Fighting for Life

My husband and I just saw this at a special screening in Salt Lake City. We hear every time there is a milestone in the number of deaths in Iraq but when was the last time we heard about the number of casualties? It's amazing to me what these brave people are going through everyday. It's amazing how how much medical care is being provided generously by the personnel there, in Germany and the US. This is a film that should be shown in every high school and college. It shows what the reality is of this on-going war. My congratulations to the film makers and those medical and military personnel who participated in this endeavor. Thank you for all of your service.

This film tells a very real story, one that has occurred for thousands of severely injured service members, tens of thousands of military and VA healthcare providers, and hundreds of thousands of other service members and their families.

As a USUHS graduate, I know that the training was as tough as USUHS could make it, but that tragically, it was very well done -- in ways that the past >10 years of war have proved, and as depicted in this stunning masterpiece film.

Every American, every elected official, and every lover of peace and democracy should watch the film, to witness the sacrifices that some have made in the name of liberty and safety from terrorism. The price paid by some will continue for at least two more generations, as these wounded families all over the world continue to heal.

Military medicine -- it's a breed apart from most other medical practice in gore, urgency, and sheer intensity. That's the message this film conveys. That and the need to train up doctors and nurses who are ready, willing, and able to deal with the stress. Do your Harvard doctors train to handle a mass casualty event in the dark of night, under fire? Thought not. As a movie, the documentary succeeds (obviously) in holding your interest throughout. You will find yourself very often having to wipe away tears so you can keep watching. I took one star off because the movie doesn't build to some kind of climactic visionary ending that lifts you out of your seat. But maybe that's the point: These docs perform like this day in and day out, and the only release worth talking about is the release of the wounded soldier back into a society that we only hope will appropriately honor him or her for their sacrifice. Veteran Director Sanders' sure hand in constructing this documentary is evident in every frame.

I was amazed to see how Terry Sanders was able to capture the essence of military medicine and present it in such a way that it is easy to understand for those without any medical or military experience. As a graduate of the Uniformed Services University (USU) medical school, it is very humbling to be associated with this film and the amazing expertise and professionalism displayed by field medics, nurses, physicians, therapists and medical evacuation staff who save and restore lives on a daily basis. Their cause is the same as all of ours - to provide the best care to those who are willing to lay down their life for their country. I guarantee you will be moved by this film and gain a new appreciation for the sacrifice and courage of the more than 1 million service members who have deployed overseas.

I am having difficulty expressing the emotions this film evoked in me. It's amazing. Sad as hell. I grieve for every one of those patients. But I am eternally grateful for the men and women who work their asses off and risk their lives to be there to protect and save them. I can't imagine a more difficult life to choose. USU is a truly amazing place, and produces absolutely incredible people. I wish from the bottom of my heart that every single American could see this film. You cannot see it and walk away the same inside. Make sure to bring tissue - I don't care who you are, you will cry. If you don't, something is very wrong with you.

I just want to say thank you to everyone - not only the people shown in the film, but everyone they represent. The doctors, nurses, medics, teachers, the guys in the field, the everyday military guys who have a huge role in preparing these people for the horrors they will experience - everyone who takes part, in any small way, in making it possible to save lives, in making these people the heroes they truly are. I am deeply grateful for you all.