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National Guard and 3 Doors Down
While at the movies this weekend, I saw a brilliant National Guard advertisement. It was one of the coolest marketing ads I’ve ever seen.
It was actually a music video by the rock band, 3 Doors Down for a song called, “Citizen Soldier.” The video itself was inspirational. As someone who served his country it almost brought a tear to my eye- almost. 
On the accompanying website, the National Guard also offers a free download of the song.
Check it out.
9 Responses to “National Guard and 3 Doors Down”
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I saw it too. It’s not very often you hear a hushed “wow” from the back of the theater after a promo. Kudos to 3DD for making the vid, and “well done” to the Guard’s advertising people for finding this niche.
We see it every time we go to a movie. And every time, after it finishes, we boo it and yell “Bring them home!” We, along iwth others in the theater, see it for what it is: a propaganda tool to lure young men into the Guard so as to keep a continuing supply of “cannon fodder” streaming into the insanity known as the Iraq War. Shame on whoever thought this one up, for purposefully stirring up the spirit of nationalism in our young people in order to grease the machinery of this senseless war with their blood!
I appreciate your passion and compassion for our troops Sherri.
The ad is inspiring but hardly brainwashing material. I see this video as celebrating the legacy of those who’ve sacrificed their lives. I think it appeals to the noble motives of would-be soldiers. I hope it inspires greatness in those who are called to serve.
I’ve never met a soldier who didn’t count the cost before taking the oath of service.
Regardless of our stance about the Iraq War, it’s the service of our soldiers that should be honored- past, present, and future.
Jason – of course the video “appeals to the noble motives of would-be soldiers.” That is part of a calculated process to ensure a steady supply of soldiers, without whom wars cannot be fought (after all, we don’t have the draft anymore, do we).
It is not a coincidence that this video comes at a time when our National Guard are largely being used to serve in Iraq, to the point that (as has been reported) their numbers at home are insufficient to deal with a serious national emergency should we have one.
Absolutely we should honor the service of our soldiers, who stand ready to sacrifice their lives to defend this country, if necessary. What we need now is an administration who honors our soldiers themselves, not only for the service they perform as soldiers, but also as human beings–as sons, fathers, brothers, yes, as people who have their own lives to lead, apart from their role as soldiers–by not placing them in harm’s way except when absolutely necessary to the defense of this country. That is not the case in Iraq, any more than it was the case in Vietnam. Their blood is being spilled for reasons less than noble: control of oil, corporate profits, extending American influence and control abroad, things like these. That makes this war immoral, and unless people stand up against it, we are going to one day find that never-ending wars have become America’s new lifestyle. Of course that can’t go on forever…eventually the huge cost of funding these wars will bankrupt us. (That process is already well underway.) And when that happens, it will spell the end of America as a world power. Since our behavior abroad has pretty well ensured that we have few friends left in the world, I doubt very much that other countries will exactly be lining up to save us from the ruin we have brought upon ourselves. I grieve for the future we are handing to our children. How the mighty have fallen….
They’re linking to this post:
http://bravenewfilms.org/blog/22477-propaganda-in-the-multi-plex
And, I have to admit, I agree with them.
Bring them home now.
honstely maybe it is doing w/e sheri said but i dont think it’s right that you should boo a ad that is a trubite to fallen soliders so matter wht you think bout the war plus the war is nesscery for our safety but lets not argue about tht
Sherri, have you been fitted for a burkha yet.
It IS about our patriotism and recognizing those who in a second are willing to give more for their fellow Americans than you ever would. These soldiers are loved and respected by more people than you will ever have any idea. For every noisy misguided liberal such as yourself, there are thousands of silent but significant (votes) people that see the big picture.
You should thank God that for whatever their reason, there are peole willing to give everything for others. I often wonder how someone such as yourself feels about law enforcement going into a dangerous situation to save innocents – should we simply abandon the victim so as not to put law enforcement “in harms way”. There IS evil and there ARE peole who will confront it and destroy it. I will always hold those people in the highest regard. When it is YOUR home and YOUR life at stake I know with certainty you will pray that there is a soldier ready to defend you regardless of your lack of support for them. It’s just the way us good guys are.
Shame on you for not giving them your unconditional support. Look around you and just try to reliaze how good you have it and why.
Gerry
Yeah, let’s bring all of them home now. It would be soooo much better for our troops to fight the terrorists here in our streets than over in Iraq. That way they can be home for dinner.
Is this Sherri person for real? Has she ever left her home state for anything other than a high priced manicure? Have you ever been to Somalia? Bosnia? Afghanistan? Pakistan? Iraq? Thailand? Equatorial Guinea? I have.
You have no idea how good you have it here. And the reason is because we are over there. Our men and women are sacrificing EVERYTHING so that you can sit back here and whine about EVERYTHING.
WE don’t want to be brought home. WE know that what needs to be done, needs to be done over there. WE reenlist time and time again to do what needs to be done. WE DON’T need or want you speaking for us.
Why don’t you try joining the military. THEN you will have the RIGHT to say bring US home, if you still feel like it. Until then, just shut up, sit back and enjoy the freedoms that are being provided for you.
This was the coolest music video I have EVER seen. EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN should have to see this video every single time they watch a movie.
It’s about time Americans learn to appreciate exactly all of the sacrifices that have been made for them every single day throughout our history.
[...] National Guard and 3 Doors Down – Another simple post that set off a firestorm from those who oppose the war. I wasn’t even making a statement about the war. [...]