The War Tapes

One of Blake's classes this semester is called "Visual and Cinematic Narratives". Definitely a confusing title to be sure. To sum it up, he gets to read comic books and watch movies for class.

We both love the teacher and the class is very interesting. The few movies he had to see so far weren't worth mentioning, but this last one definitely is.

He had to watch "The War Tapes". For those of you who have never heard of this documentary, it was done by Army National Guard based in New Hampshire. Five men were given cameras and told to record their year tour in Iraq and comment on everything that happened and how it affected them.

And even watching this movie, I never actually realized how bad it has affected our military. The men in this movie pretended to treat death like it was nothing. They compared dead bodies to cookies and sausages. And the worst part of watching it was that they actually think like that so they can get past the death and destruction of war. They actually had to kill people and that lives on their conscience.

The very thing that hit me most was the homecoming. When they walked in the room and everyone stood up and cheered, it was absolutely amazing. If the news would show that just once, we wouldn't have to worry about how unpopular the war in Iraq is, or how many men have died. It would show that we are behind our troops 100%.

After they got home you just noticed the complete change in each of the men they were following. They had PTSD, and carpal tunnel (from holding thier guns all day long), and they just weren't the same men.

War is a terrible thing, but once you're in one, you shouldn't bicker about what we are trying to achieve or if we are killing civilians. Our men and women of the armed forces are overseas trying to protect our freedom. They are over their protecting their families and friends, and no one gives a crap.

They are told they are rapists and they are baby killers from people that have no idea what it is like to be in a war. We have never in our lifetimes had war on our own soil. Our men have fought in wars in other countries, but never in the USA. Which in reality is pretty lucky.

We don't have to worry about a rocket slamming into our doors or soldiers running in to take shelter from shooting. We can drive to work without having an IED blow up in our faces.

We take so much for granted. We are so spoiled. I pray for the soldiers, but in comparison to what they face everyday on foreign soil, I am not doing a thing.

They are such honorable and noble people and they do not get the credit they deserve for a job well done. It doesn't matter what end we are trying to achieve. We should back our Armed Forces completely so they know they are coming back to a home that appreciates they job they are doing for all of us.

So they know it isn't all in vain.