Family Member Mourns Dead Soldier Killed in Afghanistan – Washington Post

0
579

 SUFFERING, SOMETIMES BEST SHARED IN FILM

The Washington Post is running an article from yesterday concerning a letter filled with grief from a family member of a young soldier killed in Afghanistan.  The letter she wrote is encapsulated inside this article and is a somber read for anyone. The address is here:  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/14/AR2009071402894.html?nav=hcmodule .

As I read it I could not help but think of the name of the silent movie by Raoul Walsh called What Price Glory?.  Originally a silent movie filmed in 1926 it was remade in 1952 by James Cagney in the starring role of Captain Flagg and Dan Dailey as Sergeant Quirt.  On the surface, it is about the futility and the code of behavior of being a professional soldier.  It concerns U.S. Marines in combat on the front lines in France in 1918, World War I.  They are proud to be what they are. They know the limitations and dangers of being professional soldiers and accept every minute as a reprieve from death.  In the end, a dying marine looks at Flagg and asks him as he dies a horrible death from combat, "What price glory?"

I saw that film several times on television when I was a teenager.  I have never forgotten that line from the movie.  I have never been able to answer that question. Can it be answered?

CWO3 Tom Barnes, USCG (Ret.)

     

ATTENTION READERS

We See The World From All Sides and Want YOU To Be Fully Informed
In fact, intentional disinformation is a disgraceful scourge in media today. So to assuage any possible errant incorrect information posted herein, we strongly encourage you to seek corroboration from other non-VT sources before forming an educated opinion.

About VT - Policies & Disclosures - Comment Policy
Due to the nature of uncensored content posted by VT's fully independent international writers, VT cannot guarantee absolute validity. All content is owned by the author exclusively. Expressed opinions are NOT necessarily the views of VT, other authors, affiliates, advertisers, sponsors, partners, or technicians. Some content may be satirical in nature. All images are the full responsibility of the article author and NOT VT.
Previous articleYELLOW TO THE CORE: ARMY MAJOR REFUSES DEPLOYMENT
Next articleArmy Report on Stress and Murder