I marched against the Vietnam War when I attended college in the 60's as a single parent. I knew that "War is not healthy for children or any living thing."
Much music of this war protest era was written and performed by Crosby, Stills and Nash and Neil Young. Linda Englund a MFSO mother soon off to see her own Army son in Germany, called me today, "I have just seen a new movie out now. You have to see it. It is intense. I cried." I had been thinking of heading to the movies this afternoon so...off I went to see it.
It is a balance of music from Vietnam and reprieves from their 2006 tour "Freedom of Speech" Neil Young was the planner of the tour as he created new music in protest of this war. It is so powerful with clips from the 60's and new music Neil has written for today.
Iraq veterans are important actors in this movie as they tell the story of the tragedy of this war. I know two of the soldiers of this story-one living, one deceased. One is Darrell Anderson who now lives in KY. I was on the podium with Darrell and his mother at a Memorial Service for deceased soldiers created by the AFSC: Eyes Wide Open in Chicago in 2007. Darrell's mother is a member of MFSO-Military Families Speak Out. He suffers greatly from PTSD. Darrell went AWOL to Canada, returned, charged by the Army but finally discharged with honor. His mother is fighting valiantly to get the mental health services Darrell continues to need. She reaches out to other soldiers who are protesting the war as we all do.
Another soldier's story is that of Lt. Ken Ballard killed in Iraq 2004. I met his mother while at Walter Reed. Karen wanted to talk to Jason as he and Ken were in the same tank commander class. Ken was killed during his tour of duty extension for three months. I met Karen at Ken's graveside in Arlington National Cemetery Memorial Day 2006. She invited me to come to the memorial she holds each year, "There is no better place for me to be here at the graveside of my only son, my only child." She pours beer on his grave and tells the story of her son and his service and his death. Her interview in the movie made me weep with her sorrow and with my sorrow for the lives lost because of this war.
The music itself caused me to weep as it "bridged time" between Vietnam and Iraq and the suffering caused by war. I hadn't listened to the songs for such a long time. I recommend the album. I recommend the movie, "Ask your local theater to show it." We must end this war NOW and we cannot bomb or invade Iran. This president is war mad and our children and families suffer and lose their lives.
Hold our soldiers, veterans and their families in your thoughts. The movie CSNY/Deja Vu honors them highly.
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