Make Peace or Die: Honor the Fallen

I recently watched "Make Peace or Die." First, I'm very surprised that I'm the first to leave a user review. As a nation still grappling with its most recent wars on the big-picture, foreign policy level, this documentary narrows in one unit. It recounts the lives of 17 Marines of the 1st Battalion 5th Marines killed over the summer of 2011. This is an in-your-face, unflinching look at the results of war from the most personal level--the surviving families. One of the battalion's Marines Anthony Marquez carved a beautiful, life-size battlefield cross for each of the families. Now, 10 years after those 17 deaths, Marquez revisits each family. The gut-punch of each visit is palatable. The families' pain is as raw 10 years later as it was the day Marine Casualty Officers delivered the terrible news. Later in the doc, there is an additional shock that is unbelievably moving. I'm not revealing it. I encourage everyone-especially those who do NOT have family serving in the military-to understand what the depth of that service means. This is a beautifully done doc that handles a lot of issues within its short 90 minutes. You won't regret watching it. It'll stay with you a long time.

Through God's guidance I was watching Antique Roadshow, which I never watch ! Coming up next, stay tuned for Independent Lens, Make Peace or Die. Being a Vietnam vet, this caught my attention. This is not a make a believe film. How is this documentary not more well known ? Anthony is being guided in his journey to recover himself from intense combat. Anthony finds his medicine in helping his fallen combat brother's families through extremely tough emotional times. Seventeen Gold Star families are affected by the loss of their young son's KIA in battle. Anthony is their connection. The camera lens will connect each of us as viewers with the families of the fallen through Anthony.

As a trauma therapist who serves Veterans as well as a USMC mother and daughter, this piece was beautiful. Raw, vulnerable tribute to those who were lost and for those trying to find their way back.

To Anthony: Thank you for sharing this piece of you. The piece that likely consumes you more than you wish. Please know you are not alone and keep reminding others and those Gold Star families that they aren't either. I encourage you to look in to how trauma effects our physical health. I wish you the best on your journey to healing.

I hope you kee0 sharing that journey and send strength for it. Semper Fi.