The Movie, "The Lone Survivor" Reminds Me That Freedom Comes With A Price

 Thank You To All The Men And Women That Serve

 Wherever you are when you read this post, brave men and women have fought and died for the freedoms that you enjoy on that land. I enjoyed that freedom last night with my family.

We all gathered around the table at Red Lobster and enjoyed a meal and then my son and I went to the movies to watch "The Lone Survivor", while my daughter and wife went back to the house to get some sleep.

Tristan, my 10 year old son, and I stood in line for quite a while waiting for the theater doors to open and we were not alone. The line started at the theater doors and snaked it's way the full distance to the exit. When we were given a green light we got in there and got the best seats in the house. Right in the middle.

The theater was packed. The movie was spectacular. The realism had me jumping out of my seat to take cover from incoming rockets. The writing gave us enough back story to make us really like the characters before us. We didn't need much back story on Al Qaeda to fill our bellies with anger. There was one scene that showed what it is like to live in an area that is not free but controlled by warlords.

As we watched the seal team in their furious fight to stay alive, it was as if we felt every hit and one that our heroic soldiers took as they fought for their lives. We watched as they comforted their brothers during the worst possible situations. They continued the fight never allowing the enemy to steal their dignity.

I believe this movie is going to be one of the most iconic military history fictional movies of our time. I have seen reviews by writers who question the number of Al Qaeda that were fighting against the four-man seal team. I have read as they questioned the accuracy of the story and it's telling. I have to say that that kind of writing is a load of bull shit. The movie is exciting. The story is enthralling. The cinematography is amazing in that it puts the audience into the action looking down the scope as the enemy is attacking!

I went into a movie theater on a Friday night with the expectation of being entertained. Before I left the theater, I found that I had been taught several lessons.

1. The brotherhood that has the greatest strength can only be forged on the field of battle.
2. Al Qaeda, Nazi Germany, Communist Russia, the warlords of Somalia and the multitude of evil groups of people throughout the world would seek to destroy all that is good and wholesome and right. 
3. The absence of men like Navy SEALs, Army Rangers and special forces, as well as all of those men and women who give up a part of their life to protect our country would allow destruction and chaos to cover the face of the earth.
4. It is because of the Grace of God and the sacrifice of the American soldier that we as Americans can enjoy freedom.

Finally, this movie introduced me to a concept that I had not been aware of before.

That concept is: Pashtunwali (Pashto: پښتونوالی‎) and more specifically Nanawatai (asylum) - this is an ancient tradition of members of the Sabray tribe who took Marcus Luttrell into their village and gave him asylum. The tribal chief protected him, fending off attacking tribes until word was sent to nearby US forces and he could be rescuedokay can.

The way in which the movie portrayed the Sabray tribe as they fought to protect this American who was now a guest of their village, gave the audience a clear understanding that not all Arab people are without honor or should be hated. We found ourselves coming full circle from the thought that the Afghan people were our enemy to the understanding that there are good people in all nationalities and races and religions.

I challenge you, my friends and readers, to show your appreciation to the veterans and military personnel that you come in contact with. You have no idea what their eyes have seen or their hands have done in order to protect your liberty.

The next time you see a soldier in uniform at a restaurant with his family, catch the attention of the waiter and requests that the check of the soldier be delivered to your table. Whatever the cost of that dinner, it is nothing compared to the sacrifice that that soldier has made for your freedom.

Thank you to the American soldier. May God's protection be upon you at all times and His comfort be with you during the difficult ones. May God protect your families while you are away protecting ours.

God bless America!

 G.O.Y.A. and Celebrate the birth of our Savior everyday,

The Fu King Preacher