The United States has not always held the same respect for
its fallen that it has today. Up until the Civil War, soldiers were buried
where they fell, and, unless they had some sort of ID on them, they were
unidentified. Slowly, our respect for our fallen countryman has grown. Perhaps it is because we understand, that instead
of fighting in a royal army, named after a monarch, our soldiers fight as the
United States of America. And America is all of us. We the People send our
young men off into war to protect us and our liberties.
Many give the ultimate sacrifice so that we may stay free. It is their right to
come home; they have given the ultimate sacrifice. They have payed for that
right with their lives. Now it is our responsibility to ensure that they
receive that right. It is our responsibility to give our war dead an honored
welcome home. We are one of the only nations in the world that feels this
responsibility. The United States follows honors this responsibility in
numerous ways. Today, the Joint Mortuary Affairs Command (JMAC) brings home the
dead just a day or two after they have fallen. The Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command
(JPAC) brings home the fallen from past
wars. It is in this way that our nation honors the dead, and brings them home.
It is their right, and our responsibility.
So that is my NHD project for this year! I am wrapping up my research, and will begin making the documentary before long. I have several major interviews coming up that I'm really excited about! Once I finish competition, I will post the documentary here. I will continue to post updates as I continue to work! Thanks for reading everyone!
JM
