Good Views: The Way We Get By
Posted June 2, 2010
As a passionate moviegoer and movie blog critic, Regions associate Bret Pippen shares his take on good films.
THIS EXCELLENT and poignant documentary moves you to care about the three people it focuses on and the soldiers they love.
As it happens, Bangor, Maine, is the central point for the deployment and return of troops going to and from Iraq and Afghanistan. Almost 1 million soldiers have passed through this airport. To show their thanks for their service, a group of elderly men and women have been at the airport 24 hours a day, six days a week for six years, greeting and saying good-bye to the troops.
This tightly directed documentary focuses on three of these people—Bill, Joan, and Jerry. It is incredibly inspirational and surprisingly multi-layered. These three older people are facing their own mortality while showing how much they care about these soldiers facing their mortality. The soldiers are incredibly grateful for this dedication and this recognition of their service to our country.
My only criticism of what is otherwise a fine film is that it feels slightly manipulative in some ways. In particular, it unnecessarily focuses on some of the dreadful living circumstances of Bill. There is enough material here without us having to be emotionally manipulated.
If you don’t get misty watching the reaction of these soldiers when they see these people greet them at the airport, then you need to check your pulse.
comments (6)
I was so glad to see this story here. Otherwise I might have missed out on hearing about this film. My Fiance (who is also a Regions associate) was deployed to Iraq and went through the same airport. He was really touched by the kindness of these people at the airport. Thank you for sharing this article!
Sarah Conway, ARI somehow overlooked this article while browsing on this site and really would have missed something worthwhile. It is good to see that there is a place where seniors can feel needed and show the world what they are made of. What a great undertaking for them to greet and bid farewell to the troops as they are leaving to fight for our country. The seniors really understand the seriousness of what the soldiers are going to face and are to be commended for their response to the them. Salutations to the seniors in their service!
Judy BatesAs a Regions employee and recently retired veteran, it means a lot to me to see stories such as this. I had a similar experience at DFW with the people and the captain and crew with American Airlines. The support and kindness of strangers can mean a lot to the troops leaving and returning. Thanks for sharing this.
QuincyI wish I could thank each and every troop who is deployed or returning. If I see anyone in uniform, I try to shake their hand and thank them for their service. Theirs is the greatest sacrifice. I will look for this film. Sometimes misty eyes are a good thing!!
Pat BatesAfter reading this, I went home and watched this movie this weekend. I am in the National Guard and loved every minute of this movie. It was awesome to see the love and support of so many years after 9/11. I wish the entire country could sit down and watch this. Maybe then they would appreciate more what our troops have done and continue to do. I hope that if I am ever deployed I have the opportunity to go through this airport and meet with these people!!! Thanks for sharing this. Otherwise, I probably would have never heard about it!!!
JamieYes, my husband went through this airport twice in his last 2 deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. Mere Words cannot express what he felt as these wonderful people greeted them and took care of them for a short while.
Myra Tosten