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Sunday, May 30, 2010

Memorial Day

Last night Husband and I watched a fantastic classic, "The Best Years Of Our Lives."  Made in 1946, starring Dana Andrews, Fredric March and Myrna Loy, it deals with returning WWII veterans trying to readjust to their old civilian lives.  There is also a very poignant performance done by a man who, prior to this movie, had never acted before in his life.....Harold Russell.

Mr. Russell was an actual veteran who had lost both his hands in the course of duty, and had learned to use prosthetic hooks to manage those everyday tasks we take for granted.  The director, William Wyler, had seen Mr. Russell in an Army film that featured different veterans, and thought he would be perfect for the part of Homer Parrish.

Homer returns home to find his family doesn't know how to react to his disability, which causes him to push away his fiance, Wilma, thinking she won't want to marry him now.  She tries to tell him she wants to marry him anyway....the following scene from the movie Homer shows Wilma just what they'd be up against, to see if she can handle it.  Wilma handles it beautifully.


True love doesn't let disabilities get in the way!

If you've never seen the movie and wish to watch it, I believe someone has uploaded it to YouTube in 10 minute increments. 

Two of my dad's older brothers, Charles and Clyde, both served in WWII.  Some photos from the family album:








And, a telegram sent from Clyde to the family back at home in Nebraska:



Have a great weekend, and remember to honor those veterans of all wars who fought to give us the freedom we know today.


7 comments:

  1. I love that movie! Great pictures!

    MaryD

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  2. I cannot NOT watch that movie when it's on -- it just tears me up -- ALL of it...Ginger looked like she was smashing that burger in her face...gotta love a girl who had a malt and shake bar in her den!

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  3. Lovely post. Thanks for showing us the old photos, too. Will try to watch the movie soon.

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  4. I started to watch it - but it was making me way to sad! I may have to watch it with a cheerful movie as a chaser!

    iamemmamusic.blogspot.com

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  5. PS: Can't find your email... Just wanted to say thank you for your get well and birthday wishes.

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  6. Ya make that flick sound so good... guess I'll see if Netflix has this one in stock!!

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  7. Oh, I watched that movie years ago and loved it so much that I purchased it! Thank you for the reminder, maybe I'll pop it in the player on the 4th of July.

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