HBO is best know for their award winning series': The Soprano's, Six Feet Under, Sex and the City, Deadwood, and others. However, their support of documentary films should not be underestimated. One of the best films HBO produced in 2008 is Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery.
Section 60 of Arlington National Cemetery has the United States' most recent war dead, those who gave the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan. With dignity and respect, with no narration or musical score, the filmmakers have the living tell their stories of the dead and the result is a very emotional, moving documentary. Rain or shine, there seems to always be someone in Section 60 paying their respects. When several are in Section 60 at the same time, they usually reach out to each other, becoming an ad hoc support group. That is quite a difference from your local cemetery or even other sections within Arlington. Others arrive to mark special events with the deceased; birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Christmas. This makes Section 60 a very special area within Arlington National Cemetery
Section 60: Arlington National Cemetery is a nonpolitical, low-key, emotional film that deserves your attention. Simply, it shows the cost of war and the people who have to pay the price. As the sister of a fallen soldier says; "This is the saddest acre in America."
Technorati tag: dvd review Section 60 Arlington National Cemetery
Comment posted by John Vaughan03/24/2009 12:01:15 PM
Homepage: http://jonvon.net
wow!
i'll have to check that out. thanks!
Comment posted by Tim Lorge03/24/2009 01:51:42 PM
Homepage: http://www.groupwarenews.com
Military families are a very unique lot. One way or another, we all learn to follow orders and observe the chain of command. Some of us are even subjected to "white glove tests" when, as children, we dust the living room. Regardless of branch, when one sailor, solider, marine or airman falls, we all hurt. It is a hurt we carry for a lifetime and few understand.
These days, we Americans are too free in many respects. As a result, many do not understand why someone would willingly serve their country let alone be willing to die for an often misunderstood, somewhat abstract concept such as freedom.
How do you explain it? For members of the military and their families, it is simply the right thing to do.
Section 60 is not just for those who have fallen in Iraq or Afghanistan. It is also for the 85 year old Marine who survived Okinawa; the 75 year old soldier who guarded the 38th parallel; the 60 year old airman who survived the Tet Offensive or the 55 year old career Naval Aviator who served with distinction for 22 years from the end of WW2 until the middle of Vietnam, who was also a devoted and loving husband and the father of 7 who, in 1984, died far too soon.
That last guy would be my dad.
My dad was buried in Section 60 about 25 years ago and yesterday would have been his 80th birthday. In a way, this is a nice way to think of him. Thanks Gregg for posting this.
I've been to Section 60 a lot. As a matter of fact, there is a tree just up from the corner of MacArthur & Bradley drive that, on the day of my dad's burial, my brother stuck his gum. Whenever we're there, we check to see what's become of the gum and how far the tree has grown. Occasionally, we even add to it.
The thing most people don't realize that those who serve and their families are actually pacifists. No of us wants to go to war. That's where people die. The difference to us is they aren't just people who go to war and die, they are our loved ones who go to war and when they do, we don't know if we'll see them again. But, that is a whole other nightmare.
We, the families of those who have served and fallen unfortunately welcome these newbies to our world. We do it because we know what this country meant to our family members and why they fought. We've been there. We know the joy these people brought to our lives. We also know the pain and the profound loss.
Ultimately, no one "wants" to be there. The ultimate sacrifice a loved one makes ends up being a horrible situation that life has thrown your way as a survivor. It is next to impossible to explain that to others who have not seen those words "the ultimate sacrifice" actually manifested in someone's life. These are people who died for an idea born in a red building in Philadelphia. Who really understands that except others who have been there? How does one survive that?
Unfortunately, we know and we try to help. Hopefully, the newbies will be able to find some peace sooner rather than later.
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