did not win for Best Picture.

What movies do you watch to honor our Veterans?

"During World War II, nearly 250,000 civilian merchant mariners served as part of the U.S. military and delivered supplies and armed forces personnel by ship to foreign countries engulfed in the war. Between 1939 and 1945, 9,521 merchant mariners lost their lives — a higher proportion than those killed than in any military branch, according to the National World War II Museum.

In 1988, the mariners became eligible for benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs." -- U.S. Department of Defense

Because my father was a Master Mariner during WWII, I tend to watch stuff like:

The Long Voyage Home

Action in the North Atlantic

The Enemy Below

The enemy below and action in the North Atlantic were both outstanding movies. Have to see if I can find action in the atlantic.

“Greyhound”, based on real stories, depicts the critical Battle of the Atlantic during World War II.

“The Finest Hours” On Feb. 18, 1952, a massive storm splits the SS Pendleton in two, trapping more than 30 sailors inside the tanker's sinking stern. The almost impossible rescue.
“Greyhound” convoy crossing Atlantic WWII

My Uncle Bill received a Silver Star after leading a scouting patrol into German territory in Anzio . He lost an arm, a leg and part of his skull as well as all but one other man in his group. He was a small town hero but kept his Silver Star in the attic and unknown to most of his family. They found it in the attic when they were moving long after he had passed after the death of his beloved wife.

Yes. Tom Hanks makes everything special.

He did make a few not so good films but most of his are very worthwhile.

Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon, fantastic movie

I agree. Every couple of years, I rediscover Taking Chance.

My older brother's 2nd wife's father landed at Normandy in June or July of 1944. Saw action in that area and took a tour of that area a few years ago with his daughter and my brother. His biggest problem with the visit was finding a place to pee with all the tourists in the area. I guess there was a lot of competition for bathrooms and other facilities.

Some of his fellow soldiers would have been buried in the American Cemetery in Normandy.

"Go for Broke!" (1951, starring Van Johnson and six veterans of the actual events). This film tells the story of the 442nd RCT. The regiment is best known as the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of American warfare, and as a fighting unit composed almost entirely of Japanese Americans. Even after FDR forced their parents (and thousands of other United States citizens) into the internment camps (complete with manned gun towers and barbed wire fences), many of these young men were eager to prove their patriotism, and so volunteered to fight for America. They were awarded more than 20 Medals of Honor, 52 Distinguished Service Crosses, 371 Silver Stars, 4,000 Bronze Stars, and over 4,000 Purple Hearts.

I don't actively search and tend to watch whatever is on "free" channels. However, I do like "The Great Escape" "Patton" and "The Longest Day".

War horse ,hacksaw ridge, fortress, free on Roku live TV

Turns out have to rent Action in the North Atlantic. Wonder how often it is rented

Hacksaw Ridge was very hard to watch but does have a very important message.

My Dad served in WWII

His dad served in WWI

Those generations were handed a lot to deal with.

Memorial Day movie
 

One of the best movies regarding the effects of WW II is "The Best Years of our Lives"
The Best Years of Our Lives (also known as Glory for Me and Home Again) is a 1946 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Teresa Wright, Virginia Mayo and Harold Russell. The film is about three United States servicemen re-adjusting to societal changes and civilian life after coming home from World War II.

I enjoyed that movie a lot. Think it also won the Oscar for Best Picture that year among various other awards.

I especially liked the Tom Hanks' movie, "Greyhound", which was about destroyers that tried to protect merchants crossing the Atlantic Gap in WW2.

Taking Chance with Kevin Bacon, is very good. Very moving,

The Great Escape, my father was played by James Garner in that film.

SPR Is on my Top Ten list. After watching the movie 4-5 times, many years ago I simply cannot watch the first 20 minutes anymore. It's so heart-rendering real IMO. My late Father in Law was at Normandy, his landing craft broke down and sunk a mile off the coast. He was in the first wave. He was able to stay afloat and saved later. Can't bring myself to witness what our brave soldiers encountered on those beaches. The shots of bullets going thru the water and thru their bloody bodies was too much for me.

Spielberg is a genius and has that ability to touch our soul thru film.

Memorial Day... sad but honor our heroes...

I took my dad back on the 50 anniversary of DDay ,he had jumped in during the night , the French people+were wonderful to him and when you see those white crosses in person you can’t help shedding a tear , and also feel a sense of pride at what these men did on that day

America changed the way of warfare in WWll
 

In the civil war both sides just faced each other and fired. In WWl they had trench warfare, similar, In WW2 armies fought armies. Then to end the war, the US decided to bomb civilians. And that is the new trend today...... its not a matter of beating the others army, its a matter of who can kill the most civilians until the other side submits.....very sad

Amen to that.
Hearing Taps played there is especially poignant

The big red one staring lee Marvin.

The 1st Infantry Division was the only American combat force in occupied Germany until 1950 and remained in Germany until 1955, first as occupation troops, then as partners with the new Germany in NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 1955, the Big Red One out of fort Riley Kansas.

History of the First Infantry Division - First Division Museum.

Going to watch Platoon tonight. I have not seen it in a while.

Band of Brothers

There was a Vietnam movie about the taking of a hill. The name was something like, " Hill 351" or some such number. It was pretty gritty and made you feel like you were right in the battle and how important it was to take that hill. And the ending was a surprise!