Classic Movies - American War Heroes: Alvin York

We would like to honor our veterans on Memorial Day. Here is a poem we found that we would like to share in remembrance of those who bravely fought and/or died for our freedom.

A National Moment of Remembrance On Memorial Day

by Del “Abe” Jones 4-25-2005

That poem about where “poppies blow”

And, “the crosses, row on row”

Still rings true, these ninety years

After written, still brings tears.

We still have Dead, “amid the guns”

And lose our young and our loved ones

Those who lived, “short days ago”

Who, “felt dawn, saw sunset glow”.

In Flanders Fields, “the poppy red”

Still grow near where the blood was bled

They, “Take up our quarrel with the foe”

And still die for Freedoms that we know.

They pass, “The torch” to, “hold it high”

And not, “break the faith with us who die”

For they, “shall not sleep, though poppies grow”

Beneath all those, “crosses, row on row”

In Flanders Fields.

This week, let's talk Classic Movies of American War Heroes! There are three movies we would like to share that were made about actual American war heroes from WW I and WW II: Sergeant York (1941), Sgt. Alvin York, a WW I war hero portrayed by Gary Cooper; To Hell and Back (1955), Second Lt. Audie Murphy, a WW II war hero, starring Audie Murphy as himself; and The Fighting Sullivans (1944), George, Frank, Joe, Matt, and Al - five brothers who grew up together and all joined the Navy during WW II.

The American war hero classic movie that we are featuring today is one in which Gary Cooper played a real American hero of World War I. It also captured for him the first of his two best actor “Oscars”. Of course, that film is Sergeant York (1941), with Joan Leslie and Walter Brennan. As the hillbilly sharpshooter from Tennessee who became one of the most decorated heroes of “The Great War”, Gary Cooper was a perfect fit for the title character. He was, in fact, the only actor the real Sgt. Alvin York (who had to give his consent) would even consider for the role. We think you’ll agree that Gary Cooper is wonderful to watch as his character transforms from drunken rowdy to converted Christian and from “conscientious objector” to war hero. 'Alvin York' declares throughout the movie, “The Lord sure does move in mysterious ways”, a statement that rings true time and again in the extraordinary biographical story of Sergeant York. We love this film and think you will, too.

We hope you enjoy the Sgt. Alvin York Tribute. He was a true American hero who risked his life for the safety of the men around him, and for the freedoms we all still enjoy over ninety years later.

**Trivia Question for Today: When shooting at enemy soldiers, what trick did Sgt. York use to coax them out in the open?

Trivia Answer for Previous Post: Katharine Hepburn was nominated for an Academy Award for best actress 12 times in her career. The other film she made with Cary Grant was Sylvia Scarlett (1935).