After the video I created for my Christmas Eve/Christmas Day post, I got to thunkin’, which is always rather dodgy because it usually leads me into a new project. Since my post on December 5th entitled …if only in their dreams, the song I’’ Be Home for Christmas has appeared in one form or another at least 4 times in Nick’s Bytes. And, yet, I feel it has not fully expressed what images that song brings to my mind.
Thus, this morning I created another video in an attempt to express what may be inexpressible. I’ll appreciate your comments.
A very poignant video Nick. :(
ReplyDeleteThat was a wonderful tribute to all soldiers. The pictures say it all. I lost track of how many different wars you included.
ReplyDeleteI think of all these young men that love their country enough to make the sacrifices they make. War is ugly.
Qute a contrast between the gentle singing voice and the pictures. But it really brings "home" the message.
ReplyDeleteAkelamalu : Yes. Poignant is the word that was in my mind as I created this.
ReplyDeleteFinding Pam: You are most observant. I included photographs from World War I, World War II, Korea, Lebanon, Granada, Panama, Gulf War I, Afghanistan, and Iraq. I’d considered labeling each war, but decided that that would take away from the impact of the video.
Squirl: Yes. The simply tenderness of the song counteracted by the hopefulness of young men and women and the reality of war’s hideousness is what I was seeking. I think that is what first impressed me when I read the words my father wrote about the song back in 1943 in the diary that he kept during World War two.
So many soldiers never came home. In addition, we have killed many, many people in other lands who, also, will never know another holiday with their families.
ReplyDeleteThere are many reasons that we can't make it home for Christmas. I hope that, someday, war won't be one of them.
Thank you for sharing the images this song brings to your mind, Nick. As usual, you did a beautiful job.
Carol: Thank you. I had considered including photographs of the non-combatant victims of war in the video. Then I decided that they deserve a video of their own.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful tribute Nick. To the ugliness of war, certainly ... but more importantly, to the awe inspiring depths of love the human heart is capable of. As the slide says - many never came home. And that includes soldiers and civilians alike, both living and dead, in all times of war.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas, Nick.
ReplyDeleteEternally Curious : Yes, war is certainly ugly and so destructive in many ways. My father fought through the invasions of North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. He made it home from the war, but not as a whole man. He died from the war 40 years later.
ReplyDeleteMalnurtured Snay : Merry Christmas, my dear friend.
That brings it home to us, doesn't it, Nick. We should be so thankful to those servicemen and women protecting our countries and missing out on this time with their families.
ReplyDeleteVery thought provoking.
Yes, things can always be worse and they are for so many. May permanent peace come in our time but it does not seem likely.
ReplyDeleteI hope you had a wonderful Christmas, well I see you did.
Puss-n-Boots: The death and destruction of war brings it right to my doorstep. One of the photos in that video is of COL Richard Higgins, who went to high school with me. While serving as commander of the United Nations peace-keeper forces in Lebanon in 1990 he was kidnapped by pro-Iranian terrorists, tortured, and brutally murdered. He didn’t come home. His death was such a waste of a very talented and very good man.
ReplyDeletejmb : I do my best to see hope in most situations, even though, like you, I do not believe that we shall experience peace in our time.
Yes, thank you, I have had a wonderful Christmas! And, I look forward to a happy New Year! May it be the same for you.
Very, very good, Sir! Thank you for making this.
ReplyDeleteHope you have a very happy New Years.
It made me cry...
ReplyDeleteOk, not I'm all teary-eyed.
ReplyDeleteA very touching video, Nick, thanks.
Very impressive, Peacemaker Nick!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the creation of the movie