VFW News: Superficial or Real?

Dale Dye, retired Marine caption, is the founder of the technical advisory firm “Warriors Inc”.

Before that he served three tours in Vietnam, making it a total of 20 years in the service.

Upon deployment, he felt at loose ends, realizing he’d always been a fan of movies especially military movies. The decision was made and Dye headed to Hollywood, not to be a star, but to qualify the reality of the military movies, not glorify them.

As the saying ‘ignorance is bliss’, Dye soon found out he had a lot to learn and tackled it head-on by reading and learning show biz language. He convinced Oliver Stone to allow him to work with actors by breaking them down and building them back military style. That movie was Platoon which won four Academy Awards, including best picture and best director for Stone.

From there on, Dye continued his meticulous research and work allowing him to be ready to train any outfit, any period, and any service.

Dye feels it is owed to our brothers and sisters who have served in combat to show what they actually lived through while serving in the military.. To quote Dye he stated “if we don’t adhere to that accuracy, then their story gets shabbily told, partially told or never told at all. That’s a disservice I will not allow.”

So, when you settle in with popcorn and a drink ready to watch a combat movie, you might be watching one Dye worked on to make it as realistic as possible such as in The Last of the Mohicans when Dye painted basketballs to stand in for mortar shells. Does this make you want to rent the movie and see the ‘mortar shells’?

Born on the Fourth of July was music written and performed by two Vietnam vets, and Dye set the mood for the actors. Other movies Dye has worked on are Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, Tropic Thunder and Starship Troopers.

(Information taken from AARP magazine)

Now, to get back in the saddle for a little of April before heading into May.

April is the Month of the Military Child, Purple Up Day is April 12 in the US. This is a time to applaud the military children in their accomplishments in whatever field they play a role in. Military children bear the weight of being ‘man of the house’ while Dad is off serving and being "chef of the house," while Mom is serving. They are often uprooted from newly formed friendships when transfers happen, facing different schools, countries and language.

April 5 is Gold Star Spouses Day, giving a thank you to all Gold Star Spouses and loved ones lost or injured during service to our country. This day serves as recognition of the sacrifice made by military spouses, appreciation day for those who are sometimes overlooked for their support and service to their country. We, as citizens of the United States, salute all Gold Star Spouses and the loved ones they lost for their service to our country.

Moving into May is the Month of the Military Caregiver and unless you are a family living this you’ve no idea the joy and heartbreak it causes. To have a loved one return home facing months of rehabilitation, fitting prosthesis, learning how to use them, encouraging the spouse to forge ahead, perhaps learn a new trade, go back to school, whatever it takes to create a life again. The Month of the Military Caregiver is observed in May each year to honor more than five million caregivers in the United States. Paying tribute to the people who care for more than two million veterans is an important part of supporting troops and military families.

On October 1, 1962, U.S. President John F. Kennedy signed Public Law 87-726, a joint resolution of the 87th Congress, designating May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of federal, state, and municipal peace officers who have been killed or disabled in the line of duty. Each year, the calendar week in which May 15 falls is called Police Week. And, further in 1994 U.S. President William J. Clinton signed Public Law 103-322, a Joint Resolution of the 103rd Congress, directing that the U.S. flag be flown at half-staff on all government buildings on May 25.

Memorial Day comes marching in on the heels to close out May. Arlington Cemetery, to date, home to more than 400,000 military personnel and families is an awesome site with the white crosses lined up as far as you can see. It literally takes your breath away and to be there during a funeral procession is more so. [if visiting the area, try to see the moonlight on the crosses, it’s guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes]. Arlington Cemetery is home to the Argonne Cross, residing in Section 18. It commemorates the 1918 Meuss-Argonne Offensive which helped conclude World War 1 with a cost of more than 26,000 lives and over 120,000 casualties.

In 1921, the Argonne Unit American Womens' Legion petitioned the War Department to place a marble cross in Section 18 to honor the soldiers’ memory.

The cross was dedicated on November 13, 1923, standing on the southwestern edge of the cemetery. A grove of 19 pine trees surrounds its north, west, and south sides symbolizing the Argonne Forest where so many lost their lives. The inscription on the east on the base reads: “In memory of our men in France 1917-1918”. The west side is “Erected through the efforts of Argonne Unit American Women's Legion.