Alive Day

"In a war that has left more than 25,000 wounded, ALIVE DAY MEMORIES: HOME FROM IRAQ looks at a new generation of veterans. Executive Producer James Gandolfini interviews ten Soldiers and Marines who reveal their feelings on their future, their severe disabilities and their devotion to America. The documentary surveys the physical and emotional cost of war through memories of their "alive day," the day they narrowly escaped death in Iraq."

i watched a special last night on HBO. It was total raw, uncut footage of what happens when war heros come home and face the reality of their wounds. Whether it be severe psychological trauma or a loss of 2 legs and an arm, these soldiers are out there for this country putting their life on the line. Sure we hear the numbers... in 5 years of war, about 3,000 soldiers dead. But what about the ones who lived through their injuries. There are 25,000 of these stories to be told.

One son sits in front of the camera with his mom close by holding his hand. She holds on for emotional support and also to control the uncontrolled movement of his left arm. If she lets go, his arm moves uncontrollably much like the limbs on any mentally challenged child. But her son wasn't born that way and he is not a child. He's a 27 year old war veteran and 3/4 of his brain is gone. It was blown off in a road side bomb in Iraq. He used to play football, clown around with the guys, and be a typical young american guy. Now he's is confined to a wheel chair with the mental capacity of a 5 year old. All he has left is a crappy military paycheck and his mom.

Another man comes home with no eyes. He still wears his wedding ring even though his wife left him. She was unable to cope with his injuries. He doesn't wear the ring on his finger though. He had the diamonds taken out and embedded in one of his prosthetic eyes. The other eye socket stays empty because the scar tissue healed in a way that prevents a prosthetic from being placed inside. He was also caught in a toxic road side bomb when his vision went black. He now talks of the violent dreams he has every night. One in particular where he sinks his teeth into a mans neck and rips out his throat. These dreams weren't there before he left for war. Hmmm.......

A young red head woman, full of life, full of hope for the future, thinks about the marriage she hopes for and the children she will one day have. She remembers how quiet and peaceful it was the night a mini rocket blew off her shoulder. Despite being literally half a person, she is thankful to still be here. Her family and her church stand with her always. Fighting to keep up her spirits are challenging and often she breaks down. "Will my children even love me for who I am and not for what I look like." ...."i hope they still love me, what can you do..."

The documentary beats any piece of crap reality show or sporting event we load our minds with every day. It makes me wonder why MTV is over in Austrailia filming kids getting drunk and having sex instead of the teens we have at war, getting blown to bits while fighting for a unknown cause. Not the best thing to watch before you go to bed. But a great way for me to remember the soldiers and see the sacrifices they make on our behalf.