Greater love hath no man than this – that he lay down his life for his friends.
John 15:13
I was fortunate to see a preview of “Restrepo” last weekend in Chicago, on the crest of the documentary’s rolling-thunder nationwide release. It’s an intense window on the Afghan War – expertly developed by two fearless, skilled storytellers – Sebastian Junger (New York Times best-selling author & journalist) and Tim Hetherington (prize-winning Vanity Fair photographer).
The film focuses on a single platoon of 15 Soldiers (Battle Company 2/503) during their 15-month tour at a remote observation post in Afghanistan’s notorious Korengal Valley. Junger and Hetherington embedded on three rotations from 2007-2008 – capturing up-close and personal the harsh, relentless realities of combat life on what was arguably one of the most dangerous assignments in the world.
Both the outpost and the documentary are named for PFC Juan Restrepo – a combat medic
who was killed shortly after his unit arrived. The story is pure, raw and real, by design. No amped-up sound effects. No commentary from outside the ranks. No soundtrack. This isn’t a dramatization. None is required.
The film aims not to judge the war. Instead, as Junger says, it focuses on “honoring Soldiers doing their job” – by showing us first-hand how they fought the Taliban, by revealing the difficulty of this task, and by letting us consider its toll on those who serve.
I appreciate what this movie accomplishes on behalf of common soldiers. Having been deployed at a remote Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan during much of the same timeframe in which “Restrepo” was filmed, I get it. Of course, my experience was much different – much less perilous, day-to-day. And yet, we share a common, unspoken bond.
In my opinion, that common bond merits closer inspection…
A Question of Commitment
Clearly, “Restrepo” doesn’t offer easy answers. But what does it teach us about a Soldier’s convictions? Why do warriors choose to fight and die for a cause? And why do they willingly return to battle, again and again?
The movie doesn’t ask these questions directly. But it’s impossible to walk away without wondering about a Soldier’s psyche.
Speaking from my own experience, I think it’s about three kinds of commitment:
- To ideology
- To other Soldiers
- To personal purpose
Commitment to Ideology
Some values transcend life itself. As the Vermont motto says, “Live free or die!” For me, protecting our nation’s core principles is more important than remaining on the planet another day.
Continue reading the rest of this review at Life, Love & Truth.
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