In the hospital when Ron freaks out at the nurses and they don't have the right pump for his leg, the doctor explains to him, "Cutbacks.  The government's just not giving us the money we need to take care of you guys." According to what we learned in the lecture, '''this would have been accurate, and the possibility that someone like Ron could lose his leg because of those cutbacks was real.''' -Whitney Holcomb

In the hospital when Ron freaks out at the nurses and they don't have the right pump for his leg, the doctor explains to him, "Cutbacks.  The government's just not giving us the money we need to take care of you guys." According to what we learned in the lecture, '''this would have been accurate, and the possibility that someone like Ron could lose his leg because of those cutbacks was real.''' -Whitney Holcomb

I was surprised with how much this movie was able to accurately portray.  You really see how hard it was for the Vets to return to the states with little to no support from their country and all of the stresses from war.  Most of them were druggies or, like Ron, alcoholics.  You also see how crappy the hospitals were and how little funding they received from the federal government.  I know we learned in class that it was much less than post-WWII America but the movie really made it real how few doctors there were and how just, disgusting the hospitals actually were.  I was NOT prepared for the bedpans and the vomit.  That was unnecessary. -Kelly Wuyscik

I was surprised with how much this movie was able to accurately portray.  '''You really see how hard it was for the Vets to return to the states with little to no support from their country and all of the stresses from war.''' Most of them were druggies or, like Ron, alcoholics.  You also see how crappy the hospitals were and how little funding they received from the federal government.  I know we learned in class that it was much less than post-WWII America but the movie really made it real how few doctors there were and how just, disgusting the hospitals actually were.  '''I was NOT prepared for the bedpans and the vomit.  That was unnecessary.''' -Kelly Wuyscik

I also really liked how well the film showed the difficulty discerning guys in your own troops and the members of the Vietcong. It really amplified how stressful and chaotic the setting was over in Vietnam and how frequently new guys were being added or sent home from American troops. -Kelly Wuyscik

I also really liked how well the film showed the difficulty discerning guys in your own troops and the members of the Vietcong. It really amplified how stressful and chaotic the setting was over in Vietnam and how frequently new guys were being added or sent home from American troops. -Kelly Wuyscik

Unfortunately, much of the hospital horror that occurred in the film has happened as recently as last year. Those of us from the DC area will likely remember the extensive coverage of the neglect scandal at Walter Reed Army Medical Center that the Washington Post covered extensively. Red tape, rat and cockroach infestations, mold, all occurring at the US Army's flagship east coast medical center. It was accurate then, it is accurate now. -Cash Nelson

'''Unfortunately, much of the hospital horror that occurred in the film has happened as recently as last year.''' Those of us from the DC area will likely remember the extensive coverage of the neglect scandal at Walter Reed Army Medical Center that the Washington Post covered extensively. Red tape, rat and cockroach infestations, mold, all occurring at the US Army's flagship east coast medical center. It was accurate then, it is accurate now. -Cash Nelson

Whether veterans were disabled or suffering from PTSD, the readjustment to a country at war with itself had to leave any veteran feeling lost in the shuffle (at best). I think this movie conveys the disillusionment of the Vietnam era well. Kovic is a guy who went from “love it or leave” it to “politicians are rapists and thieves”. His story resonates because it was not uncommon, and sadly not unjustified. -Jason Ward

Whether veterans were disabled or suffering from PTSD, the readjustment to a country at war with itself had to leave any veteran feeling lost in the shuffle (at best). I think this movie '''conveys the disillusionment of the Vietnam era well.''' Kovic is a guy who went from “love it or leave” it to “politicians are rapists and thieves”. His story resonates because it was not uncommon, and sadly not unjustified. -Jason Ward

The difference in the two 4th of July parades accurately displays the differing views of the American people. When the WWII veterans returned home, hundreds of people were lining the streets, cheering, clapping, and holding American flags. When Ron is being driven through the parade the people lining the streets are jeering and giving him the figure. It shows the very different reactions of the American people to these two wars. One war they supported (WWII), the other they did not (Vietnam). Also, during the first parade when the fireworks/gun shots(?) are fired the veteran is startled and flinches and young Ron takes notice of that; this is exactly what happens to Ron during the parade, he flinches when he hears that gun shot sound. These are two examples of the PTSD the soldiers experienced that affected them in their everyday life.  --Mallory C.

The difference in the two 4th of July parades accurately displays the differing views of the American people. When the WWII veterans returned home, hundreds of people were lining the streets, cheering, clapping, and holding American flags. When Ron is being driven through the parade the people lining the streets are jeering and giving him the figure. It shows the very different reactions of the American people to these two wars. One war they supported (WWII), the other they did not (Vietnam). '''Also, during the first parade when the fireworks/gun shots(?) are fired the veteran is startled and flinches and young Ron takes notice of that; this is exactly what happens to Ron during the parade, he flinches when he hears that gun shot sound. These are two examples of the PTSD the soldiers experienced that affected them in their everyday life.''' --Mallory C.