Daily Ramblings:
Wounded Soldiers ...04/03/2005
05:56:10 pm
Every now and then (though decidedly rarely) I see
something on television that just about redeems the
medium. Such a thing was a program I saw last night
(4/02/05) on C-Span. It's part of their
"American Perspectives" series, and it was
entitled "Wounded Soldiers." It consisted
of footage shot at the Walter Reed Army Medical
Center, including extended interviews with recovering
soldiers. All those I saw interviewed last night were
amputees. Nothing I can write here can do justice to
their stories and their unbelievable dignity, bravery
and maturity. This program should be compulsory
viewing for anyone with a strongly held opinion about
the war, for or against, and for high school kids
across America. It's worth going way out of
your way to see.
If you can negotiate what for me is the extremely
frustrating C-Span website, and you have broadband,
you ought to be able to find and watch it here. Or check your local
listings, as they say, for a repeat airing. I get the
impression that there may be additional footage to
come, so I'll be looking out for that myself.
Every moment I've seen so far is compelling beyond
description, but I would just mention in particular
the interviews with Cpl. Michael Oreskovio (23 years
old but more grounded and mature than most 60 year
olds), and Maj. Tammy Duckworth and her husband (the
word "inspirational" does not begin to
convey these people).
As upsetting as it may be to some to see the
graphic images of amputations, prosthetics, and
people in pain, these hours of honest portrayals of
wounded soldiers by the impassive C-Span team are
probably worth more than all the "Be All You Can
Be" ads rolled together. It is truly America's
very best who are putting themselves on the line in
Iraq and elsewhere - and you don't know what
"very best" means until you've seen them
and heard them in these circumstances.
A charity that some might think of supporting
after hearing their stories is the Fisher
House, which makes it easier for family members
to stay close by during long periods of recovery.
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