Since signing up for Netflix, Saturday night has become “Movie Night”.
On Saturday last, I was perusing the offerings to see what was new. To see what was worth a couple hours of my time.
And there it was, “Act of Valor”.
I remember when this film came out and swore that I would go see it at the theater.
Like many films I have vowed to go see, time passed, other events occurred, and the moment was lost. Saturday night was an “oh yeah, I want to see that movie” moment.
After the movie started, and I was a good 15 minutes into it, was when I had a “hair standing up on the back of my neck” moment. Now this was not related to the film itself. I was completely immersed in what was happening on the screen. This was one of those moments when two events collided and became one.
Earlier in the day I was here, perusing “The Daily Lex” and sometimes, as I am wont to do, rambling through some of Lex’s other posts. And there I found, and read, Lex’s post Propaganda, a post which was, in essense, Lex’s review of the very same movie I was to watch Saturday evening.
When I stumbled across the movie and decided to watch it, I had more or less forgotten having read Lex’s piece earlier that day. But then, about 15 minutes in, it struck me that I had indeed read Lex’s thoughts on this movie. That very morning.
It gets worse. Lex had written that post on the 28th of February of this year, 2012. That post went up exactly one week before Lex was taken from us. It struck me that this may have been one of the last, if not the last, movie Lex ever watched.
I watched the remainder of the film with a lot of sadness. Even more than the movie itself demanded of me. The ending of the movie was moving and intensely sad. As I watched the names of the SEALS who paid the ultimate price since 9/11 scroll by, I thought of all of those who paid for my freedom.
At the same time I couldn’t help but feel a certain oneness with Lex. Here was an experience we shared. Far removed in time and space yes. But nevertheless, a shared experience.
I also couldn’t help but think that there are many experiences that we, as Americans share. Let’s never forget that.
The Lt, throwing himself upon the grenade at the end, and the burial in which the SEALS were hammering their Tridents into the casket, was a direct homage to MA2 Michael Monsoor. Who saved the lives of his fellow Seals by doing that very same thing in Iraq, and the Trident Hammering was a part of his burial.
Both the movie version, Monsoor’s real life burial, took place at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery.
22 other MoH recipients rest at Ft Rosecrans
The Cap’n is in good company.
I have this movie on the ‘puter and watch it every couple of weeks, because doing so keeps me mindful of events taking place nearby. Most of us remain perfectly oblivious to much of what happens, although for a few it’s in our faces regularly.
I wasn’t aware that this was one of Lex’ last movies. Thanks for sharing that. Like you, I deliberately read the names of the SEAL’s who have died, oftentimes pausing just so I can read all of their names. No one is spared, whether it be Officer, Chief, or Enlisted. The wars have claimed some of each.
I always remember their toast as they are talking about the upcoming mission on the beach – “For all those who’ve been down range, to us, and those like us — damn few.”
Then one of the highlights was the Navy Chief who calmly steps aboard the drug kingpin’s yacht, and explains to him how his life will now change.
I have to get that DvD – I read lex’s review of it and was surprised that he was a bit lukewarm on it -
We went to see in the theater about 10 days after Lex died. Having read his “review” and still reeling from our loss – it was tough to get thru. But in the end, there was only one word I could think of and it came from Lex and his commentariat – STUDS. Each one of them – Lex included. All who give their lives in service of their country.
We don’t deserve them. And there are times I wonder what we did as a commentariat to deserve having someone like Lex in our lives.