The War on PBS – "A Necessary War"

I am hard-pressed to watch a moment of more emotional film than the original ending of last night’s first episode of “The War” on PBS. Ken Burns tied the desperate situation of our servicemen in the South Pacific to the release of Bing Crosby’s White Christmas in the winter of 1942. I can only imagine, but that song must have touched on their feelings of isolation on Guadalcanal being so far from their families and safety, and at the same time providing comfort and cheer with soothing lyrics reminding them of the joys of their past holidays. The hot, humid climates of the battlefield and the uncertain outcome of their personal situation must have been daunting; knowing what lay ahead was hold-at-all-costs, death or brutal captivity. And yet the song tied to them to their hometowns, a stake of hope in a place of no-end-in-sight.

Part 1 (of 7)