By Ken Connor
Wednesday, January 22, 2014
To the extent that art really does imitate life, every
American owes it to themselves and to our troops to see the blockbuster film,
Lone Survivor. Panned by cynical elites as "shameless war-porn," in
reality this movie portrays the heroism and sacrifice of four members of Seal
Team 10 during a mission gone bad in the mountains of Afghanistan in 2007.
Operation Redwings was designed to track the location and
movements of an Afghani terrorist, Ahmad Shah, with the ultimate goal of taking
him out. The mission was compromised when a group of goat herders stumbled
across the Americans and reported them to the Taliban. The team was
subsequently ambushed and virtually wiped out in a vicious gunfight. Seal Team
Leader, Lt. Michael Murphy, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, and
three others received the Navy Cross. The only member of the team to survive,
Marcus Luttrell, chronicled Seal Team 10's heroic story in a book bearing the
same name as the film.
For many, Lone Survivor is nothing special – merely
another action-packed, blood-drenched diversion to be enjoyed while munching on
Milk Duds and popcorn at the local movie house. It's impact will only last as
long as it takes for the next blockbuster flick to hit the big screen. For
those who've experienced war firsthand, however, the movie provides a glimpse
into the horrors and heroism that only those who've worn the uniform can
understand.
When movies like this are made there are always legions
of armchair quarterbacks chomping at the bit, ready to pick and poke and prod
in an attempt to undercut and discredit. In the case of Lone Survivor, critics
have taken issue with some of the artistic liberties that were taken by the
producer of the film. Of course, it should come as no surprise that any time a
movie based on real events is made, certain elements are modified for dramatic
effect. This is generally why the disclaimer "This film is based
on/inspired by true events" is offered. Panning such a film for failing to
adhere to a strict factual account is spurious. Dramatic license aside, Lone
Survivor communicates some essential lessons about the reality of war and the
value of our armed forces that should not be lost on Americans.
First and foremost, war is hell. This axiom is no less
true now than when those words were uttered over a hundred years ago by General
William Tecumseh Sherman, the Union General who visited that hell on the South
during his famous March to the Sea during the Civil War. There is no glory or
glamor for the men who are called upon by their country to wage war – only
sweat, blood, and sacrifice.
Second, the courage and competence of our troops are
second to none. From those first, seemingly futile skirmishes at Lexington and
Concord to the bravery and heroism demonstrated in the mountains of
Afghanistan, the fighting spirit of the American soldier is incomparable. Every
American owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who put their
lives on the line to secure our freedoms and way of life.
In light of these truths, our leaders bear an enormous
responsibility for ensuring that our troops are honored and respected
accordingly. American forces should never be called upon to spill their blood
for trivial pursuits or politically-motivated purposes. No military action
should be undertaken precipitously and without a clear purpose and defined exit
strategy. It is sickening to know how often self-interest and ideology have
driven America's defense agenda, with politicians literally playing games with
people's lives. Any member of public office who is willing to squander the
lives and safety our fighting men and women over matters that do not truly
affect our national security is not worthy of the office which they hold and
should be replaced by those who respect and value our troops.
While America should always aspire to the highest
standards of conduct and ethics in the realm of war, those inclined to second
guess battlefield decisions should be charitable in their assessments,
recognizing that such decisions are made in real time, in the midst of the
clamor and confusion and fog of war. War demands expediency in decision-making.
After-action assessments have their place, but armchair quarterbacking
generally only serves the agenda of those sitting on the sidelines.
Americans are fortunate that we still have men and women
willing to put their lives on the line in service of our country. Movies like
Lone Survivor remind us that freedom is not free: it is as Thomas Jefferson so
famously said, purchased with the blood of heroes and tyrants. America's
leaders have an obligation to our troops to ensure that they have everything
they need in terms of manpower and materiel to accomplish their mission, and
adequate support when they return from the battlefield. The promises we've made
to our military personnel should never be compromised or squandered on the
altar of politics. At the same time, we should recognize that no amount of
money or benefits are sufficient to compensate our troops for their service. In
the end, the greatest gift we can give our troops is to pay tribute and give
thanks as often and as publicly as we can.
If you haven't seen Lone Survivor, you should. For the
majority of Americans, it will make you feel proud, humble, and grateful to
live in a country that is protected by true heroes.
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