Would you like to gain more appreciation for the veterans of our country? Or maybe you are a veteran and you would like to pay respect to your fellow service men and women? There are places all over our nation to do so.
Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most notable sites for veterans to visit and remember their fallen comrades before them. It is located just outside Washington D.C. on grounds of the estate formerly owned by the family of Robert E. Lee’s wife Mary Anna Lee. It was established during the American Civil War, but now veterans and military casualties from every war since are buried in this cemetery, bringing the total buried to over 300,000. There are over 70 sections to the cemetery remembering different wars. There are also many other memorials, such as a section remembering the military nurses, the men who lost their lives aboard the USS Maine, the crew of the Space shuttle Challenger, and the Tomb of the Unknowns. The Tomb of the Unknowns represents all of those who lost their lives and have never been identified. There is one man from each war entombed and it is constantly guarded each day. This is a great place to visit and remember all who have lost their lives in battle for their country.
The Iwo Jima Memorial is a statue just outside the walls of Arlington National Cemetery. Based off of a photo taken during the Battle of Iwo Jima, it shows soldiers raising the American flag during battle. It bears two inscriptions that explain its importance; “Uncommon Valor Was a Common Virtue” and “In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775″.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located in Washington D.C. is a national war memorial that honors the U.S. armed forces who died during the Vietnam War or who have still not been accounted for. It lists the names of all of those killed during the war. It consists of the Vietnam Women’s Memorial, the Statue of the Three Soldiers, and the most known of the three parts, the Memorial Wall that lists all of the names. It is also surrounded by beautiful gardens.
The Korean War Veteran’s Memorial is also located in Washington D.C. to remember the men and woman who served during this war. It depicts soldiers marching through Korean terrain surrounded by a black wall mirroring their images. In front of them there is a pool of remembrance. Here people can come to pay respect to American bravery.
The Alamo located in San Antonio, Texas, is one of the most historic buildings in the U.S. The building was originally constructed as a mission in 1718, and moved twice before reaching its final destination in 1724. The Battle of the Alamo occurred in 1836, where over 150 Texans died including some of Texas’s folk heroes such as David Crockett, William Barrett Travis, and Jim Bowie. A nice little hint is to go late a night when the lights reflect the bullet holes. It gives it a more intense feeling that a battle really took place.
Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Honolulu, Hawaii was the scene of a major attack during World War II, where the Japanese targeted the U.S. On Dec, 7 1941, six Japanese carriers launched 183 planes at Ford Island, following with a fleet of 170 planes at Pearl Harbor. Unwarned the United State’s Navy had no idea it was coming. Nine ships were completely sunk, along with 21 damaged. Many men died that day to protect the base. Today the U.S.S. Arizona still sits under water in remembrance of this devastating day.
Gettysburg Battlefieldin Pennsylvania remains a historic site for veterans still today. The battle fought betweens July 1-3, 1863 was often considered the war’s turning point and also had the most casualties. It was here that the Gettysburg address was given by Lincoln, reminding us of the equality of all people. This battle changed our country and the fallen are still remembered today.
Fort McHenrylocated in Baltimore, Maryland, is a star shaped fort known for defending Baltimore Harbor against the British during the War of 1812 in the Chesapeake Bay. It was here that Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” as he saw the American Flag rise, giving hope to all of the American Soldiers who had given up. Fort McHenry is a symbol of hope and the American Spirit.
West Point Military Academy is a 4 year coeducational federal service academy that was established in 1802. It is located in New York and played a very important role in the Revolutionary War. West Point is the longest continually occupied post in the United States. It sits on the high ground overlooking the Hudson making it a good look out to prevent the British Ships from sneaking up on them. It is home to many historic sites, landmarks, and monuments itself. Candidates must be of the highest caliber to enter, and many times must receive nomination from a congressman.
The Indiana World War Memorial Plaza was constructed to honor the veteran’s of World War I. Located in Indianapolis, Indiana it was designed to be the headquarters of the American Legion and a memorials to the state and nation’s veteran’s. In a five block radius there is an obelisk, a memorial cenotaph, and the Indiana World War Memorial. The memorial houses a museum, the Shrine Room, and an auditorium all designed to honor veterans.
There are many more places around the country honoring veterans. As well there should be. These men and woman have sacrificed their time, families, and sometimes their lives for our freedom and happiness. We should be grateful and show our respect to them. By visiting these places we can gain a greater appreciation for the service men and woman of our country.
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“Wow” is a fairly common reaction following an initial viewing of Full Metal Jacket, which is arguably one of the most intense Vietnam-era military movies ever made. Released in 1987, Full Metal Jacket returns us to the late 1960s and the experiences of a group of Marines as they start out in basic training. R. Lee Ermey portrays one of the most memorable military characters of all time in Gunnery Sgt. Hartman, whose in-your-face insults and training methods prepare the Marines for their service in Vietnam.
Saving Private Ryan follows a group of U.S. servicemen in World War II on a “needle in a haystack” search for a Private who is his mother’s last remaining son following the deaths of his brothers. The idea of sacrifice is questioned throughout the film, as the soldiers on the hunt for Private Ryan find themselves face-to-face with the enemy on the search for one man.
Platoon is a Vietnam War film that tells the story of the disenchantment of Chris Taylor, a wealthy American student who volunteers to serve in military during the war. Upon arriving into the fray, Taylor is quickly confronted with the brutal realities of war. The film continues on to showcase the lives and deaths of Taylor and his platoon.
Black Hawk Down is a film based on the events surrounding the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993. Although obvious liberties were taken in the creation of the movie from a book written by Michael Durant, an American soldier who was captured and later released, the film does follow the events leading up to the loss of two American helicopters into the heart of Mogadishu. With thousands of Somali militiamen in the streets, the soldiers are faced with constant assault.
Top Gun takes the military motif into the wild blue yonder of the sky. True to his call name Maverick, Lt. Pete Mitchell is a talented, albeit rebellious Naval pilot who gets a shot at the U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School. During the training, Maverick and his sidekick Goose both impress and enrage their fellow pilots and trainers. Fast flying and hard hitting, Top Gun truly is one of the best military movies of all time.
6. Heartbreak Ridge
The Hunt for Red October is to the seas what Top Gun is to the skies. The film centers on the Red October, a Soviet nuclear submarine captained by Marko Ramius. Fearing what the Soviet government has planned with the submarine’s secret silent propulsion system, Ramius defects to the U.S., a fact initially unbeknownst to the U.S.S. Dallas, which sees the Red October as a rogue threat.
The only Civil War movie to make our list, Glory focuses on the efforts of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. The 54th was comprised primarily of African-American soldiers, most of which were freeborn Northerners but some of which were freed or escaped slaves. Glory follows the regiments training and subsequent struggle to earn the respect and glory associated with battle.
G.I. Jane is a fictional film that centers on the admission of Lt. Jordan O’Neil to the U.S. Navy’s Special Warfare Group. As the first woman to undergo the training, Lt. O’Neil is forced to deal with obstacles of sexism and tokenism in her attempt to be taken seriously and to successfully complete the training.
Our only military comedy on the list, Stripes shines a comedic light on military basic training and overseas service. Front and center in the film is Bill Murray as John Winger, a ne’er-do-well who manages to bumble his way through basic training with the help of his best friend. Eventually deployed to Italy, their own stupidity has them wandering into Soviet territory, eventually leading a successful mission against a Soviet base.
