How Does One "Review" A War?

After watching Ken Burns' 14 hour long epic film THE WAR on PBS, I felt moved to say something about this.
The trouble is what CAN you say about something SO moving, So emotional, and SO poignant as this view of the Second World War, seen through the eyes of those living in four cities scattered across America?

Technically, the film is flawless. But there is so much more under the surface. The archival footage was superbly utilized...that was going to be a given, knowing Burns' work as a film maker.
And his inclusion of the "personal" aspect to the war always manages to hit home and touch the heart. Again...also a given. Perfect in it's portrayal.
The soundtrack was like listening to Dad's LPs once again during a lazy Sunday afternoon, all those years ago. He always liked big band music.

What I found particularly interesting about THE WAR, was that although these brave men (and women) went through several types of hell in the process, the mere thought of "home" was what kept their drive alive, and drove them onto victory. With a tear-stained letter, or a dog-eared photograph, these people KNEW that THIS was what they were fighting for...what they had to come home to. Failure to achieve victory was not only NOT an option...it would result in the loss of what they held dear to them, namely their country, their way of life, and their families. And too many times, the cost was high...and final.
Stroll through any "Field of Stone" and see the truth in markers of marble.

Is this just a good film? Definitely, but it is SO much more. It is a glimpse, a snapshot into the lives of every one of US here in America (then as well as now), and how sacrifices were made both overseas and here at home to ensure that the evil that brought this war to our doorsteps would NEVER get a chance to get it's foot IN that door. It chronicles the angst of families torn asunder by having their loved ones fighting in some foreign land for OUR freedoms here. It tells about those souls fighting IN those lands and telling their families to not worry about them, because THEY are doing the right thing for all concerned.

I am one of those fortunate people that heard my Father's "war stories" time and again. And I'm sure you must have a grandfather or great uncle in YOUR family as well, recounting the time they spent between 1941-1945 (or later).
My Dad was proud to serve his nation, and saw WW2 as a "popular" war.
By that, he meant that the whole of our nation was BEHIND our troops and the task they had to do, and that we would not stop until victory was achieved. It was a far cry from what became of the Vietnam War (quaintly called a "conflict"), and to a lesser degree, the Korean War (which is still called a "police action"). The troops sentiments and beliefs for fighting were the same, but it as the homefront's perception that was taken to task.
Unfortunately, we are seeing the same thing play out with our Gulf War soldiers. That has to change. Evil will not go away, no matter what incarnation it takes, simply because we choose to ignore it. The first step in defeating it, is knowing this much.
Like Dad said: World War 2 WAS a POPULAR war (in that regard).

We admire and applaud and award medals of honor, bravery, and valor to those who unselfishly give their time (and their lives) to keep OUR nation free and fight tyranny wherever it may surface. We grieve with the families who lose those sons, fathers, or brothers in the conflict, and we quietly chasten ourselves for not being able to do more, when we know we can (and should). We never have to make any of the personal sacrifices so many others did during WW2 (rationing for one), and still, we find it "annoying" that the current war is interrupting OUR lives.

The first best thing we can do NOW is to not only remember those who have given their all, but to support those currently in country, whatever country that might happen to be. I don't mean to preach, but we have to stand behind our soldiers, marines, sailors and aviators, because whatever cost WE have to pay pales in comparison to THEIR cost.
And that is one fact that will never change with ANY war...at any time.

It becomes difficult to find the proper words to adequately "review" Ken Burns THE WAR, as, in many ways, it speaks for itself, and on many levels. I am sure that however many times I choose to view it, I will come away with something I hadn't thought of, or noticed the previous time.
That alone says much for the quality of this film.
Moreover, it will get us to THINK. It will get us to TALK. It will get us to walk away from this film with a much better appreciation and acknowledgement of what these brave men have done for our nation, as well as how America itself rallied to aid our troops in every capacity imaginable.

Although most war of this magnitude is unavoidable, it might set into the proper perspective the reason we HAVE to fight...why we MUST fight.

War is never the best solution to the world's problems, but when called to fight, we should be willing to preserve that which our forefathers established, lest we, as a nation...as a people perish in the process, as have others along history's journey.

THE WAR is about who WE are, and who WE hope to become. It's about ordinary people doing the EXTRAORDINARY. It's about everything we espouse and everything we despise. But most of all...it's about each and every one of US. Cherish the tellers of these stores now, because we are losing about 1000 WW2 veterans EVERY DAY, and their story needs to be told, so we can remember...and learn.
That is the reason for Burns' film...plain and simple.
It's a must see for everyone that has ever had anyone in their family affected by any war.
And that should be all of us.