It is Memorial Day weekend and that means it's a time to remember the brave men and women who have sacrificed their lives while in service to this great country, the United States of America.
While Memorial Day weekend is packed with great sales, fun barbecues, and an excuse to hit the beach, it is more importantly a day of remembrance for the people who have given up their freedoms so that Americans can enjoy theirs.
Here are a list of movies, covering everything from true stories to showing the effects of war on both the soldiers and their families, all of which will make you appreciate the many sacrifices of our armed forces.
1. American Sniper
Starring Bradley Cooper and directed by Clint Eastwood, this is a true story about Navy S.E.A.L. sniper, Chris Kyle. It was released in 2015 and is rated R for its violence and language.
2. Saving Private Ryan
Directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, and more, this film is set in the invasion of Normandy, WWII. It was released in 1998 and is rated R for its graphic depiction of war.
3. Flags of Our Fathers
Based on the book of the same title, this movie was directed and co-produced by Clint Eastwood. It tells the story of the five Marines and one Navy Corpsman who were involved in raising the flag on Iwo Jima, and how their lives were effected after those events. The movie was released in 2006 and is rated R.
4. Zero Dark Thirty
A 2012 film following the decade-long hunt for Osama bin Laden after the 9/11 attacks. It shows the military raid carried out by Navy S.E.A.L.s Team 6 that resulted in bin Laden's death. This movie is rated R.
5. Lone Survivor
This is a biographical war film based on the non-fiction book of the same name. It is set during the war in Afghanistan and shows the unsuccessful Operation Red Wings mission. The movie was released in 2013 and is rated R.
6. 13 Hours
Based on the book of the same name, this is a biographical war film. Also known as 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, this film follows six security team members who fight to protect the U.S. compound in Libya. It was released in 2016 and is rated R.
7. Band of Brothers
This is a 2001 HBO mini-series based on a non-fiction book of the same name. All of the characters portrayed are based on the members of the Easy Company (part of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division) and the series follows their mission in WWII Europe from Operation Overlord through V-J Day.
8. Black Hawk Down
Based off the non-fiction book of the same name, this film follows an elite group of American Rangers and Delta Force soldiers who are sent to Somalia on a critical mission but end up having to fight for their lives.
9. Jarhead
Based on U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford’s memoir of the same name, this film is a biographical war drama. Released in 2005, this movie is rated R.
10. Max
A story about Malinois dog that helped American Marines in Afghanistan. His keeper died in battle sending Max back to the United States. After suffering a traumatic experience, Max is only calm around his handler's family. This film is rated PG so it is good for the whole family to watch.
Thank you to all of the brave men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us.
