Memorial Day is a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S military.
The holiday that is commonly seen as just a day off from school or work or an opportunity to score some deals online, was originally established for the country to set aside time to honor the troops who had given their lives in service of America. Over the years, the holiday evolved to commemorate all American military personnel who died in wars including World War II, The Vietnam War, The Korean War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
There are many ways to pay respect on this day, but if you are unsure how, one of the easiest ways is watching and learning from a movie. Here are some of my favorite movies that capture extraordinary and terrifying tales of the horrors of battle and human experiences of courage, selflessness, and sacrifice:
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Following the Normandy Landings, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.
Pearl Harbor (2001)
A tale of war and romance mixed in with history portrays the Japanese military’s surprise attack on the United States Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii on December 7, 1941.
Black Hawk Down (2002)
The film takes place in 1993 when the U.S. sent special forces into Somalia to destabilize the government and bring food and humanitarian aid to the starving population.
The Hurt Locker (2009)
An intense portrayal of elite soldiers who have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world: disarming bombs in the heat of combat.
Act of Valor (2012)
Real-life Navy SEALs star in this explosive thriller that follows an elite platoon as they track a terrorist threat all the way to the U.S. border.
American Sniper (2015)
U.S. Navy SEAL Chris Kyle takes his sole mission of protecting his comrades to heart and becomes one of the most lethal snipers in American history.
13 Hours (2016)
The gripping true story of six elite ex-military operators — assigned to protect the CIA — who fought back against overwhelming odds when terrorists attacked a U.S. diplomatic compound in Benghazi on September 11, 2012.
Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
World War II American Army Medic Desmond T. Doss, who served during the Battle of Okinawa, refuses to kill people and becomes the first man in American history to receive the Medal of Honor without ever firing a shot.
Reminder: All Americans are encouraged to pause for a National Moment of Remembrance or moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.
(Most of these movies can be found on the common streaming apps or are available to rent.)
Everything Andie 
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