Monday, May 29, 2023

Observing Memorial Day 2023 - Movie Review - The Outpost

Memorial Day in the United States is a holiday to honor and mourn U.S Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives during military service. For many, this day represents a three-day weekend, travel, and barbecues. As a young adult I thought of the weekend only as the unofficial beginning of summer. I didn't fully appreciate the somber meaning of this day until my own children were active duty and deployed overseas. Now I spend part of Memorial Day weekend each year learning the names of a few of those for whom this holiday was created. 

Memorial Day Remembering with The Outpost Movie


I read a book or watch a movie that highlights those who lost their lives while serving our country. I have a deep respect for those who choose to serve our country to begin with. Personally, it is important to me to learn the names of at least one persona KIA (killed in action) and to keep their memory alive.

The Outpost

Today I watched The Outpost. It is a war film released in 2020 and directed by Rod Lurie. It is based on the book, The Outpost: An Untold Story of American Valor by Jake Tapper.

The story is about an American military base in Afghanistan in 2009. The base is set in a valley fully surround by mountains. Not distant mountains but mountains towering over the base. Even a civilian like me knows that this isn't a safe position to be in when dealing with the Taliban during that time of conflict. But American troops are sent there because of the proximity to Pakistan and some of the supply routes coming out of that country and into Afghanistan. 

It is heart-breaking when this vulnerable outpost is attacked and the Battle of Kamdesh results in many deaths. This battle is historic for many reasons. I am not sure of any way that I can tell more about the storyline without giving spoilers. So I won't. I will say that, as an army mom, it gave me an idea of what our deployed family members went through with limited contact with home, deciding what to say and what not to say when that contact is made, and their "austere" living conditions. We know that our Armed Forces members are sent into harm's way. But sometimes it appears that some of the risk is preventable. 

This is a difficult story. But I believe it is an important one. When searching for recommended "Memorial Day movies" I found it listed on a military site. For that reason, I thought that the movie must be viewed as important or realistic - or both. I hadn't heard of this movie or seen advertising for it otherwise. 

This will be one of the movies I watch more than once. A movie I will probably add to my annual Memorial Day tradition.

Additional Links:

In 2019 I read Dog Company You: A True Story of American Soldiers Abandoned by Their High Command. You can see the original post here.

In 2018 I learned about the Bataan Death March in the 1940s and about a special reconnaissance mission was occurring in Afghanistan in 2005 (Lone Survivor). You can see my original post for that year here

In 2017 I read World Changer: A Mother's Story: The Unbreakable Spirit of US Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn by Karen Vaughn. You can see the original post here.

I don't believe I have ever reviewed the movie Saving Private Ryan. I do not have the words to adequately describe that powerful movie. I do watch it every year during Memorial Weekend. If you have never seen it, I highly recommend it. 



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9 comments:

  1. Dawn Rae, thank you for this powerful and excellent review and for introducing me to The Outpost. Your commitment to honoring our fallen military is wonderful. Definitely a day to pause and reflect. Thank your sons for their service.

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  2. Dawn Rae, how wonderful that you have created a tradition for yourself that honors our fallen military personnel and honors the true spirit of Memorial Day. Thank you for the introduction to The Outpost and please thank your sons for their service.

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  3. You are absolutely right Dawn! We should focus on the reason for observing Memorial Day. It is great to have the family time, gatherings, barbecues, travel, etc. Watching a movie or reading a book is a fabulous way to take time to really consider the sacrifices and spend that time in a mindset of thankfulness.

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  4. I agree Ms. Mouse. I attended a cook out yesterday and will be attending another tonight. It is great to have those gatherings and I hope I didn't make it sound like we shouldn't.

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    Replies
    1. lol, no you did not! I was simply thinking out loud. I, personally, like the fun things, but I need to follow your lead and take a few hours out of the 3 day holiday to really focus on the reason for the holiday.

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    2. Whew! Good. The older I get the less coherent I write/speak.

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  5. A beautiful way to honor those lost and those who serve - learning the name of a person killed in action is touching, profound tribute - Thank you for the introduction to the film, The Outpost. I can only imagine the stress and strength to be a military mom. Blessings to your family.

    ReplyDelete

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