4th of july

[=JHF= Veritas]

no words. 

[CupOJoe]

To add to the BlackHawk Down reference:

You may remember from previous posts that W4 and I have a friend that is a BlackHawk pilot in the 160th SOAR. Well, this friend was one of the lead pilots in shooting the movie (did the stunt flying - spinning the hit chopper, etc.). Needless to say he got to spend time with some of the actors. One actor, who will remain nameless, was disrespecting the pilot that he was portraying in a public way saying something to the effect of, "Yeah I'm playing a guy who gets killed" in a disrespectful way and acting DISAPPOINTED that that was his role. Our friend said that he squared him away pretty quick by backing him (the actor) up against a wall and reminding him that he was lucky that he was not that man himself.

That to me is one of the biggest ironies of Hollywood. Actors will take money to portray people (and their deaths) that they have no respect for. They haven't a clue.

[Currahee]

well said Joe 

[BigRay]

When Steven Speliberg was on the Tonight Show promoting Saving Private Ryan. He told Jay that he had the idea. That if the actors would be dressed and eat and live in the field kinda like real soldiers. Hoping it would help them get a feel of what it was like. After just one night all the actors except Hanks were complaining and threating to leave. Hanks stepped up and told them all. The men you are portraing could not leave and go home. Think about that.... after that no one complained again... I work with some actors and it is hard to believe adults have some of the beliefs they do.
But at this house we respect all vets, past, present and future. That is why the RED WHITE AND BLUE flies 24/7 at our house.
And will as long as any of americas best are in harm's way.

GOD BLESS AMERICA

[=BINLUGIE=]

joe and ray that gave me chills reading those threads.



 bin

[BigRay]

Remember those old war movies that showed the guy diving on the nade to save his buddies....
That is what John Baca did in Febuary 1970

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company D, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division. Place and date: Phuoc Long Province, Republic of Vietnam, 10 February 1970. Entered service at: Fort Ord, Calif. Born: 10 January 1949, Providence, R.I. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. Sp4c. Baca, Company D, distinguished himself while serving on a recoilless rifle team during a night ambush mission A platoon from his company was sent to investigate the detonation of an automatic ambush device forward of his unit's main position and soon came under intense enemy fire from concealed positions along the trail. Hearing the heavy firing from the platoon position and realizing that his recoilless rifle team could assist the members of the besieged patrol, Sp4c. Baca led his team through the hail of enemy fire to a firing position within the patrol's defensive perimeter. As they prepared to engage the enemy, a fragmentation grenade was thrown into the midst of the patrol. Fully aware of the danger to his comrades, Sp4c. Baca unhesitatingly, and with complete disregard for his own safety, covered the grenade with his steel helmet and fell on it as the grenade exploded, thereby absorbing the lethal fragments and concussion with his body. His gallant action and total disregard for his personal well-being directly saved 8 men from certain serious injury or death. The extraordinary courage and selflessness displayed by Sp4c. Baca, at the risk of his life, are in the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the U.S. Army.

But the really amazing thing is he is still alive as of July 8 2005

[Currahee]

Thats just amazing bravery & selflessness 

[=JHF= OBMer]

Agreed.   
OB