Saving Private Ryan
Dear Madam,
I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln
This is how Abraham Lincoln wrote to a mother of five whose all sons died in war; a historical letter expressing condolences. A tragedy and a letter both part of the history but with terrific blend of patriotism, emotion, sensitivity and above all showing us what Abraham Lincoln, the leader, was. Today from the podium of the memorial service organized to pay tribute to those who died in the 9/11 terror attack on world trade centre, read Gorge Bush, the same letter. He was then the President when attack took place. The service was attended by Obama and Bush. Thousands mourned the lost dear ones. Hundreds died in the attack that shook the world and changed the way, the only super power was looking at the terrorism. That one incident took the terror, which America had no inhibitions in sponsoring for her own interests, directly at her door, which the Americans considered safest place in the world.
The letter read by Bush and written by Lincoln was the inspiration behind the fantastic movie Saving Private Ryan by Spielberg. A classic war film takes us very close to the horror the war is and men of great character. Coming across the news of death of three brothers, the general there reads the same letter. The mission to save the fourth, Private Ryan, starts, led by Captain Miller. A super movie moves us inward. Private Ryan survives but Miller and his team lay down their lives. While dying Miller says to Ryan “…. earn this. Earn it.”
Many civilians died in the 9/11 terror attack, and also fire fighters, security officers. Mr. Bush could not find words more apt than in the letters to express the bereavement, simultaneously inducing the patriotic fervor. Ten years on, the images of plane crashing on the world trade centre still evoke terror in America. Remember there hasn’t been a major attack on American soil in these years. What about us? We continue to have attacks, blasts leaving behind the trail of blood and agony. We also have gallant men fighting for the country, putting country first and own life last. There are many examples of young men of twenty three, twenty four making supreme sacrifice for all of us like Capt. Punit Dutta, Captain Vikram Batra,……….. What their bereaved family gets in return, frustration, pain and looking at the scenario in the country a huge hurt with a question, is this what my son died for?
The historical mother in USA lost all five sons. Our history is replete with stories of mothers happily sending sons to fight for the country but the question is not how many sons a mother has lost in the war? The question is not how many sons of a mother are in the armed forces? The question is not how many young men are willing to join army? The question is not of saving the only surviving Ryan as in the movie? The question is are we sensitive enough to understand the sacrifice they are making for us? Question is, is our system giving what is due to them? The question is, are we making this country, for which they died, a better place to live? Do we care for their sacrifice? They have given us life, are we ready to earn it?
These men are different. They are exceptional. At a time when they could have enjoyed all the luxuries of life, they willing adopted a life dangerous and tough, to defend our country. What we all forget is none of them ever thought of what there their sacrifice would be worth to people of India, they simply did it, we forgot it only to be remembered occasionally. These men are a class apart. They will always do it for us in the highest tradition of our armed forces. They are highly motivated men. They will never bother about their welfare.
Abraham Lincoln himself wrote the letter of condolence, the General in Saving Private Ryan did not want to write one so he had a mission to save the lone survivor. Pain of losing a son or sons is beyond words. Why wait for few deaths and then try to save the alive? Why can’t we try for a world that prevents further occurrences of letters like this? Why should a mother lose a son? Question is not whether we succeed, it is do we have a frame of mind suitable to it? Do we easily take an emotional ride owing to rhetoric of our leaders? We are in debt of these men and their families, are we ready to accept this honestly? Come an enemy these men will fight but can we make their families proud looking at the state of the country that the sacrifice of their son hasn’t gone in vain?
Are we going to try to save our own Ryans without waiting for loss of brothers?
Losing five sons is a terrible loss.
Is losing the only son any less?
The image of Major Sandeep Unnikrishnan struck my mind.
I could see nothing afterwards………
Sir what can I say?????????????
ReplyDeleteI am speetchless.
The way you joined the movie the letter and the current scenario............
I think you played roles of film critic, social man And political Critic simelteniously.
I simply say in our language
BHATTI CHHAN JAMALI AHE.
too awesome...Sir, its d best from urside..!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Karan. Its so nice of you. Keep reading and commenting.
ReplyDeletewe should share our knowledge to others then only it will come to know to each other....
ReplyDeleteGood one and I personally support your diary.....
in one word wow!!!!
ReplyDeleteawsomely brilliant.
gr8!
ReplyDeletedear sir,
ReplyDeletei just remembered a poem which gives adrenaline rush.
i m sharing that with u!!!!
When all is said and done, have you done or said enough?
Have you just gone along for the ride,
Or have you steered destiny's hot rod?
When you leave this world did you make it any better than it was when you arrived?
all you need is all you've got; your wits and the clothes on your back, your epitaph is yours to earn, your legacy is yours to make
Go Forth
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arun_Khetarpal
ReplyDeleteARUN KHETARPAL ws just 22 yrs old when he fought for saving nation's territorial boundaries during '71 bangladesh war.
at 22,when most ppl wont think other than themselves,
he ws a man who @ 22 did something which is truely incredible nd which can b a testimony of his real true love for country.
unlike us,
who seem to hv forgotten our duties towards our nation.
we want every possible right,but as far as responsibilities are concerned we shy away from them.
the reason why i feel we are nt AMERICA even after 60+ years of independence is,
we dont want to b good.
we r afraid to get out of our comfort zone.
and comfort zone as they say comfortably stunts our growth nd what we do is sit back and blame.
i think its getting too big!!!!
the gist of all is that,
i nd all like us shoud jot down these things on the slate of our mind nd work accordingly!!!
hope we cn prevent such things in future nd save all the ryans!!!!
Thank you Sarang.
ReplyDeleteThe poem is very good, highly motivating.
It is so nice that you at 19-20 think with so much of maturity, with lot of introspection. India needs young men like you who think differently, who know what they need to do without waiting for others to do. Keep it up.
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteIt is very well Written without any doubt. I wont call it your best, as I have read better articles from you. This particular article brings out a lot of emotions. This tells two very distinct treatment to heroes. One it describes the society that we are living in, where we dont valour our heroes the way we should.
It tells us how a country becomes great. Americans give more value to American lives than we do. The way whole of America stands behind it heroes, we never do.
This article also tells a very important point. We have a short memory. And we need to be reminded from every now and then about our heroes to inspire us.
I hope I would have come close to your thoughts. But this articles throws a lot of things to be concluded from.
It is an excellent article Sir.
Dear Sir,
ReplyDeleteI have seen this movie like 20 times and is one of my fav..but i never thought the way u did...made me think n rethink...
Brilliant..
Regards
Shiwani