"Letters to the Producer"
In Memoriam of Cpl. Peter J. Courcy and Pfc. Jason R. Watson
Posted November 11th, 2014
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
I found your documentary Guard of Honor extremely touching, not only because it tells the story of one of our country’s fallen warriors, but because it gave me a new perspective of a soldier’s experiences and the terror that comes with that. I think the stories of our nation’s heroes should be told because of their service to this country, but also for the example that they set for us all. They sacrifice a lot for our freedom, and we often take that for granted. Guard of Honor just opened my eyes to the cold fact that there are people who want to take our freedom away. Then, it reminded me of the fact there are still people who are ready to fight and who are prepared to give anything for us. All soldiers give their time, but a few give everything, including their lives. Your video struck up a lot of emotion in me because I almost lost my closest friend to an IED… my Father. I don’t know how it would’ve affected me, emotionally or mentally. I just wouldn’t able to deal with it, and even though we get into fight sometimes, I still love him. So, I salute you because I know it’s not easy. Jerry, Grade 10 |
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
I recently watched Guard of Honor in my English class. I found the video to be extremely touching. It made me have a whole new respect for the people who give their lives fighting for our country. I have never seen firsthand how a death like that affects the people back home. Your video made me completely respect the sacrifice that is made by not only the soldier, but also by everyone who knew him or her. It can be hard to understand how difficult it is for the friends and family of a fallen soldier. Many people do not understand because they have never experienced it, so videos like this one are the best way to help us to understand. I believe that every person in America should watch Guard of Honor in order to better appreciate what our soldiers do for us. Making that into a feature film would open the eyes of many people who may not understand the extent of the sacrifice made when joining the military. If this were made into a feature film, I would highly advise all of the people I know to go and see it. Peter’s and Jason’s stories need to be told so that we may learn from them and give them some of the respect they deserve. Amy-Elizabeth, Grade 10 |
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
Your documentary about Jason and Peter has really inspired me. I often forget about the courageous people that fight for my country daily. The fact that these people die for my freedom is crazy to me. I cannot even fathom how brave these troops are. Watching Guard of Honor has really made me question why we forget about these people fighting for us every day. After watching your video I understand the importance in telling the stories. People need to be reminded of these soldiers and all that they do for us. These stories remind people that our freedom is not free but has been paid at a cost. Families that have gone through these struggles will know they are not alone. People need to be aware of these everyday heroes. The more people who know, the more people who will reach out and show thanks. I speak for a lot of people when I say that we take these soldiers for granted. We forget that people risk their lives daily so that we can continues to live the way we do. I now realize that we cannot ignore these men and women. How can we forget about them when we know they always keep us mind? We are the reason they fight. How could we forget the reason we’re free? Thank you for reminding me. Sylvia, Grade 11 |
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Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
Guard of Honor was very well done and should be made into a feature film. It’s a very emotional and heartrending video. After watching it, the mood in our class was pretty heavy for a while because we were all thinking about what we had watched. I thought about it off and on all day, and while we were watching, I think every one of us got teary eyed at some point.
The most touching part of the documentary is when the soldier hands the flag to Peter’s infant son and speaks to him; his whole life has changed, and he doesn’t even know it. This really makes me think about what soldiers go through, and not only them, but also their friends and families, especially if the soldier doesn’t make it home.
I liked that the video includes interviews with people who knew Peter because it humanizes Peter and makes the viewer think of him as not just a fallen soldier but as someone who was loved by a lot of people; he was someone’s father, husband, friend, and son, which makes his death even more tragic.
The scene where the community comes out to show their respects is beautiful. It made me feel proud to be part of a country where we hold our soldiers and veterans in such high esteem. It was sad because that was Peter’s funeral procession, but it was beautiful because it shows that people care. Watching Guard of Honor made me wish every fallen soldier would receive those same honors and makes me want to do more to honor their memory. They deserve at least that much for what they’ve sacrificed for us.
I think this documentary should be made into a feature film because it’s important to show the sacrifices soldiers and their families makes when they go to war. The video shows the grief of Peter’s fellow soldiers, his friends and family, and the whole community. Even if a viewer has no family in Iraq or Afghanistan, this video makes one realize that there are real people fighting and dying for our country, and they could easily be someone close to the viewer. Guard of Honor gives people a new respect for our military, what they’ve risked, or lost, for our country.
Sarah, Grade 12
Guard of Honor was very well done and should be made into a feature film. It’s a very emotional and heartrending video. After watching it, the mood in our class was pretty heavy for a while because we were all thinking about what we had watched. I thought about it off and on all day, and while we were watching, I think every one of us got teary eyed at some point.
The most touching part of the documentary is when the soldier hands the flag to Peter’s infant son and speaks to him; his whole life has changed, and he doesn’t even know it. This really makes me think about what soldiers go through, and not only them, but also their friends and families, especially if the soldier doesn’t make it home.
I liked that the video includes interviews with people who knew Peter because it humanizes Peter and makes the viewer think of him as not just a fallen soldier but as someone who was loved by a lot of people; he was someone’s father, husband, friend, and son, which makes his death even more tragic.
The scene where the community comes out to show their respects is beautiful. It made me feel proud to be part of a country where we hold our soldiers and veterans in such high esteem. It was sad because that was Peter’s funeral procession, but it was beautiful because it shows that people care. Watching Guard of Honor made me wish every fallen soldier would receive those same honors and makes me want to do more to honor their memory. They deserve at least that much for what they’ve sacrificed for us.
I think this documentary should be made into a feature film because it’s important to show the sacrifices soldiers and their families makes when they go to war. The video shows the grief of Peter’s fellow soldiers, his friends and family, and the whole community. Even if a viewer has no family in Iraq or Afghanistan, this video makes one realize that there are real people fighting and dying for our country, and they could easily be someone close to the viewer. Guard of Honor gives people a new respect for our military, what they’ve risked, or lost, for our country.
Sarah, Grade 12
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
I won’t pretend to understand how you must have felt and must still feel. I have never lost someone so close in such a tragic way; however, when I think about what it would be like to lose a friend that way, I imagine it to be one of the worst pains possible. After watching Guard of Honor, I felt a mix of emotions. At first I was very upset that this happened, but as I thought, I realized something: Peter died protecting others, and there is nothing more noble and heroic than putting the needs of others before one’s self. Peter is a hero, and the greatest honor we can give him is to make sure that he is never ever forgotten. His story needs to be told. If he is forgotten, then people have wronged him. I think you should do all you can to make this into a full-length feature film. Heroes only truly die when they are forgotten.
Danny, Grade 12
I won’t pretend to understand how you must have felt and must still feel. I have never lost someone so close in such a tragic way; however, when I think about what it would be like to lose a friend that way, I imagine it to be one of the worst pains possible. After watching Guard of Honor, I felt a mix of emotions. At first I was very upset that this happened, but as I thought, I realized something: Peter died protecting others, and there is nothing more noble and heroic than putting the needs of others before one’s self. Peter is a hero, and the greatest honor we can give him is to make sure that he is never ever forgotten. His story needs to be told. If he is forgotten, then people have wronged him. I think you should do all you can to make this into a full-length feature film. Heroes only truly die when they are forgotten.
Danny, Grade 12
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
While watching this documentary, I don’t really know what I felt. It was a weird mix of multiple emotions. I was sad simply because of the fact that another soldier had laid down his life for this country. I was also angry; honestly, I’m not entirely sure why I was. Since I hadn’t really seen any films like this before, maybe I was angry that soldiers didn’t get more recognition. I also felt sympathy for Peter’s family. His little boy receiving the flag just about broke me down. This video really got to me, but I know I needed to see it.
Making this documentary was a terrific idea, and you should definitely continue to make this into a feature film. Sad as it is, this is one of the few films I have seen that documents and honors a soldier’s death. I believe more movies like this should be made; more people need to realize what our soldiers risk for us. Many people don’t realize what the families of our soldiers go through day in and day out. I knew being a parent or sibling of a soldier was tough, but I didn’t realize just how tough it was until I watched your film. It makes me sick to think of all the soldiers who go unrecognized after making the ultimate sacrifice for America. The film you made for Peter was wonderful, and there should be more people like you who care enough to do something in honor of a soldier’s death.
Guard of Honor literally gave me chills. Some parts were harder to watch than others. To me, the hardest part was when the family members received the flags; I realized now how fortunate I am to not be a recipient of one. I’ve always had a sense of how much the Lord blessed me in the sense of family, but this documentary has really opened my eyes to the true value of his blessings. I just thank God that he hasn’t put me through any of this pain so far.
When I saw the 21 Gun Salute and the other procedures that took place during Peter’s funeral, it did make me feel a bit better because of all the care and respect that was shown, and people paying their respects to Peter and Jason was reassuring too. The fact that random people showed up along the interstate during the funeral procession showed me that there are people who care about honoring our fallen heroes. Thank you so much for making this documentary. I wish you the best in making this a feature film.
Phillipe, Grade 10
While watching this documentary, I don’t really know what I felt. It was a weird mix of multiple emotions. I was sad simply because of the fact that another soldier had laid down his life for this country. I was also angry; honestly, I’m not entirely sure why I was. Since I hadn’t really seen any films like this before, maybe I was angry that soldiers didn’t get more recognition. I also felt sympathy for Peter’s family. His little boy receiving the flag just about broke me down. This video really got to me, but I know I needed to see it.
Making this documentary was a terrific idea, and you should definitely continue to make this into a feature film. Sad as it is, this is one of the few films I have seen that documents and honors a soldier’s death. I believe more movies like this should be made; more people need to realize what our soldiers risk for us. Many people don’t realize what the families of our soldiers go through day in and day out. I knew being a parent or sibling of a soldier was tough, but I didn’t realize just how tough it was until I watched your film. It makes me sick to think of all the soldiers who go unrecognized after making the ultimate sacrifice for America. The film you made for Peter was wonderful, and there should be more people like you who care enough to do something in honor of a soldier’s death.
Guard of Honor literally gave me chills. Some parts were harder to watch than others. To me, the hardest part was when the family members received the flags; I realized now how fortunate I am to not be a recipient of one. I’ve always had a sense of how much the Lord blessed me in the sense of family, but this documentary has really opened my eyes to the true value of his blessings. I just thank God that he hasn’t put me through any of this pain so far.
When I saw the 21 Gun Salute and the other procedures that took place during Peter’s funeral, it did make me feel a bit better because of all the care and respect that was shown, and people paying their respects to Peter and Jason was reassuring too. The fact that random people showed up along the interstate during the funeral procession showed me that there are people who care about honoring our fallen heroes. Thank you so much for making this documentary. I wish you the best in making this a feature film.
Phillipe, Grade 10
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
After viewing Guard of Honor, I was filled with many different emotions. Your film showed me a side to the death of a soldier that I had never thought much about before. I have never attended the funeral of a fallen soldier, and I really didn’t know what to expect. After watching your movie, I realized the importance of showing my support, and the effect the soldier’s death and the community’s support has on a fallen soldier’s family. Guard of Honor made me want to show my support even more to every soldier. It made me want to give every fallen soldier a homecoming just like the one Peter received. I feel that others should see this movie so that they can understand the trauma and the pain that a fallen soldier’s family and friends go through. Peter’s story is very touching and may change many people’s views because the death of a soldier doesn’t stay on a battlefield; the death of a soldier lives on in his or her family and friends. It wasn’t until I watched Guard of Honor that I completely comprehended that. When people decide to join the military, it’s not a choice that affects only them, but it affects everyone around them, too. Your film has the potential to help many others realize the same things I realized. Through your movie, I was touched in many ways. I was shown the importance of showing support to the families of fallen soldiers and the impact the loss has on them. Your movie, with added material, would be a great movie in theaters. I would like to see more of Peter’s childhood and the decisions that lead him to the military. I would also like to see interviews with Peter’s family (granted, I know it would be a very emotional subject) because it would add so much to the movie. I feel that everyone who sees your film would be changed. Guard of Honor is that powerful. It is a touching story that needs to be told. Kevin, Grade 12 |
Dear Guard of Honor Producer,
This film actually had a huge impact on me. I really didn’t think it would because I didn’t know Peter or Jason. However, once I started watching it, I could really feel the emotion in the interviews. It made me understand that, whether I knew them or not, these were real flesh-and-blood people who sacrificed their lives for this country. They were someone’s sons. They were someone’s friends. They were loved. And now they’re gone. That was the message this film conveyed to me, and it was very powerful. I think this film should definitely be made into a feature-length movie because I think that everyone should be able to experience this sort of emotion. I think that this knowledge of the men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives for us every day should be brought to as wide an audience as possible because it really puts our lives into perspective to think of all the people willing to risk their lives so we won’t have to. I think that this is a really great way to pay respect to Peter, as well as to all those who have died fighting the war on terror. I think this should definitely be made into a feature-length film. This is a really wonderful thing you’re doing, and I have a lot of respect for you for taking up the burden of keeping Peter and Jason’s spirits alive. Rocky, Grade 10 |