MESSAGES FROM THE TROOPS
6/5/07 (CLK)
Characters
MEN
Hi. I'm Private Jeffrey Warren stationed with the 30th Heavy
Separate Brigade in Iraq. I'd like to say hello to my family
back in Overland Park, Kansas.
Seasons Greetings. I'm Private Victor Boyd serving in the 1st
Brigade - 10th Mountain Division stationed in Iraq.
Hi. I'm Private Shawn Torres from Mesa, AZ. I'm here with
the 2nd Brigade - 82nd Airborne Division in Iraq.
Hi. My name is Private Danny Price from the 1st Armored
Division in Iraq. I want to say hey to everyone in
Albuquerque, NM.
I'm Private Gregory Bennet serving in the 4th Stryker
Division - 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq, stationed out of
Garland, TX.
I'm Private Ryan Hayes proud to be serving in the 1st
Brigade, 1st Armored Division in Iraq. I hope everyone in
Spokane, WA is well.
I'm Private Alberto Diaz from the 2nd Battalion, 135th
Infantry out of Minnesota. I'm currently serving in Iraq.
I'm Private Justin Ellis from Miami, FL. Right now I'm
stationed with the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division in
Iraq.
I'm Private Randy Marshall with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry
Division in Iraq.
I'm Private First Class Leo Rice serving in the 173rd
Airborne Brigade in Iraq. I'd like to say hi to my friends
and family back in Colorado Springs, CO.
Hi. I'm Private First Class Thomas Holmes stationed with the
with the 2nd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq. I'd like
to say hello to my wife back in Shreveport, LA.
This is Private First Class Mike Robertson serving in the 4th
Stryker Division - 2nd Infantry Division in Iraq. I want to
wish everyone back in Augusta, GA a merry christmas.
I'm Corporal Curtis Kennedy serving in the 101st Airborne
Division, Air Assault in Afghanistan. I'd like to say hello
to everyone back in Richmond, VA.
I'm Corporal Jonathan Mills from the 4th Brigade, 25th
Infantry Division in Iraq. I'm from Mobile, AL.
WOMEN
Private Maria Ramos in the 4th Brigade - 1st Cavalry Division
in Iraq.
Private Elizabeth Ward stationed with the 45th Infantry
Brigade in Iraq.
Private First Class Diane Knight stationed with the 25th
Infantry Division in Iraq.
Private First Class Theresa Shelton serving in the 1st
Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment in Iraq.
EXT. BASE
Soldier lovingly holds canteen.
SOLDIER
Hi mom, hi dad, just wanted to let
you know that even though my return
home date is in three months, I
plan on re-enlisting and staying
here as long as possible. I have
fallen in love with army-issued
canteen. She's always there for me,
and I can't abandon her here.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
First I want to say hi to my mom,
dad, and little sister. Also, some
buddies of mine have died, and I
promised them I'd say hi to their
loved ones as well. So, to the
parents of my friend Craig, who got
killed by a roadside mine, hey.
And the grandparents of my buddy
Hal, who got picked off by a sniper
in the Sunni triangle, I love you
mee-maw and papa. And that's about
it. There was this guy from
Arkansas, but the letter he wanted
me to read burned up when his tank
caught fire.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
I want to salute the lawmakers who
are battling to keep us over here.
Stay strong. Don't give up. We'll
never forget your efforts.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, Cally. I got your e-mail about
the flea market you said they're
opening downtown.
(deadly serious)
Listen to me: do not go to it. Do
not go to any open air markets.
They are much more dangerous than
we thought.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
What's up to my people back in
Dublin, Ohio. This is staff
sergeant John Chambers. I want to
give a special hello to my - uh -
girlfriend.
(OS: You don't have a
fuckin' girlfriend)
Yeah, I do! And she's, like,
totally hot.
(OS: Bullshit. What's her
name?)
Joyce-lin…Linda…no, Dawn.
(OS: Fuckin' liar!)
Shut up! God, fuck you guys.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (V.O.)
(monotone of a Ken Burns
doc)
My darling Rosa. This war is long
and this war is hard. The General
marches by with messages of hope.
But I don't know how much I can
bare. I ache for you. Yours,
Samuel X. Fairchild, 5th Battalion.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
(Idealist young soldier)
Happy Holidays to all in Duluth!
Get this, the President sent the
army a Christmas card. Makes me
feel like a celebrity!
(opens card)
He says, "Keep up the good work!
And don't let anyone tell you that
you are fighting for a pointless
cause or that I don't know what I'm
doing, because I do, but maybe it's
a secret. Merry Christmas, the
President of the whole country."
(he beams)
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Greetings from Iraq, Captain
Mullins and Captain Wilson. You're
the military recruiters who got me
over here. When I get home I'm
going to hunt you down like dogs
and kill you for sending me to this
shithole.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Honey, remember when you said we
should try new things in our
relationship? Well, you're in
luck, because nothing shocks me
anymore.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hey my secret homosexual lover,
Ben. I hope you are getting this
message, but that no one else in
the military is watching it,
because they certainly would not
want me serving if they knew I was
so gay. I mean, really really gay.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
This is Major Daniel Black
stationed here in Iraq…Just wanted
to say hello to my wife,
Maria…uh…don't really have much
else to say. Covered a lot of it at
the MSNBC video message tent. Then
I got to film messages for Fox
News, CNN, CBS before the Spike TV,
Cooking Network and LOGO vans came
in yesterday. I'm getting to talk
to you more now than when I was at
home! Seriously, nothing new has
happened.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
To society. I can't wait to rejoin
you.
Hopefully the baggage I've
accumulated here won't make me a
permanent outcast with whole life
ahead of me and nothing but
terrifying nightmares to keep me
company.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Merry Christmas everybody back in
Wyoming. Now I know why Uncle
Albert drinks so much and never
talks about Vietnam. When I get
back, beers on me, Uncle Al!"
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hi little Megan, it's me, Daddy.
I'm having a lot of fun at that
costume party I've been at for the
past 14 months. I know, I promised
my tour of uh, party would be over
for real this time, but the,
partymaster asked me to stay and
help teach the new partygoers how
to fend for themselves… as far as
party planning. Dips and chips and
whatnot. So I'll see you soon.
(beat) Whoo! Fun!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hey Cathy, it's me. I wanted to say
thanks for the Sudoku book. It's
literally the only thing here that
makes any sense at all. (ALT: It's
really the only thing that gives my
life here any meaning.)
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hey mom and dad! I got your letter.
Glad you guys are doing well. It's
great to hear that Tucker's gonna
get married! Things are pretty good
here. They found part of my hand.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hey to everyone back home in
Sheridan Wyoming and let me know if
you hear anything on the news about
when me and the guys might be
coming home.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Mom! Dad! Guess what? I started
shaving this week!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hey Cathy I know I told you I'd be
right back but we got redeployed
again so you can throw away that
steak sandwich.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, I'm private Patrick Newell from
Portland, Oregon, and I want to
give a big hello to my grandma back
home, my little brother away at
college, and to a world without
mayhem, unpredictability, and the
constant lingering fear, sights,
and smells of death. A world I can
never return to. Happy Holidays!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hey, sweet girl, it's Michael.
Things are quiet over here.
Actually it's kind of boring. I
have a lot of time to kill. I spend
a lot of time on that laptop your
mom gave me. Hey, I saw that you're
on MySpace! You look great. That
picture of you is really hot. You
know what's funny? I couldn't find
anything about me anywhere on the
page! Is there like a special area
I have to register for or
something? I mean, I saw Shelley
and Anna commented and they didn't
mention me… and what were you doing
Saturday night that was so crazy? I
sent you a bunch of emails. You're
probably busy. I love you!
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Man who reminisces about seeing
Jerry McGuire with girlfriend and
does the impression of Ray saying
"the human head weighs 8 lbs" and
then says "I picked one up and it
does…it's heavy!"
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Soldier singing "Rescue me" (Scott:
Or "S.O.S. sprayed on camera)
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey Clyde and Steve. Things are
awesome over here. It's like laser
tag but totally, totally real and
everyone's playing, even when you
don't think they are.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Candy, send me some sexy photos of
you. I totally could trade them for
body armor.
ALTERNATES:
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
(in quick, happy patter)
This is Air Force Staff Sergeant
Jeffrey Lubbers. To all my friends
and family back in Port Huron,
Michigan, I just want to say hello,
and God bless, and I don't know how
I'm not dead yet.
(waves)
Take care!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hi to my girlfriend, Kelly. I can't
wait to get back and put this ring
on your finger. It belonged to an
Iraqi woman.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
This is Sergeant Jeff Salerno,
saying hi mom, and maybe the next
time you want to nag you'll think
twice, because as you can see, I
put my money where my mouth is and
joined the army. So next time you
say I can't borrow the car, think
twice, because I've almost been
blown up four times.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
This is Pvt. Ray Newell saying hi
to all my family and friends in New
York City. I am getting shot at by
insurgents all over this damn
country… I can't wait to get home,
where I can get shot at by the
police. ALT: I miss the days of
running around Baltimore, getting
shot at by police.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Last week, Dane Cook did a show on
our base. It was pretty cool. He
was right: the war WOULD be a lot
easier if we all got 30 lives.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Last week, Dane Cook did a show on
our base. He did this thing about
Voltron that was pretty funny. Then
later a car bomb blew up like 8
guys.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
This is Tech Sergeant Steve Heise
stationed out here in the Diyala
Province. I just wanted to take a
moment to say hi to all of my ex
girlfriends out there. Hey, what
does your new boyfriend do? Oh
yeah? Oh that sounds cute…I'm
helping our country fight the war
on terror. Hope you feel real good
about breaking up with me now,
ladies.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey gang. Remember I told you a
little while back that me and Devin
were totally psyched because they
were gonna put a Taco Bell at Camp
Freedom?
(solemn)
Well, I'm sure Devin is still
psyched, wherever he is. [Alt: I
believe Devin would still be
psyched, if he were still alive.]
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
(A very frail, elderly
man)
P-F-C Harold Gunderthorn. Part of
the fighting 3ID. Go Army!
(He tries to lift his gun
in the air but can't lift
it)
To Tommy, Janet, Francine, and all
my other great-grandkids, great
grandpa Harold loves you!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
(Perky girl soldier)
Hey mom and dad, don't worry I've
made some really great new friends
since I lost everyone in my last
unit.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hi, this is airman Jeff Huckley
from Plano, TX and I'm stationed in
Rahmadi air force base in Iraq.
Things are pretty good here. It's
really hot. Reminds me a lot
Texas. Except for the constant
fear and smell of death.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Just want to say hi to my Mom and
Dad. I hope you guys kept my room
the same, because I'm definitely
not anymore.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
...Me and the boys started a
friendly betting pool way back for
how long we were gonna be here and,
boom, I won! Nobody thought it
would be this long, but I called
it. Booya! Hundred bucks in the
bank...
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey Mom, it's Sammy. I have some
bad news… don't freak out.
(shows leg stump)
I lost my prosthetic leg. Could
you send me another one? Thanks!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey there, I wanted to say hello to
all my friends and family back in
Boston Mass. Uh… my wife Julie,
can't wait to see you… Uh… oh man,
this is harder than I thought. I
wanna make sure I remember
everyone.
(takes out list)
My best friend Buck, my dog
Tarantula. I wanna thank my third
grade teacher, Mrs. Windemere, you
always said I could do it when no
one else could. I wanna thank the
recruiter who convinced me that the
army was the way to go, you were
so, so right. I'm not done yet!
I wanna thank my sergeant, who
gives me a hard time, but I know
it's for my sake and my first
lieutenant who gives him a hard
time, but for my sake…
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
(A Message Home That is
Obviously Edited to Sound
Positive from a Message
That Was Originally Sad
and Depressing)
Hey Mom and Dad! I have never had
a…..better time…..in my life. I
wish I could kill…..more
Iraqis…..for…..my…..country. I
have never been more
sad…..about….the idea of coming
home….before….this war is over.
I…..never…….want to come home. I
would love to see
you……but…..I……will stay here
forever.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
(throughout the
performance, it becomes
clear that this troop is
reading from cue cards or
being prompted)
Hello family and lovers of freedom,
it's your son, Todd. I just wanted
to say what a blast I am having
here. It's a pleasure to wake up
every day and know that I am
serving my country. Some may say
that this war was unfounded and
that President Bush should have
pulled out of Iraq years ago, but I
stand behind him. He is a great
leader, and I am excited to fight
this war with him and for him, so
that freedom can reign for years to
come. Take care, I love you, and
God bless this great nation.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Thanks to all my pen pals from Ms.
Winters class in Asheville, North
Carolina. All your cards and those
drawings of your favorite foods
really took my mind off all this
death around me.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey guys, I had a long story to
tell you but they're saying keep it
short, so - I got shot in the
skull, but I was not wounded. It's
really complicated, I'll tell you
the story later.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey everybody. I've been trying to
learn Arabic.
(butchers some hard-to
pronounce Arabic word,
trying like 2 or 3 times
to say it properly)
That means goodbye. So, yeah,
(does it again, while
waving and smiling)
Goodbye.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
I've been trying to learn Arabic
out here. I tell you, it's really
embarrassing to have to get a ten
year-old to help you out when you
have to decide whether or not to
kill somebody.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Jeremy Hagel saying hi from Al
Anbar province in Iraq. Want to say
hi to my baby back in Durango
Colorado. Baby, I got your letter
and I really don't think it's a
good idea for you to come out here
to be with me right now. Things are
all crazy for me and it's a war
zone and I just think you'd be
really bored. Of course, I'd love
for you to meet the people I work
with - I'm not embarrassed by you
at all, honestly…Also, I've had
some time to think since I've been
here and I think maybe I need a
break - [cuts off]
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Fiona Dunn, medic with the 32nd
airborne division. Want to wish my
friends and family in Florida all
the best, and I want to thank the
entire town of Fort Lauderdale for
agreeing to jointly raise my son
while I'm fighting here.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Good morning to everyone in
Columbus, OH. I can't wait to come
home. Boy do I have some stories
that I can't shake from my
conscience!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey, Brian! Bet I could kick your
ass at Counterstrike now! I just
wish health regenerated here.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Hey everybody back home. Things are
going great here. It's like those
Go Army commercials except with
blood.
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
...And Mom, thanks for the care
packages with the sardines in them.
Keep 'em coming, I can use the
sardine cans for body armor."
(Shows sardine can suit
under his jacket)
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad. Say,
I don't mean to be weird or
anything, but…
(tearing up)
…I didn't get presents last night,
so I was wondering, is there a
Santa Claus?
(sobbing, turns off
camera)
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
Hello, dear family. I bring you a
tale. A tale of the bravest
soldier to fight in Iraq. His name
was Samson Bright and he stood
seven feet tall, if he stood at
all. His hair was a shock of
gleaming gold and his eyes, cold
and blue as ice. At one time he
could vanquish 500, nay, 5000
insurgents all with the one weapon
we'd ever wield: his MP5 submachine
gun.
He lived to be 423 before he was
murdered by scheming generals too
overcome with jealousy and hate to
see Samson's full goodness. I send
this video'd message as an honor to
him. To Samson. Samson Bright!
EXT. BASE
SOLDIER
I hope everything down at the
sporting goods store is cool. Is
everyone still alive?
**********************************
******** NON- IRAQ ********
**********************************
EXT. NON-IRAQ BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, I'm stationed at Rammstein Air
Force Base in Germany. Just want
to say hello to all my friends and
family back home. And to all the
troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Best of luck, boys. Hope things
are going better than what we read
in the papers.
EXT. NON-IRAQ BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, this is Greg Jentzen, stationed
at TKTK base in Spain. Want to say
hello to all the troops fighting in
Iraq and Afghanistan. (Obviously
defensive)I was totally supposed to
go to Iraq. Like, I signed up and
requested to be sent to the front
lines and everything, but for some
reason they sent me here to Spain.
I didn't ask to be sent here at
all. It's out of my hands, you
know.
EXT. NON-IRAQ BASE
SOLDIER
This is Jack Warbley, airman first
class in the US Air Force,
stationed at tk base in Valencia,
Spain. 'Hola, amigos y familia
==== los Estados Unidos. TKTKTk
TKTK TKTKTK" That's Spanish for
"Hello to all my friends and
families back in the United
States. Thank God I'm not in
Iraq."
EXT. NON-IRAQ BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, this is Clem Ruskins, stationed
at Name TK Base in the Czech
Republic. We're far away from the
front line in Iraq, but doesn't
mean we're safe here because we all
know terrorists are determined to
kill Americans wherever they are.
(Pause) Happy Thanksgiving!
EXT. NON-IRAQ BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, this is private first class
Dennis Martin, stationed at TKTK in
South Korea. Things are great
here. The weather is very nice,
the people are friendly, and it's
thousands of miles from Iraq.
EXT. NON-IRAQ BASE
SOLDIER
Hi, this is Jeff Tucker, United
States Marine Corps, stationed at
Paris Island. My commanders say I
can't deploy to Iraq until I pass
the rope climbing course. I've
been trying to finish it for
months, but I just can't seem to
get the hang of it. Oh, well. I'm
sure I'll figure it out soon.
Hi, this Special Forces officer
Pete Carney, coming to you from
Iran. I mean Iraq. Iraq.
Definitely in Iraq. Yup. Things
are pretty good here. In Iraq.
Hoo boy. Gotta go. Happy
Thanksgiving.
This is John Keller stationed in
Rammstein, Germany. I just want to
say hey to my buddy Hector who's
over in Iraq right now. Hector,
you gotta come to Germany. It's
amazing. I'm having the time of my
life. So look out for roadside
bombs and snipers and, yeah, if you
don't die, come visit.
Hey, this is NAME stationed in
Rammstein, Germany. I just want to
say I'm proud to be serving my duty
to America, standing by to protect
us from the Europeans should they
turn on us. Try not to worry about
me, mom and dad. I knew what I was
getting into when I signed up for
this, and I am proud to take on the
full responsibility, no matter the
risks. Just pray for me and I know
I'll make it home.
This is Air Force Sergeant NAME
stationed in Rammstein, Germany,
just saying "What's up" to my buddy
Trevor who's in the Army over in
Baghdad. Haven't heard from you in
a while. Things are good here: We
just sit around, playing video
games, going to the bars and
movies... I even met a
German girl that I've been dating
for a while now. I'm pretty much
in love with her, and we might get
married. Anyway, hope you're
getting to do the same over in
Iraq.
Hello to all my Army buddies over
in Iraq. It must seem like things
are pretty different between us
now, since I got stationed here in
Germany,
but it's probably more similar than
you'd think. Like the other day I
thought I saw a roadside bomb. It
turned out it was just a really fat
cat trying to eat part of a burger
out of a paper bag, but for a
second it was like I was right
there with you guys. Anyway, keep
up the good work.
This is Staff Seargent NAME just
saying hello to my family back in
Raleigh, North Carolina. I believe
I have won the hearts and minds of
the people here in Rammestein,
Germany, where I am stationed.
Hi, I'm NAME, stationed in
Switzerland, and this goes out to
all the soldiers over in Iraq. I
don't think there's anything I
would rather do than leave this
base and come over there and fight
with you guys in Iraq. I mean, I
really would love to. But, I
guess, duty calls, you gotta go
where Uncle Sam sends you. So I'll
be staying here in the snowy
mountains of Switzerland. But I
swear I really wish I was there in
Baghdad. I guess you can't always
get everything, though.
This is NAME, stationed in
Rammstein, Germany. This goes out
to all my brothers in arms over in
Iraq and Afghanistan. We might be
far apart, but in spirit, I am
right there with you. When you're
engaged in fire-fights, and
defusing roadside bombs, and caring
for your buddies who have been
wounded and need drastic medical
help, just know that I'll be here
in my bunk in Germany thinking
about you. It'll be like I'm
standing right next to you helping
to mop up the blood, even if I'm
taking a nap. Let's go,
Marines! Semper fi!
**********************************
******** KEN BURNS ********
**********************************
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
My dear Brittney. My mission here
in Tikrit may be may be one of
severe conflict and death to me.
Not my will, but thine 0 God, be
done. If it is necessary that I
should fall on the battlefield for
my country, I am ready. I have no
misgivings about, or lack of
confidence in, the cause in which I
am engaged, and my courage does not
halt or falter. I know how strongly
American Civilization now leans
upon the triumph of the Government,
and how great a debt we owe to
those who went before us through
the blood and suffering of the
Revolution. And I am willing --
perfectly willing -- to lay down
all my joys in this life, to help
maintain this Government, and to
pay that debt.
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Greetings to my dear family in
Rockford, IL. I have sought most
closely and diligently, and often
in my breast, for a wrong motive in
thus hazarding the happiness of
those I loved and I could not find
one. A pure love of my country and
of the principles have often
advocated before the people and
"the name of honor that I love more
than I fear death" have called upon
me, and I have obeyed.
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Shaniqua, my love for you is
deathless, it seems to bind me to
you with mighty cables that nothing
but Omnipotence could break;
and yet my love of Country comes
over me like a strong wind and
bears me irresistibly on with all
these chains to the battlefield.
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
The memories of the blissful
moments I have spent with you come
creeping over me, and I feel most
gratified to God and to you that I
have enjoyed them so long. And hard
it is for me to give them up and
burn to ashes the hopes of future
years, when God willing, we might
still have lived and loved together
and seen our sons grow up to
honorable manhood around us.
Something whispers to me -- perhaps
it is the wafted prayer of my
little Tyrell -- that I shall
return to my loved ones unharmed.
If I do not, my dear Shaniqua,
never forget how much I love you,
and when my last breath escapes me
on the battlefield, it will whisper
your name.
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
This evening, the 20th of May,
affords me the delightful pleasure
of writing to you all at home.
Home. Home. How much pleasure there
is in that word home? There is more
than tongue can express. How oft
have I thought of home. That place
that I formerly so little
appreciated. And to think of those
that are there. The kind Father,
the indulgent Mother to which I
have been so disrespectful in days
gone by. The fond sisters that I
have so oft mistreated. Oh, that I
could have my time over again how
different I would live. Thank you
for care package you sent-- the
People magazines and the Cheetoes
were a big hit among the men.
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Dear Brother and Sister in Pine
Ridge , Mississippi. Last Monday
morning I was awakened by the heavy
booming of artillery and upon
inquiring the case, was informed
that the insurgents were only about
two or three miles from town. They
had overtaken a public building and
had made a demonstration at day
light. I judged by the time and the
length of the firing that we were
to have a general engagement that
day and oh, how I prayed for
success to our arms, for I knew
what a formidable antagonist they
would have to cope with. All day
the hand held rocket launchers
bellowed and once in a while a
breeze would bring the faint report
of firearms. But along in the
afternoon, the explosion of an air
attack became quite plain and at
length cheers could be heard. We
had been victorious!
EXT BASE - KEN BURNS MESSAGE
SOLDIER (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Dear Mother. Your kind letter
arrived last night & found me well.
To hear that you are well is a
source of great pleasure to me. I
still hope that I may be permitted
to see you again, but if Providence
otherwise determines, I shall
expect to meet you in a "Home
beyond the Tide" where no sorrow is
but where all is joy. I know that
there is a crown of glory prepared
for all that prove faithful. Tell
Dad Hi, too, and make sure he moved
my mustang inside the garage for
winter.
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