Thursday Thirteen - 183 - 13 of My Favorite Films and TV Shows That Showcase The Soldier's Experience

As many of you know, my birthday is also a national day of mourning and remembrance. For some people, that might seem like a real downer, but it never has for me.

Perhaps it's because my dad was in the army and I was delivered by a captain in an army hospital. Perhaps it's because my birthday is the day when arms were laid down and a peace treaty signed.

Inside of my heart there has always been an intense connection with soldiers of every time period, of every land. Nothing makes me cry at the drop of a hat quicker than the mention of the grave of the Unknown Soldier.

I strive to be a diplomat in my dealings with people, but in reality I've been called a hard-ass by more than one person. I do the unpleasant stuff when it has to be done. I'm approached to handle things in much the same way as a sergeant is the mediator between the officers and the ranks.

I pretty much think of myself as a living banner for that Unknown Soldier. I honor him, and her, in my heart every day of the year.

No surprise, then, that I've always been attracted to films and TV shows that feature the soldier's life. My dad and I used to spend my birthday watching old war movies on TV, when he'd tell me all sorts of fascinating historical tidbits. For today's Thursday Thirteen, here are thirteen of my favorites, including a bonus TV spot that airs in Canada at this time of year.

NOTE: All clips contain strong violence, some clips contain very strong language.

1 - 300

CLICK HERE to watch video clip














2 - Gladiator




3 - Rob Roy




4 - Horatio Hornblower




5 - The Patriot




6 - Sharpe




7 - The Lighthorsemen




8 - Passchendaele




9 - Band of Brothers




10 - Platoon




11 - Original Star Trek: The Omega Glory




12 - The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King

CLICK HERE to watch video clip










13 - Star Wars: The Phantom Menace




Bonus - Royal Canadian Mint commemorative coin commercial




Photo of Canada Bereft at the Vimy Ridge Memorial in France by Mshulist

Canada Bereft by sculptor Walter Seymour Allward

Poetry Train Monday - 83 - When He First Appeared at The Bottom of the Stairs

For today's Poetry Train I'm doing the first in what will be a series of found poems. This one is from a diary entry I made on Jan. 12th, 1980 when I was 15.

When He First Appeared at The Bottom of the Stairs


Michelle and I
Watched
Star Trek - it was Charlie X

That's so
Funny too
Because
Every Friday night
Michelle and I
Guess
What episode Star Trek will be
And Michelle had guessed
Charlie X

Mom, Dad
Michelle
Connie and I
Went
To the Rebecca Cohn
This evening
To see
Gone With the Wind

So many people came

At intermission, the
Line-up in the washroom was
A mile long

The movie was astounding

It overwhelmed me

Vivien Leigh
Was
So good
As Scarlett

What an actress

Clark Gable, of course
Was
Terrific

When he first appeared
At
The bottom of the staircase

At Tara
During the barbeque

The whole audience
Sighed
And burst
Into applause

Copyright - Jan. 11, 2009 - Julia Smith

Original diary entry - Jan. 12, 1980