JAG (1995–2005): Season 9, Episode 21 - Coming Home - full transcript
An enlisted Marine dies during an ambush in a village in Iraq; his sister is a schoolmate of Mattie; Harm and Mattie help the mother and the sister of the fallen Marine. The firefight took place due to bad intel from a local source, who disappeared; the same Marine outfit find him and get better intel; then the Marines finish their business in the village in question. The Marine Corps requests an investigation of the failure of the body armor in this case and in several other similar failures; Bud investigates; it appears that there is a problem with the quality of the armor. Harm meets a cynical, annoying TV news reporter, and he makes a deal with him. While Harm and Mattie talk about the fallen Marine, they continue to gain a better understanding of each other.
( baby crying in distance )
( indistinct voices
in distance )
( door creaks open )
( whooshing )
Take cover!
( indistinct shouting )
( explosion )
Smithfield!
Joe!
( automatic gunfire )
Joe.
Joe. Joe. Corpsman!
Corpsman!
( gunfire continues )
( car doors opening
and closing )
( footsteps approaching )
( footsteps approaching )
( knocker banging )
Mom?
Mom, what's going on?
Joe's dead.
The Union gunboats
USS Westfield
and the USS Arkansas
fired on Vicksburg
from the Mississippi River.
Some of the unexploded ordnance
are still in the walls
of the mansions
that line the bluffs.
Isn't that dangerous?
Well, that's a good question.
'Cause a few years ago,
one of the unexploded
munitions
exploded while the
family was out at church.
They say that was the last
shot fired in the Civil War.
How do you know all this?
I took U.S. Naval History
first year at the Academy.
( bell ringing )
Got to go.
Yeah, I love you, too.
Hey, Suze,
what's the news?
Same old.
I was talking to my dad...
I thought you didn't
talk to him anymore.
No, uh, my navy dad;
My guardian.
Sorry.
And, uh, he was talking about
the Siege of Vicksburg...
Hey, Susan!
Susan!
Susan, when did you
get the news?
What can you tell us about
your brother, Susan?
How do you feel about it, Susan?
How's the family taking it?
Just give us a minute--
that's all we want.
Did your brother
support the war?
Hey, Susan!
What do you think about the war?
What was that
all about?
A Casualty Assistance Officer
came to the house last night.
My-my brother....
The one in Iraq?
Joe.
He got killed.
Susan, I'm so sorry.
Shouldn't you
be at home, or something?
I guess.
I just thought, you know,
school would beat
just staying at home,
and... you know,
thinking about it.
We have a test to take.
I didn't study.
We have 20 minutes
before class.
I can tell you all
you need to know
about the Siege
of Vicksburg.
( helicopter blades whirring )
DR. CHANG:
Smithfield, USMC,
number 239495995.
WOMAN:
Confirmed.
Preliminary cause of death--
massive trauma
to the head and torso.
Place the deceased
in the body bag.
( helicopter blades whirring
in distance )
( sniffles )
Uh... what happens
to him now, ma'am?
( zipper closing )
The remains will be
transferred to the
mortuary in Baghdad.
They'll be put on the first
flight of opportunity.
I want to escort
him home, ma'am.
Corporal, there's no way
I'm going to allow you
to travel in your condition.
Captain, an hour ago
you told me I was doing fine.
Considering you
just got shot.
There's risk of infection.
You're going to
have to wait
for the next
medical airlift
back to the States.
No, PFC Smithfield
is not going home
alone, ma'am.
Someone will accompany
the body.
Someone he doesn't know?
Joe needs to know
that I'm there.
I've got a medic
rotating back to the States.
I'll contact your unit
and have the orders cut.
He can accompany you and
the remains of PFC Smithfield.
Thank you, ma'am.
( exhales sharply )
CHEGWIDDEN:
Thank you for joining us,
Lieutenant.
Sorry I'm late, sir.
Traffic.
Factor gridlock
into your drive time.
Leave 20 minutes earlier.
Aye, sir.
I want you both
to look into this.
Anderson flak jacket.
There's been several
reported failures in
the battlefield.
Headquarters Marine
Corps has authorized
a JAGMAN investigation
to find out if
there's a problem
with the design or manufacture
of the vest.
And if there is, sir?
I want charges filed
against those responsible.
What if they're
civilians, sir?
Interface
with the civilian authorities.
Just get it done.
The Anderson vest has passed
all fragment simulating
projectile test requirements,
Lieutenant.
Research conducted
by the Marine Corps
and by independent
testing companies.
The vest
is state-of-the-art.
Well, there have been
several failures reported
in the field, Mr. Anderson.
We make vests, Lieutenant.
We're not miracle workers.
An RPG hits a man,
nothing will save his life.
Nothing.
That's a little cold,
Mr. Anderson.
I regret the fact
that there are casualties,
Lieutenant.
But we have reached a time
when people think
that we can fight a war
without casualties.
So that if someone dies,
we think,
"Did something
malfunction?
Is there someone to blame?"
We fight wars,
and men and women die.
That's the cost of doing
business on the battlefield.
( school bell ringing )
RABB:
What's wrong?
Uh...
Suze is in trouble.
A boy?
No, nothing like that.
Oh.
But, um,
she just found out
that her brother
was killed in Iraq.
Oh, God, I'm sorry.
You know, Mattie,
the Marine Corps
have bereavement
counselors
to help the family
out at times like this.
It's not that. It...
There were reporters
at the school, and...
Ah...
they chased her
into the building
and asked her questions
like, "How do you feel?"
and "What do you think
of the war?"
And she said there are reporters
staking out her house
and calling her mom
all day and all night.
I was hoping that maybe you
could do something about it.
Like what?
I don't know,
scare the reporters away.
You're good at that--
scaring people.
Well... persuading people
to do the right thing.
I mean, you convinced me
to live with you
after I knew you
for what, two months?
At least I think
it's the right thing to do.
It is.
It is.
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
The calls started
the night the Casualty
Assistance Officer
came to the house.
A reporter named Sean Parker
called at 3:00 in the morning.
He said he wanted to
send a news crew by
for a live interview
for the 7:00 a.m. news.
And... (sighs)
I told him that I would
give him a statement,
but that I needed a few
hours to compose myself.
He wanted to catch me off guard,
Commander.
He wanted tears.
And my grief is my own.
That's my Uncle Matt.
Korea?
Mmm. That photo was taken
at Chosin Reservoir,
two days before he was wounded.
I had a great-grandfather
that fought at the
Battle of Belleau Wood,
a grandfather at Iwo Jima,
Uncle Matt at Chosin Reservoir
and the Second Battle
of Khe Sahn.
And my husband
in the First Gulf War.
If you don't mind
me asking,
Mrs. Smithfield...?
He was... an intelligence
officer, and, uh...
he died of cancer
three years ago.
I'm sorry.
Well, I have him close by.
He's buried
at Arlington.
Is your uncle, uh,
able to be with you?
He's flying in tomorrow.
So, you're handling this alone.
I have Susan.
Mrs. Smithfield, if
there's anything that I can do
to be of service,
I'd be more than happy to help.
I want you to help me
find a way to talk to
these reporters, Commander.
I want them to know Joe
for the man he was,
and not the headline
that they want him to be.
I try to talk about
Joe, and they just, uh...
...they just want to know
if I think the war is wrong
now that I've lost my son.
And I try to tell them
how proud he was
to serve his country,
and they just want to know if
I think the president was lying
about the reasons
we went into Iraq.
What can I do?
I think it's important
that my voice be heard,
and I need you to help me
tell my story on my terms.
I don't want to look
like I'm running away,
or-or that I'm ashamed
of something.
I want to have my say.
I'll do what I can,
but I-I can't promise a miracle.
I no longer believe in miracles,
Commander.
SMITH:
Our intel was bad, Captain.
CAPTAIN: What was the source
of the intel?
A local, sir: Tariq Farad.
We'd used him before
with good results.
Where is he now?
Unknown, sir.
He disappeared a
few hours before
the firefight.
Sir, I accept full
responsibility
for Private First Class
Smithfield's death.
Did you start this war,
Sergeant?
No, sir.
Did you follow
the direct orders
as they were given?
Yes, sir.
Then you're not responsible.
You and your squad
will be going back to Tifka
to find those
who were responsible
for PFC Smithfield's death.
You're to bring them to justice.
If they resist, sir?
The use of deadly force
is authorized.
Aye, aye, sir.
RABB:
You chased her down
like she was a
wanted felon.
It was a public place.
Susan Smithfield is a child.
You were at her high school.
Her brother had just died.
The boy who was killed is fourth
generation Marine Corps.
16 members in all
served in six wars.
Four killed in action.
I mean, the Smithfield family
is news.
You had a crew outside
of her house at 4:00 a.m.
Ever hear of a deadline?
What's you connection with this?
Mrs. Smithfield
is prepared to give you
a statement on camera.
Questions to follow?
Not at this time.
Look inside the house?
Few home videos,
chat with the grieving daughter?
No.
Okay, I'm
not interested.
I thought you said
the Smithfield family was news.
Look, a few canned sentiments
doesn't mean diddly-squat.
"My son Joe was the most
wonderful boy in the world.
"Everyone loved him.
He was proud to give his life
for his country."
That's just not news.
What is?
The human cost
of political calculation--
that's news.
Right there.
REPORTER:
...used mortars and
rocket-propelled grenades
at the uprising
which began this morning.
Two American soldiers were
wounded in the intense battle...
( explosions )
( guns booming )
LAWSON:
We ballistically tested the
Anderson vest on six occasions.
It surpassed
spec-threat requirements
every time
with flying colors.
We had this vest confiscated
from Iraq
for a postmortem investigation.
PFC Smithfield was killed
in Iraq two nights ago.
He was caught within ten feet
of an RPG explosion.
As you can see, his vest did not
provide adequate protection.
Well, what accounts
for the failure, sir?
That's what
we're going to find out.
Working hypothesis?
That the vest we tested
and this vest
were built
to a different standard.
Cause?
Individual malfunction.
Cost cutting.
Chance. It's hard to tell.
Colonel, I want to
be there when you
conduct that test.
You got it, Lieutenant.
MATTIE:
You talk to Mrs. Smithfield?
Yeah. She's a
strong woman.
Lost her husband
and her son.
Bet she's glad
to have you around.
( thunder rumbling,
rain pouring )
How did you
learn, Mattie,
about your mom's death?
I got a... call
in the middle of the night.
Last time I heard from my dad
for about... six months.
And after that,
people kept telling me
how bad they felt,
how sad they were,
but I didn't care
how sorry they were.
I just missed my mom...
and I had no one
to talk to.
It's been 18 months.
You want to talk
about it now?
What's the point?
She's gone.
Mattie, you're going
to have to talk about
it eventually,
'cause if you don't
come to grips with
your mom's death,
you're not going
to be able to go on
with your own life.
I never dealt with
my father's death.
You know, for years,
I kept telling myself
that he was still alive.
Even when I found out
that he was dead, I...
...I never dealt with it,
and it hurt me, big.
How?
I never let
anybody close.
Well, you let me in.
Of course I did.
What am I thinking?
What am I,
a science project?
No.
What happens
when you get bored with me?
You been talking to Mac?
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
What is it
with you and Mac?
I mean, Jen says
you love her, but I...
You've been talking
to Petty Officer
Coates about me?
A lot.
Well, I mean, there's a lot
to talk about.
What do you expect?
We're girls.
I-I-I-I don't want
to deal with this right now.
Yeah, I know,
you want to talk about me.
Remind me again:
exactly, uh,
why are you here?
Because you love me...
and hey...
you can trust me not to tell Jen
anything you wouldn't want
to tell me about Mac.
I am real serious
about keeping my word.
You tell me it's secret,
and it stays that way.
I thought I said I didn't want
to talk about me.
Too late. We're there.
Look, Mac and my relationship
is, uh, complicated.
Do you love her?
Yes.
How come you aren't
dating her anymore?
Is it because of me?
Are you afraid
to bring a girl home?
No. Look, I'll...
keep it simple for you.
Mac and I
have never been able to...
close the divide.
I guess it goes
back to, uh, what
I said earlier,
not having closure.
But we're working on it.
Anyway, uh, Mrs. Smithfield
has asked me to be there
when the Casualty Assistance
Officer visits her tonight.
And, uh, I was
wondering maybe you'd
like to come along.
You could, uh,
hang with Susan.
I'm not good
at that kind of stuff.
What kind of stuff?
Death and all.
Your son's body
will arrive at
Dover Air Force Base
in Delaware at 0830
tomorrow, ma'am.
That's 8:30 a.m.
Mrs. Smithfield is aware
of military time, Gunner.
Yes, sir. Sorry, ma'am.
The body will be
escorted by Lance
Corporal Walker Evans.
He served with
your son in Iraq.
He was wounded in
the same firefight.
Well, how's the Lance Corporal
going to make the journey?
Lance Corporal
insisted, sir.
There's a medic
on board with him.
The aircraft will be
met with full honors.
A Sergeant Major
and an Honor Guard
will accompany
PFC Smithfield
to the Charles
C. Carson Center
for Mortuary Affairs.
The center will prepare
the body for burial.
When will I see my son?
You may not want to, ma'am.
There's a recommendation
not to view.
Thank you for your candor.
His personal effects
will be returned to
you at that time.
Since your son
died in combat,
he is eligible for
burial in Arlington
National Cemetery.
Well, that would be my wish.
My husband is buried there.
If there's any way the graves
can be close together...
I'll see what
we can do, ma'am.
When will this happen, Gunner?
Sergeant Major will inform me
when he's completed
his preparations, sir.
Then the body will go where
Mrs. Smithfield directs
with the appropriate escort.
Ma'am... no marine
goes home alone.
( bird chittering )
( singing along with radio )
( loud bang )
( speaking in foreign language )
What do you
say, Tariq?
Cubans?
What do you want?
Cuban cigars are
40 bucks a pop on
the black market.
What's the price
of an American life
these days, Tariq?
500? A thousand?
I-I did nothing wrong.
I just sent a man home
packed in ice
thanks to your bad intel, Tariq.
Give me one reason
you should live.
Okay, okay, okay, um...
I will have good intel
this time, okay?
I can tell you exactly where to
find the men you're looking for.
This time it will be
the truth, I promise.
Tell me where to find 'em.
( wind whistling )
CHAPLAIN:
Let us pray.
Lord, we gather
to humbly ask your blessings
over this fallen marine.
Joseph Smithfield
gave his life
so that others
may be free.
You have said,
"No greater love has a man
than to lay down his life
for his friends."
Because of his ultimate
sacrifice,
we ask that you surround
and embrace him
with your tender mercies.
Extend your hand of consolation
over his friends and family
who mourn him.
Amen.
SOLDIER:
Column right! March!
Present! March!
Order! March!
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
Lance Corporal Evans?
EVANS:
Yes, ma'am.
I'm Joe's mother.
My condolences, ma'am.
Thank you.
This is Commander Rabb.
Pleased to meet you, sir.
I've brought letters
from the men
who served
with your son.
Thank you.
You've come a long way
with him.
Joe and I had
a pact, ma'am.
If one of us
was to get hurt or...
It's a comfort knowing
you never left his side.
How are you feeling?
Oh, nothing
I can't handle, ma'am.
Were you with Joe
the night he was killed?
Yes, ma'am.
I want to know what happened.
I want to know how he died.
RPG, ma'am.
Never saw it coming.
Did he suffer?
He was gone
when we got to him.
What was your mission,
Lance Corporal?
There'd been a suicide bombing
the day before,
out in front
of a police station.
We got word
that the people
who planned the attack
were holed up in a house
in Tifka.
It was bad intel, sir.
We walked
right into a trap.
Was PFC Smithfield
the only casualty?
Yes, sir,
other than me getting hit.
Did you complete your mission?
No, sir. We never got
the planners...
or the ones
who shot the RPG.
There's still unfinished
business back there, sir.
( loud explosion )
Would you take these for me,
Lieutenant?
Yes, sir.
( computer trilling )
ROBERTS:
What do you have, sir?
My findings are
only preliminary...
an educated guess.
Understood, Colonel.
The vest worn by
PFC Smithfield
and the vest
from the dummy
both are of
inferior quality
and show probabilities
of incapacitation
here and here.
The vest we tested
18 months ago
defeated fragments
at a much greater
explosive velocity
than an RPG
and still passed
the spec-threat requirements.
What can explain that, sir?
When it was learned that
many of the Army Reserve
units deployed to Iraq
didn't receive vests,
the company that manufactures
the Anderson vest
went into high gear.
It's possible
there was a degradation
in quality of materials
or quality assurance.
How long will it take
to perform
the additional testing
to determine that?
Several months.
MacKENZIE:
We've completed our preliminary
investigation, sir.
It appears there
may be anomalies
in the production of
the Anderson vest.
Anomalies? What the hell
does that mean?
Well, deficiencies, sir,
but we won't know for sure
until additional
laboratory testing
is complete.
In several months, sir.
We send our people to war,
we want to give them
the best equipment:
best tanks, best aircraft,
hell, the best damn boots.
"Several months"
is several months too long
to wait for an answer--
is that clear?
Affirmative, Admiral.
We'll convey your
message to Aberdeen.
See that you do.
Hey, Bud, you okay?
I'm fine, sir.
You sure?
I thought I'd put it
behind me, sir--
what happened
on the battlefield.
Where did you get these?
They're for a case
that I'm working on, sir.
A PFC Smithfield
was a recent casualty.
Yeah. Was killed four days ago.
Firefight with the fedayeen
in Tifka.
How did you know?
I'm helping out the family.
You should know
that there's a question about
the quality of his vest, sir.
Let me know if you hear
anything, all right?
Yes, sir.
Seems like the death
of PFC Smithfield
touched a lot
of people's lives, sir.
You know, I was at, uh...
Bethesda Naval Hospital
last week for my annual checkup
on the leg.
The ward is filled
with new arrivals.
First thing you see
when you get off the elevator
on the fifth floor
is the Wall of Heroes.
The P.T.s, they put up
photos of the men
that they're working with,
you know:
the burn cases,
the shrapnel victims...
a lot of amputees.
I spoke with a nurse
who took care of me
when I was there.
She says that the average age
of the men that they treat
is 23 years old, sir.
That is just too damn young,
and there's not a thing
that we can do about it.
♪ ♪
( gunfire and explosions
in distance )
The time of departure
is 0800 tomorrow.
A 46 will insert you
at Wadi al Harish.
You will wait there
until 1900,
then make your way into Tifka
under cover of darkness.
You got it, Sergeant.
Aye, sir.
The suspects are located
in a house
at the edge of the village.
Any questions?
How reliable
is the intel, Sergeant?
I have reason
to believe that
it's excellent.
Your mission is to take
these men alive.
Failing that,
follow your R.O.E.
I received a
communication
from PFC Smithfield's
mother this morning,
thanking each of you
for your letters
of condolence
that Lance Corporal Evans
carried with him.
Mrs. Smithfield
sends her blessings...
and her fervent prayers
for your safe return
to the United States.
I don't want to have to write
another letter
to another mother.
( helicopter blades whirring )
Mr. Parker.
Hey.
I'm a little busy now,
Commander.
Look, I promised
Mrs. Smithfield
she'd have an opportunity
to tell her story.
Is that right?
What are you,
my assignment editor?
I need you to help
me with this, Sean.
What do I get?
You ever been
up in a F-14?
No.
It's one hell
of a ride.
Nothing like it
in the world.
You could arrange
a flight?
( laughs ):
I'll take you
up myself.
First, we'll
go supersonic,
then, at high altitude,
we'll pull a sustained
"G" in a high G-turn.
Lastly, we'll go zero-G.
That's negative gravity.
You can watch a nickel
float in the cockpit.
It's one hell of a
photo-op, Mr. Parker.
You call me when
you're ready.
All right.
You'll be hearing from me.
You'll be hearing
from me about a
time and place
for Mrs. Smithfield's
interview.
( quietly ):
Don't forget your barf bag.
( helicopter blades whirring
loudly )
All right, listen up.
Do your best
to bring 'em out alive.
( helicopter blades whirring
drowns out talking )
You guys ready?
Go, go, go!
Good luck.
( helicopter blades whirring
loudly )
Harm... this outfit...
is not me.
What are you talking about?
You look great.
Oh, easy for you to say.
You wear the same outfit
all year long.
Mattie... patently
not true.
Blues in the winter,
whites in the summer,
peanut butters on duty.
Whatever that is.
Khaki.
Why didn't you
just call it that?
Then, of course, there's
the, uh, dress mess uniform
which has a gold cummerbund,
and, uh, camos,
and then there's, uh,
flight suits and, uh...
you know, various other looks.
Harm, are you sure
that I have to...
go to this thing tonight?
Fine, Matilda,
but you call Mrs.
Smithfield yourself
and you tell her why
you're not coming.
And then you can call
Susan and tell her
that you're a chicken.
Harm, sometimes you forget
that I'm not a part
of your army.
Never say "army" to a navy man.
It provokes a
bad result, okay?
It's important that
you're there, Mattie,
to show your
love and support.
I know.
But... what am I going
to say, Harm?
You don't have
to say anything.
Your presence
there is enough.
I know this sounds stupid,
but...
I have a really hard time
being around people
who break down and cry
and stuff.
This isn't a night
for tears, Mattie.
This is a night
to celebrate a life.
Commander, Mattie--
please, come in.
Mrs. Smithfield,
I'm so sorry
about Joe.
Oh, thank you, Mattie.
That means a lot.
Susan's upstairs.
Thanks.
I don't know
what we would have done
without you and Mattie.
She's been
a good friend to Susan.
It's been such
a relief for her
to talk about
everyday things, you know.
Boys, mostly.
Boys? What boys?
Well, don't ask her,
'cause she won't tell you.
Joe had girlfriends
I never even met.
Forgive me.
Would you like
something to drink?
Oh, sure.
Beer would be fine.
Mattie seems very grown up
for her age.
Yeah, I'm not so sure
that's a good thing.
She, uh, she was
forced to grow up
a little too
quickly, you know?
She kind of forgot what
it was like to be a kid.
Well, whatever the problems,
you're lucky to have her.
Well, I love having
her in my life.
I just...
I don't always know
what to do with her.
Well, none of us know,
Commander.
It's trial and error.
Up until the day
that Joe left
on that C-141
for Iraq,
I was... I was still trying
to figure him out.
Well, if you ever
want advice
on how to deal with Mattie,
you know where to find me.
And in the meantime,
treasure every minute.
( knock on door )
They'll never come again.
Excuse me.
Uncle Matt.
I'm so glad
you're here.
I know, Rachel.
Evening, ma'am.
Evening.
Come on in.
All right.
Thanks for picking me up,
Gunner.
Here if you need anything, sir.
Commander Harmon Rabb,
I'd like you
to meet my uncle,
Retired General
Matthew Smithfield.
A pleasure to meet you,
Commander.
The pleasure's
all mine, sir.
I'd like to thank you
for all the support
that you've provided
for our family.
It was an
honor, General.
Come on in.
You know,
when you're ready to talk,
I'm here.
You haven't known me
for that long,
but you can trust me.
Why, when you
don't trust me?
What do you mean?
You never told me what
happened to your mom.
Like it's too
close, or something,
because it
happened to you.
Well, this is happening to me.
That's fair.
Well, after the accident
that killed my mom,
I went through a time
where I just tried to pretend
like it didn't happen.
Yeah, I know.
You have your
father to hate
for what happened
to your mom.
Who am I supposed
to hate for what
happened to my brother?
Well, Harm says when you
don't deal with death and stuff,
it makes it hard
to have relationships.
After my mom died,
I couldn't ever talk about it.
I just got angry
with the whole world,
and I stayed that way.
Except for Harm.
I even get mad at him, too,
sometimes.
And sometimes
he gets this look,
like, "What am I doing
with this brat?"
Now he's talking to my dad.
I'm afraid that if my dad
gets any better,
Harm's going
to send me home to him.
I pray every night
that it doesn't happen.
I prayed that God
wouldn't let cancer take my dad.
Then I prayed
that my brother
would be safe in Iraq.
Since Joe got killed...
I can't pray.
( knock on door )
( people conversing quietly )
MAN: Commander Rabb?
WOMAN: Good evening, sir.
Come on in.
Thank you two both
for coming.
Mrs. Smithfield...
Ma'am, these marines
served with Joe.
This is Private
First Class Barksdale.
She's stationed
at Camp Pendleton
with the First FSSG.
Pleased to
meet you, ma'am.
My condolences.
This is Private
First Class Cartwright.
He's stationed in Yuma
with the HMLA 361.
I'm sorry
for your loss, ma'am.
Thank you both
for coming.
Are you all hungry?
I was born hungry, ma'am.
Well, there's beer
and sandwiches in the kitchen.
Tell me something,
Commander.
Was it worth it?
Sir?
His getting killed.
I don't know, General.
Was Chosin Reservoir
worth it, sir?
A frozen piece of worthless
North Korean real estate.
You know
I fought there?
Yes, sir, I do.
Over 1,600 marines
died at Chosin.
We drew the line in Korea,
Lance Corporal.
This far and no further.
We're fighting
a new enemy now, sir.
We're sending a new message.
Attack us,
and we'll come after you.
You can't hide.
So, was your nephew's death
worth it, sir?
I'll say this-- it won't be
if we don't stay the course.
We can't let a
handful of thugs
run us out
of Iraq, sir.
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
Donna?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
For what?
Marines don't cry.
You're the only one who
hasn't told me a story.
I'm having a hard time
finding the words, ma'am.
Were you in
love with him?
Yes, ma'am.
Thing was, we... didn't have
a lot of time together.
A night here and there.
A weekend once.
Joe took me
to the Del Coronado Hotel.
I stayed there many years ago
with Joe's father
when he was stationed
at Pendleton.
Then you know
how special that night was.
Yeah.
Joe got
an ocean-view room.
Cost him two weeks' pay.
Did you have plans together?
He was going to see me
when he got back.
I don't know where
it would have gone,
but I'd like
to think
somewhere.
You must be proud of him.
I am.
You raised him
good.
Why do you say that?
'Cause of
the type of guy he was.
Funny.
And real kind.
I can see that in you,
ma'am.
I just...
I keep thinking of what me
and Joe might have had together.
All that's gone now.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
( soft, stifled sob )
You will find
happiness someday.
What about you?
I had my happiness early.
CHAPLAIN:
Friends, we have gathered here
to praise God
and to witness our faith
as we celebrate the life
of Private First Class
Joseph Smithfield.
We have come together in grief,
acknowledging our human loss.
May God grant us grace,
that in pain
we may find comfort,
in sorrow, hope,
in death, resurrection.
CHAPLAIN:
Oh, God, all that you
have given us is yours.
As first you gave
Joseph Smithfield to us,
now we give Joseph Smithfield
back to you.
Receive Joseph Smithfield
into the arms of your mercy.
Raise Joseph Smithfield up
with all your people.
Receive us also,
and raise us into a new life.
Help us so to love
and serve you in this world
that we may enter your joy
in the world to come. Amen.
This flag is presented
on behalf of a grateful nation
as a token
of our appreciation
for the honorable
and dutiful service
rendered by your son.
Thank you.
NCOIC:
Right face!
Port arms!
Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
( gunshots )
NCOIC:
Aim! Fire!
Aim! Fire!
Present arms!
( bugler playing "Taps" )
( "Taps" ends )
Order arms!
( people talking quietly )
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
Thank you.
What will you
do now?
Remember him
for the rest of my life.
Mrs. Smithfield, my
name is Sean Parker.
Nice to meet you,
Mr. Parker.
I'd like to tell you
about my son.
Joe comes from
a family of marines--
his father, his grandfather,
his great-grandfather.
And he was so very proud
to serve his country.
( gentle music playing )
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
( indistinct voices
in distance )
( door creaks open )
( whooshing )
Take cover!
( indistinct shouting )
( explosion )
Smithfield!
Joe!
( automatic gunfire )
Joe.
Joe. Joe. Corpsman!
Corpsman!
( gunfire continues )
( car doors opening
and closing )
( footsteps approaching )
( footsteps approaching )
( knocker banging )
Mom?
Mom, what's going on?
Joe's dead.
The Union gunboats
USS Westfield
and the USS Arkansas
fired on Vicksburg
from the Mississippi River.
Some of the unexploded ordnance
are still in the walls
of the mansions
that line the bluffs.
Isn't that dangerous?
Well, that's a good question.
'Cause a few years ago,
one of the unexploded
munitions
exploded while the
family was out at church.
They say that was the last
shot fired in the Civil War.
How do you know all this?
I took U.S. Naval History
first year at the Academy.
( bell ringing )
Got to go.
Yeah, I love you, too.
Hey, Suze,
what's the news?
Same old.
I was talking to my dad...
I thought you didn't
talk to him anymore.
No, uh, my navy dad;
My guardian.
Sorry.
And, uh, he was talking about
the Siege of Vicksburg...
Hey, Susan!
Susan!
Susan, when did you
get the news?
What can you tell us about
your brother, Susan?
How do you feel about it, Susan?
How's the family taking it?
Just give us a minute--
that's all we want.
Did your brother
support the war?
Hey, Susan!
What do you think about the war?
What was that
all about?
A Casualty Assistance Officer
came to the house last night.
My-my brother....
The one in Iraq?
Joe.
He got killed.
Susan, I'm so sorry.
Shouldn't you
be at home, or something?
I guess.
I just thought, you know,
school would beat
just staying at home,
and... you know,
thinking about it.
We have a test to take.
I didn't study.
We have 20 minutes
before class.
I can tell you all
you need to know
about the Siege
of Vicksburg.
( helicopter blades whirring )
DR. CHANG:
Smithfield, USMC,
number 239495995.
WOMAN:
Confirmed.
Preliminary cause of death--
massive trauma
to the head and torso.
Place the deceased
in the body bag.
( helicopter blades whirring
in distance )
( sniffles )
Uh... what happens
to him now, ma'am?
( zipper closing )
The remains will be
transferred to the
mortuary in Baghdad.
They'll be put on the first
flight of opportunity.
I want to escort
him home, ma'am.
Corporal, there's no way
I'm going to allow you
to travel in your condition.
Captain, an hour ago
you told me I was doing fine.
Considering you
just got shot.
There's risk of infection.
You're going to
have to wait
for the next
medical airlift
back to the States.
No, PFC Smithfield
is not going home
alone, ma'am.
Someone will accompany
the body.
Someone he doesn't know?
Joe needs to know
that I'm there.
I've got a medic
rotating back to the States.
I'll contact your unit
and have the orders cut.
He can accompany you and
the remains of PFC Smithfield.
Thank you, ma'am.
( exhales sharply )
CHEGWIDDEN:
Thank you for joining us,
Lieutenant.
Sorry I'm late, sir.
Traffic.
Factor gridlock
into your drive time.
Leave 20 minutes earlier.
Aye, sir.
I want you both
to look into this.
Anderson flak jacket.
There's been several
reported failures in
the battlefield.
Headquarters Marine
Corps has authorized
a JAGMAN investigation
to find out if
there's a problem
with the design or manufacture
of the vest.
And if there is, sir?
I want charges filed
against those responsible.
What if they're
civilians, sir?
Interface
with the civilian authorities.
Just get it done.
The Anderson vest has passed
all fragment simulating
projectile test requirements,
Lieutenant.
Research conducted
by the Marine Corps
and by independent
testing companies.
The vest
is state-of-the-art.
Well, there have been
several failures reported
in the field, Mr. Anderson.
We make vests, Lieutenant.
We're not miracle workers.
An RPG hits a man,
nothing will save his life.
Nothing.
That's a little cold,
Mr. Anderson.
I regret the fact
that there are casualties,
Lieutenant.
But we have reached a time
when people think
that we can fight a war
without casualties.
So that if someone dies,
we think,
"Did something
malfunction?
Is there someone to blame?"
We fight wars,
and men and women die.
That's the cost of doing
business on the battlefield.
( school bell ringing )
RABB:
What's wrong?
Uh...
Suze is in trouble.
A boy?
No, nothing like that.
Oh.
But, um,
she just found out
that her brother
was killed in Iraq.
Oh, God, I'm sorry.
You know, Mattie,
the Marine Corps
have bereavement
counselors
to help the family
out at times like this.
It's not that. It...
There were reporters
at the school, and...
Ah...
they chased her
into the building
and asked her questions
like, "How do you feel?"
and "What do you think
of the war?"
And she said there are reporters
staking out her house
and calling her mom
all day and all night.
I was hoping that maybe you
could do something about it.
Like what?
I don't know,
scare the reporters away.
You're good at that--
scaring people.
Well... persuading people
to do the right thing.
I mean, you convinced me
to live with you
after I knew you
for what, two months?
At least I think
it's the right thing to do.
It is.
It is.
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
The calls started
the night the Casualty
Assistance Officer
came to the house.
A reporter named Sean Parker
called at 3:00 in the morning.
He said he wanted to
send a news crew by
for a live interview
for the 7:00 a.m. news.
And... (sighs)
I told him that I would
give him a statement,
but that I needed a few
hours to compose myself.
He wanted to catch me off guard,
Commander.
He wanted tears.
And my grief is my own.
That's my Uncle Matt.
Korea?
Mmm. That photo was taken
at Chosin Reservoir,
two days before he was wounded.
I had a great-grandfather
that fought at the
Battle of Belleau Wood,
a grandfather at Iwo Jima,
Uncle Matt at Chosin Reservoir
and the Second Battle
of Khe Sahn.
And my husband
in the First Gulf War.
If you don't mind
me asking,
Mrs. Smithfield...?
He was... an intelligence
officer, and, uh...
he died of cancer
three years ago.
I'm sorry.
Well, I have him close by.
He's buried
at Arlington.
Is your uncle, uh,
able to be with you?
He's flying in tomorrow.
So, you're handling this alone.
I have Susan.
Mrs. Smithfield, if
there's anything that I can do
to be of service,
I'd be more than happy to help.
I want you to help me
find a way to talk to
these reporters, Commander.
I want them to know Joe
for the man he was,
and not the headline
that they want him to be.
I try to talk about
Joe, and they just, uh...
...they just want to know
if I think the war is wrong
now that I've lost my son.
And I try to tell them
how proud he was
to serve his country,
and they just want to know if
I think the president was lying
about the reasons
we went into Iraq.
What can I do?
I think it's important
that my voice be heard,
and I need you to help me
tell my story on my terms.
I don't want to look
like I'm running away,
or-or that I'm ashamed
of something.
I want to have my say.
I'll do what I can,
but I-I can't promise a miracle.
I no longer believe in miracles,
Commander.
SMITH:
Our intel was bad, Captain.
CAPTAIN: What was the source
of the intel?
A local, sir: Tariq Farad.
We'd used him before
with good results.
Where is he now?
Unknown, sir.
He disappeared a
few hours before
the firefight.
Sir, I accept full
responsibility
for Private First Class
Smithfield's death.
Did you start this war,
Sergeant?
No, sir.
Did you follow
the direct orders
as they were given?
Yes, sir.
Then you're not responsible.
You and your squad
will be going back to Tifka
to find those
who were responsible
for PFC Smithfield's death.
You're to bring them to justice.
If they resist, sir?
The use of deadly force
is authorized.
Aye, aye, sir.
RABB:
You chased her down
like she was a
wanted felon.
It was a public place.
Susan Smithfield is a child.
You were at her high school.
Her brother had just died.
The boy who was killed is fourth
generation Marine Corps.
16 members in all
served in six wars.
Four killed in action.
I mean, the Smithfield family
is news.
You had a crew outside
of her house at 4:00 a.m.
Ever hear of a deadline?
What's you connection with this?
Mrs. Smithfield
is prepared to give you
a statement on camera.
Questions to follow?
Not at this time.
Look inside the house?
Few home videos,
chat with the grieving daughter?
No.
Okay, I'm
not interested.
I thought you said
the Smithfield family was news.
Look, a few canned sentiments
doesn't mean diddly-squat.
"My son Joe was the most
wonderful boy in the world.
"Everyone loved him.
He was proud to give his life
for his country."
That's just not news.
What is?
The human cost
of political calculation--
that's news.
Right there.
REPORTER:
...used mortars and
rocket-propelled grenades
at the uprising
which began this morning.
Two American soldiers were
wounded in the intense battle...
( explosions )
( guns booming )
LAWSON:
We ballistically tested the
Anderson vest on six occasions.
It surpassed
spec-threat requirements
every time
with flying colors.
We had this vest confiscated
from Iraq
for a postmortem investigation.
PFC Smithfield was killed
in Iraq two nights ago.
He was caught within ten feet
of an RPG explosion.
As you can see, his vest did not
provide adequate protection.
Well, what accounts
for the failure, sir?
That's what
we're going to find out.
Working hypothesis?
That the vest we tested
and this vest
were built
to a different standard.
Cause?
Individual malfunction.
Cost cutting.
Chance. It's hard to tell.
Colonel, I want to
be there when you
conduct that test.
You got it, Lieutenant.
MATTIE:
You talk to Mrs. Smithfield?
Yeah. She's a
strong woman.
Lost her husband
and her son.
Bet she's glad
to have you around.
( thunder rumbling,
rain pouring )
How did you
learn, Mattie,
about your mom's death?
I got a... call
in the middle of the night.
Last time I heard from my dad
for about... six months.
And after that,
people kept telling me
how bad they felt,
how sad they were,
but I didn't care
how sorry they were.
I just missed my mom...
and I had no one
to talk to.
It's been 18 months.
You want to talk
about it now?
What's the point?
She's gone.
Mattie, you're going
to have to talk about
it eventually,
'cause if you don't
come to grips with
your mom's death,
you're not going
to be able to go on
with your own life.
I never dealt with
my father's death.
You know, for years,
I kept telling myself
that he was still alive.
Even when I found out
that he was dead, I...
...I never dealt with it,
and it hurt me, big.
How?
I never let
anybody close.
Well, you let me in.
Of course I did.
What am I thinking?
What am I,
a science project?
No.
What happens
when you get bored with me?
You been talking to Mac?
What's that supposed to mean?
Nothing.
What is it
with you and Mac?
I mean, Jen says
you love her, but I...
You've been talking
to Petty Officer
Coates about me?
A lot.
Well, I mean, there's a lot
to talk about.
What do you expect?
We're girls.
I-I-I-I don't want
to deal with this right now.
Yeah, I know,
you want to talk about me.
Remind me again:
exactly, uh,
why are you here?
Because you love me...
and hey...
you can trust me not to tell Jen
anything you wouldn't want
to tell me about Mac.
I am real serious
about keeping my word.
You tell me it's secret,
and it stays that way.
I thought I said I didn't want
to talk about me.
Too late. We're there.
Look, Mac and my relationship
is, uh, complicated.
Do you love her?
Yes.
How come you aren't
dating her anymore?
Is it because of me?
Are you afraid
to bring a girl home?
No. Look, I'll...
keep it simple for you.
Mac and I
have never been able to...
close the divide.
I guess it goes
back to, uh, what
I said earlier,
not having closure.
But we're working on it.
Anyway, uh, Mrs. Smithfield
has asked me to be there
when the Casualty Assistance
Officer visits her tonight.
And, uh, I was
wondering maybe you'd
like to come along.
You could, uh,
hang with Susan.
I'm not good
at that kind of stuff.
What kind of stuff?
Death and all.
Your son's body
will arrive at
Dover Air Force Base
in Delaware at 0830
tomorrow, ma'am.
That's 8:30 a.m.
Mrs. Smithfield is aware
of military time, Gunner.
Yes, sir. Sorry, ma'am.
The body will be
escorted by Lance
Corporal Walker Evans.
He served with
your son in Iraq.
He was wounded in
the same firefight.
Well, how's the Lance Corporal
going to make the journey?
Lance Corporal
insisted, sir.
There's a medic
on board with him.
The aircraft will be
met with full honors.
A Sergeant Major
and an Honor Guard
will accompany
PFC Smithfield
to the Charles
C. Carson Center
for Mortuary Affairs.
The center will prepare
the body for burial.
When will I see my son?
You may not want to, ma'am.
There's a recommendation
not to view.
Thank you for your candor.
His personal effects
will be returned to
you at that time.
Since your son
died in combat,
he is eligible for
burial in Arlington
National Cemetery.
Well, that would be my wish.
My husband is buried there.
If there's any way the graves
can be close together...
I'll see what
we can do, ma'am.
When will this happen, Gunner?
Sergeant Major will inform me
when he's completed
his preparations, sir.
Then the body will go where
Mrs. Smithfield directs
with the appropriate escort.
Ma'am... no marine
goes home alone.
( bird chittering )
( singing along with radio )
( loud bang )
( speaking in foreign language )
What do you
say, Tariq?
Cubans?
What do you want?
Cuban cigars are
40 bucks a pop on
the black market.
What's the price
of an American life
these days, Tariq?
500? A thousand?
I-I did nothing wrong.
I just sent a man home
packed in ice
thanks to your bad intel, Tariq.
Give me one reason
you should live.
Okay, okay, okay, um...
I will have good intel
this time, okay?
I can tell you exactly where to
find the men you're looking for.
This time it will be
the truth, I promise.
Tell me where to find 'em.
( wind whistling )
CHAPLAIN:
Let us pray.
Lord, we gather
to humbly ask your blessings
over this fallen marine.
Joseph Smithfield
gave his life
so that others
may be free.
You have said,
"No greater love has a man
than to lay down his life
for his friends."
Because of his ultimate
sacrifice,
we ask that you surround
and embrace him
with your tender mercies.
Extend your hand of consolation
over his friends and family
who mourn him.
Amen.
SOLDIER:
Column right! March!
Present! March!
Order! March!
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
Lance Corporal Evans?
EVANS:
Yes, ma'am.
I'm Joe's mother.
My condolences, ma'am.
Thank you.
This is Commander Rabb.
Pleased to meet you, sir.
I've brought letters
from the men
who served
with your son.
Thank you.
You've come a long way
with him.
Joe and I had
a pact, ma'am.
If one of us
was to get hurt or...
It's a comfort knowing
you never left his side.
How are you feeling?
Oh, nothing
I can't handle, ma'am.
Were you with Joe
the night he was killed?
Yes, ma'am.
I want to know what happened.
I want to know how he died.
RPG, ma'am.
Never saw it coming.
Did he suffer?
He was gone
when we got to him.
What was your mission,
Lance Corporal?
There'd been a suicide bombing
the day before,
out in front
of a police station.
We got word
that the people
who planned the attack
were holed up in a house
in Tifka.
It was bad intel, sir.
We walked
right into a trap.
Was PFC Smithfield
the only casualty?
Yes, sir,
other than me getting hit.
Did you complete your mission?
No, sir. We never got
the planners...
or the ones
who shot the RPG.
There's still unfinished
business back there, sir.
( loud explosion )
Would you take these for me,
Lieutenant?
Yes, sir.
( computer trilling )
ROBERTS:
What do you have, sir?
My findings are
only preliminary...
an educated guess.
Understood, Colonel.
The vest worn by
PFC Smithfield
and the vest
from the dummy
both are of
inferior quality
and show probabilities
of incapacitation
here and here.
The vest we tested
18 months ago
defeated fragments
at a much greater
explosive velocity
than an RPG
and still passed
the spec-threat requirements.
What can explain that, sir?
When it was learned that
many of the Army Reserve
units deployed to Iraq
didn't receive vests,
the company that manufactures
the Anderson vest
went into high gear.
It's possible
there was a degradation
in quality of materials
or quality assurance.
How long will it take
to perform
the additional testing
to determine that?
Several months.
MacKENZIE:
We've completed our preliminary
investigation, sir.
It appears there
may be anomalies
in the production of
the Anderson vest.
Anomalies? What the hell
does that mean?
Well, deficiencies, sir,
but we won't know for sure
until additional
laboratory testing
is complete.
In several months, sir.
We send our people to war,
we want to give them
the best equipment:
best tanks, best aircraft,
hell, the best damn boots.
"Several months"
is several months too long
to wait for an answer--
is that clear?
Affirmative, Admiral.
We'll convey your
message to Aberdeen.
See that you do.
Hey, Bud, you okay?
I'm fine, sir.
You sure?
I thought I'd put it
behind me, sir--
what happened
on the battlefield.
Where did you get these?
They're for a case
that I'm working on, sir.
A PFC Smithfield
was a recent casualty.
Yeah. Was killed four days ago.
Firefight with the fedayeen
in Tifka.
How did you know?
I'm helping out the family.
You should know
that there's a question about
the quality of his vest, sir.
Let me know if you hear
anything, all right?
Yes, sir.
Seems like the death
of PFC Smithfield
touched a lot
of people's lives, sir.
You know, I was at, uh...
Bethesda Naval Hospital
last week for my annual checkup
on the leg.
The ward is filled
with new arrivals.
First thing you see
when you get off the elevator
on the fifth floor
is the Wall of Heroes.
The P.T.s, they put up
photos of the men
that they're working with,
you know:
the burn cases,
the shrapnel victims...
a lot of amputees.
I spoke with a nurse
who took care of me
when I was there.
She says that the average age
of the men that they treat
is 23 years old, sir.
That is just too damn young,
and there's not a thing
that we can do about it.
♪ ♪
( gunfire and explosions
in distance )
The time of departure
is 0800 tomorrow.
A 46 will insert you
at Wadi al Harish.
You will wait there
until 1900,
then make your way into Tifka
under cover of darkness.
You got it, Sergeant.
Aye, sir.
The suspects are located
in a house
at the edge of the village.
Any questions?
How reliable
is the intel, Sergeant?
I have reason
to believe that
it's excellent.
Your mission is to take
these men alive.
Failing that,
follow your R.O.E.
I received a
communication
from PFC Smithfield's
mother this morning,
thanking each of you
for your letters
of condolence
that Lance Corporal Evans
carried with him.
Mrs. Smithfield
sends her blessings...
and her fervent prayers
for your safe return
to the United States.
I don't want to have to write
another letter
to another mother.
( helicopter blades whirring )
Mr. Parker.
Hey.
I'm a little busy now,
Commander.
Look, I promised
Mrs. Smithfield
she'd have an opportunity
to tell her story.
Is that right?
What are you,
my assignment editor?
I need you to help
me with this, Sean.
What do I get?
You ever been
up in a F-14?
No.
It's one hell
of a ride.
Nothing like it
in the world.
You could arrange
a flight?
( laughs ):
I'll take you
up myself.
First, we'll
go supersonic,
then, at high altitude,
we'll pull a sustained
"G" in a high G-turn.
Lastly, we'll go zero-G.
That's negative gravity.
You can watch a nickel
float in the cockpit.
It's one hell of a
photo-op, Mr. Parker.
You call me when
you're ready.
All right.
You'll be hearing from me.
You'll be hearing
from me about a
time and place
for Mrs. Smithfield's
interview.
( quietly ):
Don't forget your barf bag.
( helicopter blades whirring
loudly )
All right, listen up.
Do your best
to bring 'em out alive.
( helicopter blades whirring
drowns out talking )
You guys ready?
Go, go, go!
Good luck.
( helicopter blades whirring
loudly )
Harm... this outfit...
is not me.
What are you talking about?
You look great.
Oh, easy for you to say.
You wear the same outfit
all year long.
Mattie... patently
not true.
Blues in the winter,
whites in the summer,
peanut butters on duty.
Whatever that is.
Khaki.
Why didn't you
just call it that?
Then, of course, there's
the, uh, dress mess uniform
which has a gold cummerbund,
and, uh, camos,
and then there's, uh,
flight suits and, uh...
you know, various other looks.
Harm, are you sure
that I have to...
go to this thing tonight?
Fine, Matilda,
but you call Mrs.
Smithfield yourself
and you tell her why
you're not coming.
And then you can call
Susan and tell her
that you're a chicken.
Harm, sometimes you forget
that I'm not a part
of your army.
Never say "army" to a navy man.
It provokes a
bad result, okay?
It's important that
you're there, Mattie,
to show your
love and support.
I know.
But... what am I going
to say, Harm?
You don't have
to say anything.
Your presence
there is enough.
I know this sounds stupid,
but...
I have a really hard time
being around people
who break down and cry
and stuff.
This isn't a night
for tears, Mattie.
This is a night
to celebrate a life.
Commander, Mattie--
please, come in.
Mrs. Smithfield,
I'm so sorry
about Joe.
Oh, thank you, Mattie.
That means a lot.
Susan's upstairs.
Thanks.
I don't know
what we would have done
without you and Mattie.
She's been
a good friend to Susan.
It's been such
a relief for her
to talk about
everyday things, you know.
Boys, mostly.
Boys? What boys?
Well, don't ask her,
'cause she won't tell you.
Joe had girlfriends
I never even met.
Forgive me.
Would you like
something to drink?
Oh, sure.
Beer would be fine.
Mattie seems very grown up
for her age.
Yeah, I'm not so sure
that's a good thing.
She, uh, she was
forced to grow up
a little too
quickly, you know?
She kind of forgot what
it was like to be a kid.
Well, whatever the problems,
you're lucky to have her.
Well, I love having
her in my life.
I just...
I don't always know
what to do with her.
Well, none of us know,
Commander.
It's trial and error.
Up until the day
that Joe left
on that C-141
for Iraq,
I was... I was still trying
to figure him out.
Well, if you ever
want advice
on how to deal with Mattie,
you know where to find me.
And in the meantime,
treasure every minute.
( knock on door )
They'll never come again.
Excuse me.
Uncle Matt.
I'm so glad
you're here.
I know, Rachel.
Evening, ma'am.
Evening.
Come on in.
All right.
Thanks for picking me up,
Gunner.
Here if you need anything, sir.
Commander Harmon Rabb,
I'd like you
to meet my uncle,
Retired General
Matthew Smithfield.
A pleasure to meet you,
Commander.
The pleasure's
all mine, sir.
I'd like to thank you
for all the support
that you've provided
for our family.
It was an
honor, General.
Come on in.
You know,
when you're ready to talk,
I'm here.
You haven't known me
for that long,
but you can trust me.
Why, when you
don't trust me?
What do you mean?
You never told me what
happened to your mom.
Like it's too
close, or something,
because it
happened to you.
Well, this is happening to me.
That's fair.
Well, after the accident
that killed my mom,
I went through a time
where I just tried to pretend
like it didn't happen.
Yeah, I know.
You have your
father to hate
for what happened
to your mom.
Who am I supposed
to hate for what
happened to my brother?
Well, Harm says when you
don't deal with death and stuff,
it makes it hard
to have relationships.
After my mom died,
I couldn't ever talk about it.
I just got angry
with the whole world,
and I stayed that way.
Except for Harm.
I even get mad at him, too,
sometimes.
And sometimes
he gets this look,
like, "What am I doing
with this brat?"
Now he's talking to my dad.
I'm afraid that if my dad
gets any better,
Harm's going
to send me home to him.
I pray every night
that it doesn't happen.
I prayed that God
wouldn't let cancer take my dad.
Then I prayed
that my brother
would be safe in Iraq.
Since Joe got killed...
I can't pray.
( knock on door )
( people conversing quietly )
MAN: Commander Rabb?
WOMAN: Good evening, sir.
Come on in.
Thank you two both
for coming.
Mrs. Smithfield...
Ma'am, these marines
served with Joe.
This is Private
First Class Barksdale.
She's stationed
at Camp Pendleton
with the First FSSG.
Pleased to
meet you, ma'am.
My condolences.
This is Private
First Class Cartwright.
He's stationed in Yuma
with the HMLA 361.
I'm sorry
for your loss, ma'am.
Thank you both
for coming.
Are you all hungry?
I was born hungry, ma'am.
Well, there's beer
and sandwiches in the kitchen.
Tell me something,
Commander.
Was it worth it?
Sir?
His getting killed.
I don't know, General.
Was Chosin Reservoir
worth it, sir?
A frozen piece of worthless
North Korean real estate.
You know
I fought there?
Yes, sir, I do.
Over 1,600 marines
died at Chosin.
We drew the line in Korea,
Lance Corporal.
This far and no further.
We're fighting
a new enemy now, sir.
We're sending a new message.
Attack us,
and we'll come after you.
You can't hide.
So, was your nephew's death
worth it, sir?
I'll say this-- it won't be
if we don't stay the course.
We can't let a
handful of thugs
run us out
of Iraq, sir.
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
Donna?
I'm sorry, ma'am.
For what?
Marines don't cry.
You're the only one who
hasn't told me a story.
I'm having a hard time
finding the words, ma'am.
Were you in
love with him?
Yes, ma'am.
Thing was, we... didn't have
a lot of time together.
A night here and there.
A weekend once.
Joe took me
to the Del Coronado Hotel.
I stayed there many years ago
with Joe's father
when he was stationed
at Pendleton.
Then you know
how special that night was.
Yeah.
Joe got
an ocean-view room.
Cost him two weeks' pay.
Did you have plans together?
He was going to see me
when he got back.
I don't know where
it would have gone,
but I'd like
to think
somewhere.
You must be proud of him.
I am.
You raised him
good.
Why do you say that?
'Cause of
the type of guy he was.
Funny.
And real kind.
I can see that in you,
ma'am.
I just...
I keep thinking of what me
and Joe might have had together.
All that's gone now.
Oh, I'm so sorry.
( soft, stifled sob )
You will find
happiness someday.
What about you?
I had my happiness early.
CHAPLAIN:
Friends, we have gathered here
to praise God
and to witness our faith
as we celebrate the life
of Private First Class
Joseph Smithfield.
We have come together in grief,
acknowledging our human loss.
May God grant us grace,
that in pain
we may find comfort,
in sorrow, hope,
in death, resurrection.
CHAPLAIN:
Oh, God, all that you
have given us is yours.
As first you gave
Joseph Smithfield to us,
now we give Joseph Smithfield
back to you.
Receive Joseph Smithfield
into the arms of your mercy.
Raise Joseph Smithfield up
with all your people.
Receive us also,
and raise us into a new life.
Help us so to love
and serve you in this world
that we may enter your joy
in the world to come. Amen.
This flag is presented
on behalf of a grateful nation
as a token
of our appreciation
for the honorable
and dutiful service
rendered by your son.
Thank you.
NCOIC:
Right face!
Port arms!
Ready!
Aim!
Fire!
( gunshots )
NCOIC:
Aim! Fire!
Aim! Fire!
Present arms!
( bugler playing "Taps" )
( "Taps" ends )
Order arms!
( people talking quietly )
MRS. SMITHFIELD:
Thank you.
What will you
do now?
Remember him
for the rest of my life.
Mrs. Smithfield, my
name is Sean Parker.
Nice to meet you,
Mr. Parker.
I'd like to tell you
about my son.
Joe comes from
a family of marines--
his father, his grandfather,
his great-grandfather.
And he was so very proud
to serve his country.
( gentle music playing )
♪ ♪
♪ ♪
♪ ♪