Brothers at War

Having recently toured the Normandy beaches and hedgerows, the impact of war on the young men of those days in 1944 has been much on my mind. Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers served to put a real,if Hollywood,face on the sacrifices made by thousands of young Americans. A visit to any one of the 27 cemeteries in Normandy brings the cost home in an indelible manner.

Once again, young Americans, both men and women this time, are fighting and dying in Iraq and Afghanistan. Leaving aside the politics of these conflicts, the experiences of the Rademacher family and,in particular,its heroic sons, reminds me again that the idea of serving ones country is of the highest order in the American psyche. The documentary does justice to this idea and,at the same time,reflects the intensely personal sacrifices made by each member of the family. The scenes in-country, inside the FOB's and outside, on patrols and in the fire fight, are a graphic portrayal of the boredom and terror combat brings with it.

Because it is real and true, not staged like films such as Hurt Locker - good as it was - in my opinion Brothers at War ought to be required viewing for all Americans. I'd recommend starting with the Congress of the United States.

I salute Jake Rademacher,Gary Sinise and all the others who made Brothers at War happen. And a sincere and grateful thank you to all members of the Rademacher family.