WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The shadows of conflict and the impact left in its aftermath. When soldiers are sent to war, they go to fight for the freedom we all enjoy. They are taking on chaos for the sake of our comfort, facing horrific conditions for our peace and welfare, and then coming home to a new kind of strife–the internal battle to rediscover themselves, reintegrate into society, and overcome the trauma experienced. Far, far easier said than accomplished, these brave men and women are in a state called PTSD, struggling against everything that they’ve done or witnessed while at war in order to gain a sense of normalcy. But again, accomplishing this is a daunting road that can only be achieved when they find the means by which to release the turmoil within.
Dealing with symptoms such as agitation, irritability, hostility, and hyper-vigilance to isolation, flashbacks, loneliness, guilt, insomnia, fear, and nightmares, just to even consider walking out the door each day can potentially be an almost impossible task. With a constant need to truly feel safe, it takes the efforts of fellow veterans, physicians, psychiatrists, and others to aid these wounded warriors in coping with PTSD and its associated ramifications through group therapy, medication, and means of expression, all in the hopes that they can realize there is hope and a chance to vanquish the demons they combat. What then amazes is that despite the seeming debilitation PTSD represents for so many veterans, most would re-enter the service if called upon to keep defending our liberty.
Next, my Mind:
Let’s be one hundred percent clear and frank here. There is simply no way anyone who views writer/director/cinematographer/editor Stacey Stone’s 53-minute documentary short film about the tragic realities of PTSD and the hope there is in assisting these amazing veterans through it in order to improve their quality of life once home from the scourge of war will not be touched and transformed by it. The severe actuality these men and women live with on a daily basis is nothing short of profound and affecting, having to fight each day simply to exist and feel protected, knowing that at any given moment, something around them could possibly trigger their harrowing symptoms. Fortunately, even in the midst of the emotional upheaval they contend with, there are amazing stories that emerge about how they’re slowly but surely finding ways not only to bring themselves out of this condition, but they’re banding together even more to help others make it through as well. It’s the brotherhood, friendship, and shared experiences that have such a direct influence in attempting to move on in life, along with those whose goals remain strong and true to care for and assist them in doing so.
Utilizing truly heartfelt, and often heart wrenching, testimonies from a myriad of veterans, from WWII participants like Joe Geraldi and Tony Cesario, to those who served in Vietnam like Rupert Wenzel, Phillip Covington, and Lon Hodge, to several who’ve lived out the modern-day campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan such as Kenny Bass, Capt. Daniel M. Moore, and Major Brad Gallup, they all share the tribulations, stresses, and agonies of warfare, which leaves a bitter mark within no matter what era or combat arena. Listening to them explain the nature of their individual skirmishes with PTSD while at times visibly having both hesitation and relief in discussing it likewise makes the viewer feel connected with their narratives to an extent that is sincere and genuine, especially when having the realization that this condition they wrestle with is not contrived, overblown, or exaggerated–it is a sobering truth and a further reminder about how much this country needs to stand up and do what it can to ensure they get the level of options and treatments needed to see their lives return to some semblance of regularity and order.
In total, “My Own War” is another well-done, insightful, astute, and discerning documentary that should challenge us all as Americans to accept and acknowledge the fact that no matter what our personal feelings about the wars we’ve fought are, we should never, ever allow ourselves not to at least show the support and respect to those who provide us our freedoms at the cost of their own lives, physically or mentally, and do so out of the sheer commitment to this country and its independence.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading! God bless the U.S.A.!
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