We were soldiers once ... and young

On Nov. 5-7, TNT cable is showing We Were Soldiers.

The film came out in 2002 and I remember seeing some trailers for it but never got around to seeing the film.

I was channel surfing and came across it.

The film is based on the book by Col. Moore of the same title. Col. Moore commanded the troops of the 1st battalion of the 7th calvary regiment. Ironically, it was the same unit that Gen. Custer commanded and had massacred.

The following web pages describe the battle:
http://www.lzxray.com/index.htm detailed account)
http://www.ehistory.com/vietnam/maps/0008.cfm (battlefield map)
http://www.weweresoldiers.net/index.htm (photos by Joe Galloway who was at the battle)

On the eve of the battle of Fallujah, the film moved me as it powerfully shows the chaos of the battlefield, the fierce determination of soldiers in combat and the courage of those back home.

American and Iraqi soldiers will fight soon in Fallujah. It is my hope that their blood will not be lost in vain. Freedom is not free and the Iraqis will pay for it with their own and once again America has been called upon to pay the ultimate price.

The Korean War Memorial has an inscription that says: "OUR NATION HONORS HER SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY NEVER KNEW AND A PEOPLE THEY NEVER MET."

Lord, have mercy.