"My War, My Story" is a documentary about Iraq war vets from across the country; vets who have put their lives on the line for their country. It is their story told in their own words. These are the words of soldiers, not demonstrators or commentators. It is not anti-military, although most of the soldiers' feelings are against the Iraq war as they experienced it.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Part V: "Going West"
Carol kisses me goodbye at the train station in Meriden, Connecticut, and I ride Amtrak through Philadelphia, Washington, and Chicago. Two days later I arrive in Denver, where it is brutally cold, well below zero, but I instantly learn the difference low humidity makes. If the wind doesn’t blow it’s quite bearable, much easier to take than a 30-degree day in the humid New England air.
My friend and producer Dennis greets me in his pick-up. He’s arranged to meet some vets in his home state of Wyoming. I’ve tried to avoid using the word ‘interview’ here, but I don’t have a proper word for what I do. ‘Interview’ sounds kind of condescending to me, as I see my job not as journalism, but simply creating a record of what certain Iraq vets with certain beliefs think about themselves, the country, and the war. Besides, wherever possible, I don’t use the Q&A format. If I can, I just get them talking, without steering anything.
Later, we meet Ben. He’s amazingly direct and sincere. He didn’t believe in the war, and was very conflicted in Iraq. “Everyday, I felt like crap. I felt like such a hypocrite. But you do what you have to, to survive.”
A big part of the problem, he says, is that American voters live in a “comfort bubble,” and they’ll simply vote in anyone who will keep them there.
Hello my name is daryn merrill, recently have enlisted in the marine corp!! as a poolee, i am going in as either combat engineer or infantry.. after watching your documentary am second guessing my decision.. ANY advice?
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