22: The Unforgotten Soldier

Sam Medina set out to bring light to what soldiers and Veterans deal with internally after they come home and he went way above and beyond to show this. The cast featured a lot of veterans and it is certainly an emotional look deeper into the mental toll a lot of veterans face that most people never see.

Anyone who has been in one of those uniforms will be able to relate to the characters. Sam set himself apart from other war or military films because he decided to look beyond the guns blazing, explosive war stories and get into the reason why so many Active duty soldiers and Veterans feel lost when they come home.

As a Retired US Marine with diagnosed Combat PTSD ... I was reluctant for weeks to watch this film. Not because I didn't think it would be a good watch; but because it's oftentimes difficult for us combat veterans to watch such films, movies/documentaries.

Please forgive me as my review may appear as ramblings; I assure you the following notes were written as I was stopping and starting (studying) the film. A few of the film's statements appear in quotations.

Sitting in my apartment with my heat set at 74 degrees (I live in Buffalo, New York and it's February). 1st few minutes watching I literally got cold chills!! Actual cold shaking emotional chills. Had to stop & start film several times.

In terms of suicidal thoughts/attempts I've been there. Twice!! I won't give details.

This film will certainly serve to help combat the negative stigma of Military Combat PTSD

I started crying; really shedding tears at the statement "This is my reality."

The section about DISCIPLINE !!! 100 percent accuracy

"Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome; Marine!"

"Something to strive for"

They speak about "getting help"! Believe me when I tell you ... that's much easier said than done. For multiple reasons. MOST times; Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Therapists; although they mean well, have absolutely NO clue about what we've experienced or continue to experience. And it further drives us away from such "help". I'd welcome sharing more on this.

The stigma!!! The stigma is one of the main reasons for the difficulties. Not seeking help. Once diagnosed ... in most instances it ruins your life more. Then we are FORCED to fight even more against a "system" which begs us to come to them for help!! Only those who actually suffer from Combat PTSD can understand fully.

When the guy said, "We signed up for two wars. The war there ... and the war back home." That hits hard and honestly.

The "Nerve Damage" scene!

"Single minded willingness to put our duty before ourselves."

"The fight's not over."

"Is it me or does life have a funny way of "phuking" with you?" (paraphrased)

"We usually take it to our graves."

Susan Gallagher as Mary, "He hides it well. That's what soldiers do. They go overseas; and they do what they do. And when they return they're never the same."

And there are a couple scenes I simply can not comment on. Too emotional. Too close to home. Too triggering

I can't recall a film which has made me so emotional and more focused to keep going simultaneously than this one. Kudos to everyone involved. All Cast & Crew. Producers, Directors, Writers, etc. Special thanks to Susan Gallagher who constantly brought "22 The Unforgotten Soldier" to my attention by her constant postings.

The combat scenes ...

The group therapy scene ...

The church scene when Daniel was speaking about his Mother's death.

*side note My Mother actually saved my life from the grave back in 2017 with an Epic conversation with God & Jesus

"It isn't hard for men like me and you to die. It's the will to live that's is difficult."

Seeking help is hard; especially when seeking it for ourselves. However; when we recognize it's about the people we love; we're better able to seek help!!

We bottle things in because it's oftentimes detrimental to our financial, emotional, mental, and social wellbeing to release the lid off the jar.

Films like this can go a long way in Preventing the "22 Suicides A Day" because it gives civilians and non-military a better understanding ... a better perspective. More can be done.

As a Retired US Marine Veteran and SAG-AFTRA Actor I'd welcome being a consultant on followup films

The boxing, workout scenes ... My therapy is My Dungeon (my weight room)

Y'all have absolutely noooo idea how the statements "Semper Fi Marine. OohRah" affects us with such Pride and Humility. Thank You for including it at the 1:43:00 mark towards the end of the film.

Thanks for the selfless service of all of my fellow Military Veterans and a Special Semper Fi to all of my Brothers & Sisters of The United States Marine Corps!!!

I'll be recommending "22 The Unforgotten Soldier" to my Military Veterans & Friends.

OOHRAH.

Fantastic movie with a very important message - a must-see for everyone! The acting, cinematography, storyline, music, props, etc are all well-done and there's no gratuitous violence, yet the physical and emotional devastation of the horror of war is strongly conveyed and the viewer shares in the reality of the characters. We get an inkling of what they go through. We learn that so many of our fellow citizens are going through life in great pain, continuing to sacrifice for their country everyday, long after active duty ends. At the grocery store and gas station in our own day-to-day lives, we may see men and women in uniform and say "thank you for your service". If only we could see the "invisible uniforms" and the hidden wounds and scars of our veterans! To all of them, we need to offer our support and gratitude for their service and open our eyes to their agony. "The Unforgotten Soldier" does exactly this; it should be played in schools and colleges, community centers, houses of worship, everywhere.

This movie is an emotional eye-opener to the struggles that Veterans face once they return home. I can honestly say before this movie, I had no idea the statistic of veteran suicide was 22 a day. I think this movie does a good job of showing the various physical and internal struggles Veterans face when they come home. The film also showcases 95% REAL veterans, that for me just made the impact of what I heard and saw hit that much harder. I think everyone can learn something from this film. I know I sure have. Veterans deserve our respect, compassion, support, and gratitude. Their service is one that comes with the highest sacrifice of self. Any veteran reading this THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart.

This movie spans two generations of war veterans (Vietnam and GWOT) and draws on powerful emotions to deliver a message that while the path to recovering from the scars from war are long, it is a path and a journey that doesn't have to be navigated alone. This film shows what they truly have to go through and how the war follows them home. The mental and physical struggles that not only affects the soldiers, but their personal relationships and overall quality of life. This film is unique in the way it portrays these dynamics, and sets its self up to really be able to help struggling Veterans.