Restrepo and Ssgt Friend

Today I watched Restrepo by Tim Hetherington and Sebastian Junger for a second time. The first time I watched it alone in my home.  I read Sebastian Junger's book WAR about 6 months prior (and was enthralled by it), so I wasn't sure what the documentary had to offer that the book didn't cover.

Restrepo helped put faces to the names in WAR, making the people and the events even more real.  This is why, when a Ssgt Friend who's been deployed 3 times, and has the physical and emotional marks to prove it, wanted to watch Restrepo, I asked him not to watch it alone.  I asked him to watch it with me.

I watched Ssgt Friend go through a variety of emotions in 93 minutes.  At times it seemed like he was right there with them, firing at the enemy.  He was focused. Alert.  Then came Ssgt Friends laughter when the guys horsed around, dancing or rough housing like boys do.  Then came the tears, remembering when it was his friends who had been killed.  Then anger.  At one point in the movie, one of the men reports a man walking on a roof. Upon hearing the report Ssgt Friend immediately yelled, "Kill the F&*%er." Ssgt Friend didn't realize he spoke out loud when he said it.

When I asked Ssgt Friend what he thought of Restrepo, he told me it was real. The looks on the faces of the men who where interviewed, their pain, he said he feels that.  One of the men in the Platoon, Hijar I think, said, "I hope my brain learns to process this differently.  I never want to forget.  This is the reason I appreciate everything I have."  Ssgt Friend agreed, "I never want to forget either."

I am a book worm and will always recommend a book over a movie.  I highly suggest anyone interested in an amazingly real view of living on an Out Post in a combat zone without any outside motivations and politics read WAR by Sebastian Junger.  Junger doesn't write about the relationships forged in the Korengal Valley, he shows his reader over and over again through their actions.  Restrepo was a fast pasted version of the book, also a must see.  In my opinion both were about brotherhood, honor, never forgetting. Both are worth your time and money.

The Future...

I hope everyone enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving Day with their Family, Friends, and Loved ones. I know I did. I was even blessed with a quick chat from a friend in Afghanistan, which really made my week.

Looking towards the future there are a few things to address...

First Nick Moody's trial is set to start Monday, November 29th. I plan on posting whatever information I can find for updates. If you run across information I don't have please email me.

Also slated for Monday, November 29th at 9pm Eastern on the National Geographic Channel is the premier of Restrepo which is the film that accompanies the book WAR by Sebastian Junger. I have not seen the movie yet, but have read the book, which in my opinion is one of the best books I have ever read dealing with Afghanistan. The book also chronicled SSG Sal Giunta's actions in which he was awarded the Medal Of Honor.

There are some administrative changes happening at Words For Warriors as we are working towards getting our non-profit status. There will be updates and changes made to the blog and our activities as time progresses. We are hoping this growth will give us the power to reach more people.

Book Drawing for Sebastian Junger's New Book "WAR"

If you would like the opportunity to read this book, then I suggest you head on over to The Kitchen Dispatch and enter into the drawing. The names will be drawn randomly at 9 am Tuesday the 25th, so hurry up.