Cast: Steve Baskis, Dan Sidles, Katherine Ragazzino
Director: Michael Brown
Screenplay: Michael Brown, Scott McElroy

Synopsis: A documentary that follows a team of veterans returning from combat in Afghanistan and Iraq as they set out to climb a towering Himalayan peak to overcome challenges and heal the mental and emotional ravages of war [1].

Review:

“High Ground” is a portrait into the psyche of returning veterans who have suffered through both the physical brutality and mental anguish of war. The backdrop of climbing the formidable Himalayan Mountains is an apt metaphor for the struggles veterans must endure in the wake of their multiple tours of duty overseas and the obstacles they must endure coming back to the states. Veterans in “High Ground” even touched upon the fact that the greatest battle they face is not the atrocities and casualties they face every day on the battle field, but the battle they face every day once they return from such devastation. They must somehow find a way to live a normal life in American society with the memories of war haunting them every day. American culture today can relate to physical disabilities and injuries because the pain is visually obvious, but most Americans cannot or will not appreciate the devastation of mental illness, such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (“PTSD”). As Americans, we can never fully appreciate the suffering people go through with mental illness, evidenced by a segment in “High Ground” where someone commented on a veteran’s state of mind as “nothing” compared to those that lose limbs or go blind in the field.

As demonstrated in “High Ground,” veterans receive at least a minimal amount of care from the government that sent them into harm’s way, and at least a modicum of respect from the citizens that reap the benefits of those that would sacrifice their very lives for the betterment of their country and citizenry. Video’s demonstrating American’s spitting on and throwing trash at returning veterans from Vietnam is etched into our memories, and should never be forgotten. At least with returning veterans in today’s society, there is some respect and realization that they are in fact human and actually are committed to serving their country. The anger should be directed at our own government, no matter what administration, for the deplorable conditions and minimal funding at the veteran hospitals. Based upon the contracts these veterans sign, they are in fact property of the United States of America, and as such the Unites States owes them in a fiduciary capacity anything and everything they need when they return. If one is to be an extension of the United States might and used as such a weapon, at the least, we owe them a lifetime of proper health benefits, pensions, and any other help they need once they return. If this is too expensive for the average American to deal with, then this will be a good lesson to all that the sacrifices these men and women make come at a price, not only in blood but in taxes.

In summary, in honoring our veterans, I reached out to an Iraq veteran (Desert Storm) whom I had correspondence with as pen-pals when I was in eighth grade. A series of serendipitous events occurred within the last couple years that lead me to find him. This first started with my move out to Los Angeles from Boston, Massachusetts with my wife in 2012. We wanted a change from the cold and snow and thought it would be exciting to move out west. We finally settled down, and as I was going through my old documents after reorganizing my new office, I came across a letter I kept from when I was a kid. I quickly googled the Captain’s name and found out by sheer coincidence that this Apache helicopter pilot from Desert Storm was in fact living in Los Angeles working as an attorney. We have had an email exchange since, and are planning on meeting up. He mentioned that I was the first to contact him from 23 years ago. He had some pictures and I in fact verified that one of them was when I was a kid. He mentioned that they had to burn all correspondence in the camp in case their old position got overran, but both of us were very excited to get in contact with each other after such a long time. From friends and family that have been involved in military action, I never feel comfortable asking for details of their missions, but I always let them know that I support them and offer my hand as a friend.   I have attached one of the photos that he sent me 23 years ago:

heli_iraq

 

References:

  1. “High Ground.” IMDb: The Internet Movie Database. IMDb.com-Amazon.com, 1990-2014. Tues. 11 March 2014. < http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2081261/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1>.
  2. “High Ground.” Rotten Tomatoes.com, 2014. Tues. 11 March 2014. < http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/high_ground_2012/>.
  3. “High Ground.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 2014. Tues. 11 March 2014. < http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_Ground_%28film%29>.