Today is Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor those who have served in the armed forces. My father, pictured right, served in the Marine Corps in WWII.

From President Bush's proclamation: (My emphasis)

From the fields and forests of war-torn Europe to the jungles of Southeast Asia, from the deserts of Iraq to the mountains of Afghanistan, brave patriots have protected our Nation's ideals, rescued millions from tyranny, and helped spread freedom around the globe. America's veterans answered the call when asked to protect our Nation from some of the most brutal and ruthless tyrants, terrorists, and militaries the world has ever known. They stood tall in the face of grave danger and enabled our Nation to become the greatest force for freedom in human history. ...
 
Our country is forever indebted to our veterans for their quiet courage and exemplary service. We also remember and honor those who laid down their lives in freedom's defense. These brave men and women made the ultimate sacrifice for our benefit. On Veterans Day, we remember these heroes for their valor, their loyalty, and their dedication. Their selfless sacrifices continue to inspire us today as we work to advance peace and extend freedom around the world.

If you want to know what that kind of valor looks like, Talk show host Mark Levin spoke to Sgt. Josh, an American soldier in Afghanistan last night. Listen to this clip from 11/10 (it is at the 66:45 mark toward the end.)

Sgt. Josh's life was saved by a fellow soldier, Sgt. Brandon Zizala, who gave his life in the process. Sgt. Josh retold the incident that while fighting the Taliban, al-Qaeda fighters, Zizala saved his life. Sgt. Brandon Zizala has since been awarded the Silver Star posthumously for his bravery.

Sgt. Josh also told of another buddy who was injured and given the option to return home. His buddy chose instead to return to Afghanistan. The Commander in Chief-elect described Americas presence in Afghanistan much differently. I think it will be difficult for some of our troops to serve the new commander, but being the honorable men and women they are, they will.

Our Veterans deserve our thanks. Our current troops need our prayers too. I have a few on my list that I try to pray for every day. Some I know, some I have never met. During the presidential campaign I added 3: Sarah Palin's son Track, John McCain's son Jimmy, and Joe Biden's son Beau to my list. I pray for their protection, that they would have wisdom to act honorably and recognize danger, and that God would draw them to Himself and keep them spiritually strong. 

A thank you and prayer do not cost us anything, yet those two things could make a difference to our soldiers.

You might celebrate the day by watching a movie about America's fighting forces. These are just a few of my favorites: Glory- Civil War,  Sergeant York-WWI,  The Lost Battalion- also WWI (warning, great story, but very bloody), and The Tuskegee Airmen- WWII. All great stories about incredible men, available at the library. 

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I saw An American Carol on its debut, Friday, Oct. 3. Usually I wait for a movie to hit the Budget Theater, but with these more offbeat type films, often you better see them when you can. (Same thing happened with the movie, Expelled. It just came out on DVD in case you missed that one.)

The movie had some very funny lines, bits, and situations, but also contained some real points to ponder. Actor Leslie Nielsen plays a grandfather of a Navy man, the Bob Cratchit of the story, who is about to ship out to the Persian Gulf. The Navy man's uncle is the Michael Moore-like character, Michael Malone--the Scrooge.

During a 4th of July picnic, Grandpa Leslie Nielsen's grandchildren beg him for a story. He then tells them the American Carol story, how, anti-American Michael Malone (Scrooge) tried to abolish the 4th of July. (Malone cannot abide that holiday because it celebrates our war of independence, and he is a pacifist at any cost.) There is also a little of It's a Wonderful Life mixed in, where Michael sees what would have happened if President Lincoln had been a pacifist too.

Jacob Marley's ghost is John F. Kennedy. (If you remember, Director David Zucker was a Kennedy Democrat.) Kennedy comes out of the TV and scolds Michael for not listening to his inaugural address where he promises to stand by any country seeking liberty. 

There are also many funny scenes that involve the terrorists, who are plotting to blow up Michael Malone's anti 4th of July rally. (If you can call terrorists funny.) 

The same terrorist who said suicide bombers were getting harder to find because all the good ones were gone also said something about illegal immigrants: We need the Mexicans to do the jobs the Tali ban won't! (The audience roared at that one.)

The terrorists were searching for a movie director who hated America. Searching for a director who hates America? This won't be hard, all American directors hate America. Hollywood is full of them!

(Well, there is David Zucker, Stranger in a strange land: A conservative in Hollywood.)

Christians were to blame for all the world's ills too in some spoof bits, showing how Christians are the only group in a tolerant society that liberals won't tolerate. (How true.) 

There were times the movie was hokey and moved a little slowly, but overall, the message was very good. Zucker even got in a dig at the snobbish, anti-American stance of college educators. How they are really still stuck in the anti-American, anti-war era of 1968. (This is really true. Most teachers on college campuses, especially in the subjects of sociology and history are spewing anti-American garbage ala Professor Bill Ayers (terrorist) at University of Chicago...but that is another blog.)

There were other times when the movie was very touching and made you appreciate the sacrifice others have made for our country to give us the gift of Democracy and freedom.

The PG-13 rating was well earned. While there were no granddaddies of swear words, if you catch my drift, there were the usual crude substitutions for manure and calling people another word for donkey. There also was a situation that would imply gay sex in a men's room, but it wasn't. Some children wouldn't get the implication. Another caution was there was some violence that was treated as humorous. Overall, most teens are exposed to this type of thing in movies all the time if you allow them to see PG-13 fare.

Since the overall message is good and gives an appreciation of history, I would still recommend the movie for teens. BUT, if you are in doubt, I would advise that you see it yourself first before allowing your teen to see it.

An American Carol came in 9th in box office terms, taking in $3.7 million. Best of all, it beat out Bill Maher's anti Christian movie!  

So, how did a liberal Democrat become a conservative? The Weekly Standard's Hollywood Takes on the Left walks you through Director David Zucker's political journey. 

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I went to school with the Zucker brothers. Jerry was in my class; David was 2, maybe 3 years ahead. Although I really did not know them, I remember they were funny even back then.

You may be familiar with David Zucker's work from the 1980s movie Airplane. He and fellow Shorewood grad. Jim Abrahams wrote and directed that movie The rest as they say is history. 

This Friday, An American Carol opens in theaters. It is the creation of David Zucker and is a spoof on Dicken's Christmas Carol.

This time instead of Ebenezer Scrooge, we have an "Anti-American 'Hollywood' filmmaker" (ala Michael Moore) who "sets out on a crusade to abolish the 4th of July holiday. He is visited by three spirits who take him on a hilarious journey in an attempt to show him the true meaning of America." It looks like John Voight portrays George Washington, one of the 3 ghosts.   

I had first heard about the film on Vicki McKenna's radio program a month ago. It captured my attention when she said that David Zucker, who called himself a John F. Kennedy Democrat became a 9/11 Republican after the terrorist attacks.  

American Carol is a Zucker look at American history. One funny bit from the trailer went something like this: A a terrorist saying that good suicide bombers were getting hard to find--all the good ones are gone!

I don't usually go see movies until they hit the budget theater, but I just might have to make an exception. If I do, I will post my impressions of it, because a lot of the Zucker movies are not suitable for children or even teens. They usually push the envelope if you are a conservative parent.

PS Last July, John Voight wrote an editorial for the Washington Times: VOIGHT: My concerns for America  If you have not read it, take a look.

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The movie, FIREPROOF opens today at 2 area theaters. From the previews, it sounds like a must see for any married couple, and probably would set a good foundation for anyone getting married too."FIREPROOF is the third feature film from Sherwood Pictures--the creators of FACING THE GIANTS and FLYWHEEL."

This is a low-budget film, but the story looks good. Kirk Cameron stars as a firefighter whose marriage is in serious trouble. His father challenges him to the "love dare" for 40 days. A firefighter friend encourages Kirk to work to save his marriage saying you go into a burning building to rescue a total stranger but you won't try to rescue your own marriage? After all, a firefighter's motto is that you never leave your partner behind.

I heard about the movie from a homeschool friend of mine that is going into full time service with Family Life ministry, an organization set up to help strengthen marriages and families. 

Interestingly, the Pope issued a statement today about troubled marriages too. With the help of God, marriage crises can be overcome

Vatican City, Sep 26, 2008 / 10:24 am (CNA).- Meeting with participants of the Retrouvaille Association, Pope Benedict XVI explained that when a marriage is suffering, the spouses are facing an opportunity that "will help them to grow." Guided by Mary* and with the help of the Lord, their love will be purified, deepened and strengthened.

Is your marriage FIREPROOF? The movie opens at the Ridge in New Berlin and the Menomonee Falls 18 today.

What do you have to lose? 

*Although I am not Catholic, I do agree with the Pope that the Lord will help those seeking to improve their marriage.

Don't forget, the Civil War weekend at the Wade House  

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