[Music] memory is a powerful thing there are
memory is a powerful thing there are
memory is a powerful thing there are some events that stick in the mind
forever defining the difference between
forever defining the difference between before
before
before and after and instantly redefining
and after and instantly redefining
and after and instantly redefining everything that matters
everything that matters
everything that matters for the soldiers and families of the
for the soldiers and families of the
for the soldiers and families of the Army’s first Cavalry Division memories
Army’s first Cavalry Division memories
Army’s first Cavalry Division memories of April 4th 2004 still loom large where
of April 4th 2004 still loom large where
of April 4th 2004 still loom large where the hell is everyone
stories summed up in a single date that
stories summed up in a single date that is come to be known simply as black
is come to be known simply as black
is come to be known simply as black Sunday you make memories on days like
Sunday you make memories on days like
Sunday you make memories on days like April 4th that you never forget about no
April 4th that you never forget about no
April 4th that you never forget about no matter how much you want to reconciling
matter how much you want to reconciling
matter how much you want to reconciling these memories can be the work of a
these memories can be the work of a
these memories can be the work of a lifetime
lifetime
lifetime simply revisiting them takes an uncommon
simply revisiting them takes an uncommon
simply revisiting them takes an uncommon bravery everybody was scared and we’re
bravery everybody was scared and we’re
bravery everybody was scared and we’re all human I thought I was gonna die out
all human I thought I was gonna die out
all human I thought I was gonna die out there me creating these moments his work
there me creating these moments his work
there me creating these moments his work of another kind requiring an equally
of another kind requiring an equally
of another kind requiring an equally uncommon passion I took the
uncommon passion I took the
uncommon passion I took the responsibility very seriously that this
responsibility very seriously that this
responsibility very seriously that this was a true story and we’re dealing with
was a true story and we’re dealing with
was a true story and we’re dealing with real-life people I am humbled to be a
real-life people I am humbled to be a
real-life people I am humbled to be a part of this I feel so much privileged I
part of this I feel so much privileged I
part of this I feel so much privileged I feel very honored to tell this story 13
feel very honored to tell this story 13
feel very honored to tell this story 13 years after black Sunday National
years after black Sunday National
years after black Sunday National Geographic and a dedicated team of
Geographic and a dedicated team of
Geographic and a dedicated team of filmmakers are bringing these events to
filmmakers are bringing these events to
filmmakers are bringing these events to life working hand in hand with the
life working hand in hand with the
life working hand in hand with the soldiers and families who were there to
soldiers and families who were there to
soldiers and families who were there to tell their stories and honor the memory
tell their stories and honor the memory
tell their stories and honor the memory of those who were lost I owe it to them
of those who were lost I owe it to them
of those who were lost I owe it to them to do this the best that I can because
to do this the best that I can because
to do this the best that I can because the country should know this is first
the country should know this is first
the country should know this is first look the long road home sir
[Music]
[Music] April 4th 2004 was the fourth day in
April 4th 2004 was the fourth day in
April 4th 2004 was the fourth day in Iraq for a 1st Cavalry Division platoon
Iraq for a 1st Cavalry Division platoon
Iraq for a 1st Cavalry Division platoon so 19 men were out on sanitation duty
so 19 men were out on sanitation duty
so 19 men were out on sanitation duty how is this warrior’s work none of these
how is this warrior’s work none of these
how is this warrior’s work none of these men had ever been in combat before
men had ever been in combat before
men had ever been in combat before welcome to Sadr City Jackson they
welcome to Sadr City Jackson they
welcome to Sadr City Jackson they thought they were going to keep the
thought they were going to keep the
thought they were going to keep the peace over there we wanted to work with
peace over there we wanted to work with
peace over there we wanted to work with the people and do something positive and
the people and do something positive and
the people and do something positive and not just roll in there like an
not just roll in there like an
not just roll in there like an occupation force let’s try to keep the
occupation force let’s try to keep the
occupation force let’s try to keep the peace everyone return to base
peace everyone return to base
peace everyone return to base Roger that Lancer six and then just as
Roger that Lancer six and then just as
Roger that Lancer six and then just as they’re about to head back to their
they’re about to head back to their
they’re about to head back to their Forward Operating Base listen is that
Forward Operating Base listen is that
Forward Operating Base listen is that they were ambushed within minutes we
they were ambushed within minutes we
they were ambushed within minutes we came under fire from essentially all
came under fire from essentially all
came under fire from essentially all directions sure their vehicles became
directions sure their vehicles became
directions sure their vehicles became disabled we gotta get the hell off of
disabled we gotta get the hell off of
disabled we gotta get the hell off of this straight so they had to seek
this straight so they had to seek
this straight so they had to seek shelter in the sea and became trapped
shelter in the sea and became trapped
shelter in the sea and became trapped with a family in the middle of this maze
with a family in the middle of this maze
with a family in the middle of this maze but no one had any idea where they were
but no one had any idea where they were
but no one had any idea where they were we just heard something happened in Sadr
we just heard something happened in Sadr
we just heard something happened in Sadr City it is just a peacekeeping mission
City it is just a peacekeeping mission
City it is just a peacekeeping mission I’ll be fine
I’ll be fine
I’ll be fine so now equally newly-arrived men who
so now equally newly-arrived men who
so now equally newly-arrived men who didn’t know the city had to go in in
didn’t know the city had to go in in
didn’t know the city had to go in in unarmored Humvees and open trucks to get
unarmored Humvees and open trucks to get
unarmored Humvees and open trucks to get their brothers sitting ducks a litany of
their brothers sitting ducks a litany of
their brothers sitting ducks a litany of rescue attempts went out to try to get
rescue attempts went out to try to get
rescue attempts went out to try to get to where these guys were pinned down
to where these guys were pinned down
to where these guys were pinned down stay alert
stay alert
stay alert Lancer six and rescue two are inbound
Lancer six and rescue two are inbound
Lancer six and rescue two are inbound three more blocks the Delta sir
three more blocks the Delta sir
three more blocks the Delta sir burning debris ahead on the way their
burning debris ahead on the way their
burning debris ahead on the way their roads are blocked off and they’re
roads are blocked off and they’re
roads are blocked off and they’re shooting at them from all angles it was
shooting at them from all angles it was
shooting at them from all angles it was an extraordinarily grave and costly
an extraordinarily grave and costly
an extraordinarily grave and costly rescue mission
it knocked the wind out of everyone
it knocked the wind out of everyone soldiers there and Iraq and then also
soldiers there and Iraq and then also
soldiers there and Iraq and then also everyone at home losing to somebody and
everyone at home losing to somebody and
everyone at home losing to somebody and then just said there was an ambush in
then just said there was an ambush in
then just said there was an ambush in Baghdad four soldiers did what I think
Baghdad four soldiers did what I think
Baghdad four soldiers did what I think you’re always somewhere deep down
you’re always somewhere deep down
you’re always somewhere deep down waiting for that call and hoping that it
waiting for that call and hoping that it
waiting for that call and hoping that it never comes no one’s contacted you know
never comes no one’s contacted you know
never comes no one’s contacted you know I’ve been an attack in Iraq the person
I’ve been an attack in Iraq the person
I’ve been an attack in Iraq the person who fights overseas isn’t the only one
who fights overseas isn’t the only one
who fights overseas isn’t the only one at war the whole family goes to war boy
at war the whole family goes to war boy
at war the whole family goes to war boy what’s happening platoon was ambushed in
what’s happening platoon was ambushed in
what’s happening platoon was ambushed in Sadr City for dead at least 40 wounded
we are all very mindful of our solemn
we are all very mindful of our solemn responsibility in telling this story and
responsibility in telling this story and
responsibility in telling this story and we are especially mindful today on April
we are especially mindful today on April
we are especially mindful today on April 4th which this year marks the 13th
4th which this year marks the 13th
4th which this year marks the 13th anniversary of black Sunday and the
anniversary of black Sunday and the
anniversary of black Sunday and the battles in Sadr City that we are
battles in Sadr City that we are
battles in Sadr City that we are retelling the world today’s been more
retelling the world today’s been more
retelling the world today’s been more than I could have imagined from the
than I could have imagined from the
than I could have imagined from the moment that we got together this morning
moment that we got together this morning
moment that we got together this morning with the crew and the cast and our guys
with the crew and the cast and our guys
with the crew and the cast and our guys did the moment of silence I thought that
did the moment of silence I thought that
did the moment of silence I thought that was a perfect way to start the day I’d
was a perfect way to start the day I’d
was a perfect way to start the day I’d like to read the names of the Fallen we
like to read the names of the Fallen we
like to read the names of the Fallen we will observe a moment of silence at the
will observe a moment of silence at the
will observe a moment of silence at the beginning of the whistle and a whistle
beginning of the whistle and a whistle
beginning of the whistle and a whistle will mark the end thank you all it was
will mark the end thank you all it was
will mark the end thank you all it was very emotional I remember crying the
very emotional I remember crying the
very emotional I remember crying the numerous times in front of complete
numerous times in front of complete
numerous times in front of complete strangers but it was a bonding moment I
strangers but it was a bonding moment I
strangers but it was a bonding moment I just to be actually here with gold star
just to be actually here with gold star
just to be actually here with gold star family members and the people whose
family members and the people whose
family members and the people whose children died coming out to try to save
children died coming out to try to save
children died coming out to try to save me really put a new perspective on pain
me really put a new perspective on pain
me really put a new perspective on pain because it’s been so that I’ve been
because it’s been so that I’ve been
because it’s been so that I’ve been avoiding for a long time it’s you know
avoiding for a long time it’s you know
avoiding for a long time it’s you know how do you walk it to somebody and say
how do you walk it to somebody and say
how do you walk it to somebody and say you know I’m alive did your son died you
you know I’m alive did your son died you
you know I’m alive did your son died you know I’m then shown pictures of your
know I’m then shown pictures of your
know I’m then shown pictures of your kids
kids
kids it was a rough day but I’m glad it
it was a rough day but I’m glad it
it was a rough day but I’m glad it happened because a lot of healing for me
happened because a lot of healing for me
happened because a lot of healing for me individually just happened that day even
individually just happened that day even
individually just happened that day even though it took a lot of time but it was
though it took a lot of time but it was
though it took a lot of time but it was a good experience good Black Flag’s I
a good experience good Black Flag’s I
a good experience good Black Flag’s I didn’t realize it just had those until
didn’t realize it just had those until
didn’t realize it just had those until now that was just put those up look
now that was just put those up look
now that was just put those up look spot-on doesn’t a lot of other veterans
spot-on doesn’t a lot of other veterans
spot-on doesn’t a lot of other veterans are able to go back to their
are able to go back to their
are able to go back to their battlefields whereas we won’t
battlefields whereas we won’t
battlefields whereas we won’t I don’t think we’ll do it anytime in
I don’t think we’ll do it anytime in
I don’t think we’ll do it anytime in this lifetime this little thing on the
this lifetime this little thing on the
this lifetime this little thing on the wall over here gets me cuz I remember
wall over here gets me cuz I remember
wall over here gets me cuz I remember that spot and they did a pretty good job
that spot and they did a pretty good job
that spot and they did a pretty good job of reproducing it the the writing over
of reproducing it the the writing over
of reproducing it the the writing over here on the side now I get this
here on the side now I get this
here on the side now I get this opportunity while they’re young just
opportunity while they’re young just
opportunity while they’re young just still be able to go through and see it
still be able to go through and see it
still be able to go through and see it feel it touch it kick the dirt lettuce
feel it touch it kick the dirt lettuce
feel it touch it kick the dirt lettuce ting our eyes the only thing that’s not
ting our eyes the only thing that’s not
ting our eyes the only thing that’s not here the smell right now it’s been an
here the smell right now it’s been an
here the smell right now it’s been an incredibly massive operation here in
incredibly massive operation here in
incredibly massive operation here in Fort Hood these are the two houses right
Fort Hood these are the two houses right
Fort Hood these are the two houses right here
the scope of this set is just incredible
the scope of this set is just incredible we’re standing at the end of an 800 foot
we’re standing at the end of an 800 foot
we’re standing at the end of an 800 foot long road so we’ve constructed 1,500
long road so we’ve constructed 1,500
long road so we’ve constructed 1,500 feet worth of Sadr City in various
feet worth of Sadr City in various
feet worth of Sadr City in various interpretations there’s over a hundred
interpretations there’s over a hundred
interpretations there’s over a hundred buildings that we have constructed to
buildings that we have constructed to
buildings that we have constructed to recreate Sadr City this is more than
recreate Sadr City this is more than
recreate Sadr City this is more than three football fields long it is the
three football fields long it is the
three football fields long it is the largest set working in North America
largest set working in North America
largest set working in North America today I have a photograph of you
today I have a photograph of you
today I have a photograph of you standing right here so the photograph is
standing right here so the photograph is
standing right here so the photograph is you like this
you like this
you like this you took your helmet off and you got in
you took your helmet off and you got in
you took your helmet off and you got in a lot of trouble for taking your helmet
a lot of trouble for taking your helmet
a lot of trouble for taking your helmet off Martha Raddatz is a news
off Martha Raddatz is a news
off Martha Raddatz is a news correspondent that had spent time with
correspondent that had spent time with
correspondent that had spent time with us over in Iraq she really saw the
us over in Iraq she really saw the
us over in Iraq she really saw the experience that we had had was something
experience that we had had was something
experience that we had had was something significant and she just kept coming
significant and she just kept coming
significant and she just kept coming back throughout our year that we were
back throughout our year that we were
back throughout our year that we were there when I was writing the book I
there when I was writing the book I
there when I was writing the book I never imagined that someday I would see
never imagined that someday I would see
never imagined that someday I would see this recreated yeah
this recreated yeah
this recreated yeah I’d heard the story about this battle
I’d heard the story about this battle
I’d heard the story about this battle and reporters were also caught up and
and reporters were also caught up and
and reporters were also caught up and covering policy or covering where were
covering policy or covering where were
covering policy or covering where were they at WMDs that we’d forgotten there
they at WMDs that we’d forgotten there
they at WMDs that we’d forgotten there was a war going on good to see you how
was a war going on good to see you how
was a war going on good to see you how are you no one had asked them those
are you no one had asked them those
are you no one had asked them those questions and I think for them and for
questions and I think for them and for
questions and I think for them and for their spouses just talking about that
their spouses just talking about that
their spouses just talking about that was healthy and helpful like there was a
was healthy and helpful like there was a
was healthy and helpful like there was a guy about 100 yards that way that’s the
guy about 100 yards that way that’s the
guy about 100 yards that way that’s the first guy I can clearly remember gauging
first guy I can clearly remember gauging
first guy I can clearly remember gauging engaging once we were on the rooftop
engaging once we were on the rooftop
engaging once we were on the rooftop when Mike Medavoy first sent me the book
when Mike Medavoy first sent me the book
when Mike Medavoy first sent me the book I just fell in love with it it wasn’t
I just fell in love with it it wasn’t
I just fell in love with it it wasn’t just a story about what it’s like to
just a story about what it’s like to
just a story about what it’s like to really go to war for the first time for
really go to war for the first time for
really go to war for the first time for the American soldier but also for the
the American soldier but also for the
the American soldier but also for the American military family
American military family
American military family she loves the troops and it’s proven and
she loves the troops and it’s proven and
she loves the troops and it’s proven and everything she does I felt like this
everything she does I felt like this
everything she does I felt like this civilian bridge to the military I could
civilian bridge to the military I could
civilian bridge to the military I could talk to the spouses in ways that their
talk to the spouses in ways that their
talk to the spouses in ways that their husbands sometimes didn’t talk to them
husbands sometimes didn’t talk to them
husbands sometimes didn’t talk to them I feel like she rescued all these
I feel like she rescued all these
I feel like she rescued all these soldiers all these families from being
soldiers all these families from being
soldiers all these families from being lost to history and that that is the
lost to history and that that is the
lost to history and that that is the work that we are carrying forward here
work that we are carrying forward here
work that we are carrying forward here [Music]
[Music]
[Music] the soldiers in this story are the
the soldiers in this story are the
the soldiers in this story are the everyday guys stay safe out there Thomas
everyday guys stay safe out there Thomas
everyday guys stay safe out there Thomas well there is close to Hugh and me as
well there is close to Hugh and me as
well there is close to Hugh and me as anybody can be most of them never
anybody can be most of them never
anybody can be most of them never imagined they would be in combat none of
imagined they would be in combat none of
imagined they would be in combat none of them had ever fired a weapon at an enemy
them had ever fired a weapon at an enemy
them had ever fired a weapon at an enemy or had been fired on by the enemy I
or had been fired on by the enemy I
or had been fired on by the enemy I think that just made the heroism and
think that just made the heroism and
think that just made the heroism and bravery of that day all the more
bravery of that day all the more
bravery of that day all the more extraordinary the scope of the story is
extraordinary the scope of the story is
extraordinary the scope of the story is really enormous the structure that I
really enormous the structure that I
really enormous the structure that I proposed was very ambitious where we
proposed was very ambitious where we
proposed was very ambitious where we would have eight main characters who we
would have eight main characters who we
would have eight main characters who we follow through the entire event almost
follow through the entire event almost
follow through the entire event almost in real time and each hour would mark
in real time and each hour would mark
in real time and each hour would mark one of the big defining moments in this
one of the big defining moments in this
one of the big defining moments in this battle it represented this fascinating
battle it represented this fascinating
battle it represented this fascinating puzzle to put together well who do you
puzzle to put together well who do you
puzzle to put together well who do you choose what hour belongs to which
choose what hour belongs to which
choose what hour belongs to which character
we are very honored to be doing this
we are very honored to be doing this project with the support and assistance
project with the support and assistance
project with the support and assistance of the United States Army and Department
of the United States Army and Department
of the United States Army and Department of Defense who have been such amazing
of Defense who have been such amazing
of Defense who have been such amazing partners to us from the beginning
partners to us from the beginning
partners to us from the beginning Miko’s dedication to this project is
Miko’s dedication to this project is
Miko’s dedication to this project is infinite
infinite
infinite he has taken years to reach out to the
he has taken years to reach out to the
he has taken years to reach out to the families to soldiers to get every detail
families to soldiers to get every detail
families to soldiers to get every detail right we kept in contact through emails
right we kept in contact through emails
right we kept in contact through emails and the news constantly sending me
and the news constantly sending me
and the news constantly sending me pictures he has been wonderful through
pictures he has been wonderful through
pictures he has been wonderful through the whole thing
it’s almost like closure it’s a
it’s almost like closure it’s a different kind of closure that was his
different kind of closure that was his
different kind of closure that was his gift to us
Oh meet you he loves these guys he loves
Oh meet you he loves these guys he loves them like I do
them like I do
them like I do he loves these families he knows them
he loves these families he knows them
he loves these families he knows them like I do shooting the two directors
like I do shooting the two directors
like I do shooting the two directors that were working with our Phil Abraham
that were working with our Phil Abraham
that were working with our Phil Abraham and Mikhail Solomon one of the things
and Mikhail Solomon one of the things
and Mikhail Solomon one of the things that we knew about Phil Abraham from the
that we knew about Phil Abraham from the
that we knew about Phil Abraham from the work on Mad Men and Sopranos is that he
work on Mad Men and Sopranos is that he
work on Mad Men and Sopranos is that he was very much interested in the journey
was very much interested in the journey
was very much interested in the journey of the character and was able to focus
of the character and was able to focus
of the character and was able to focus on that as being a guiding storytelling
on that as being a guiding storytelling
on that as being a guiding storytelling principle I almost nearing black I’m not
principle I almost nearing black I’m not
principle I almost nearing black I’m not sure how long we have now we’ll come and
sure how long we have now we’ll come and
sure how long we have now we’ll come and read one we’re gonna get you out over I
read one we’re gonna get you out over I
read one we’re gonna get you out over I wanted someone who would really get to
wanted someone who would really get to
wanted someone who would really get to the heart of who these characters were
the heart of who these characters were
the heart of who these characters were and phil has done a remarkable job with
and phil has done a remarkable job with
and phil has done a remarkable job with that Mikael did Band of Brothers and
that Mikael did Band of Brothers and
that Mikael did Band of Brothers and it’s been wonderful being able to
it’s been wonderful being able to
it’s been wonderful being able to entrust him to realizing all these
entrust him to realizing all these
entrust him to realizing all these battles and ways that feel new every
battles and ways that feel new every
battles and ways that feel new every time
we realized the marryin of the two types
we realized the marryin of the two types of storytellers was going to give us an
of storytellers was going to give us an
of storytellers was going to give us an emotional journey that was a character
emotional journey that was a character
emotional journey that was a character journey but also could bring us into
journey but also could bring us into
journey but also could bring us into what the experience of war was like at
what the experience of war was like at
what the experience of war was like at all times be aware
all times be aware
all times be aware this is a skilled and highly prepared
this is a skilled and highly prepared
this is a skilled and highly prepared enemy who is coordinated a citywide
enemy who is coordinated a citywide
enemy who is coordinated a citywide attack
attack
attack [Music]
what struck me about this story was that
what struck me about this story was that these wives back home had no idea that
these wives back home had no idea that
these wives back home had no idea that their husbands were in the middle of a
their husbands were in the middle of a
their husbands were in the middle of a terrible terrible battle their lives
terrible terrible battle their lives
terrible terrible battle their lives were just going on until that moment
were just going on until that moment
were just going on until that moment when they knew if their lives changed
when they knew if their lives changed
when they knew if their lives changed okhla tunes been attacked the wives all
okhla tunes been attacked the wives all
okhla tunes been attacked the wives all rely on each other please get them home
rely on each other please get them home
rely on each other please get them home to us they also turned to the readiness
to us they also turned to the readiness
to us they also turned to the readiness group which helps them cope with the
group which helps them cope with the
group which helps them cope with the very specific stresses that having a
very specific stresses that having a
very specific stresses that having a husband deployed create always remember
husband deployed create always remember
husband deployed create always remember that you’re not alone family readiness
that you’re not alone family readiness
that you’re not alone family readiness is family having served in the Army
is family having served in the Army
is family having served in the Army gives LeAnn Valesky a perspective that a
gives LeAnn Valesky a perspective that a
gives LeAnn Valesky a perspective that a lot of the other wives don’t she knows
lot of the other wives don’t she knows
lot of the other wives don’t she knows what it’s like to stand in shoes like
what it’s like to stand in shoes like
what it’s like to stand in shoes like your husband’s the Lord never gives us
your husband’s the Lord never gives us
your husband’s the Lord never gives us more than we can handle her I wish I had
more than we can handle her I wish I had
more than we can handle her I wish I had your faith self-doubt is something that
your faith self-doubt is something that
your faith self-doubt is something that we all face Gina had enemy had multiple
we all face Gina had enemy had multiple
we all face Gina had enemy had multiple facets relating to that one of them was
facets relating to that one of them was
facets relating to that one of them was being a new mom but then also
being a new mom but then also
being a new mom but then also participating in the care groups the way
participating in the care groups the way
participating in the care groups the way that she did that was very new for her
that she did that was very new for her
that she did that was very new for her Gina had to learn to become a leader in
Gina had to learn to become a leader in
Gina had to learn to become a leader in that way I promise as soon as we’re able
that way I promise as soon as we’re able
that way I promise as soon as we’re able we will contact you and hopefully with
we will contact you and hopefully with
we will contact you and hopefully with good news so she’s an extraordinary
good news so she’s an extraordinary
good news so she’s an extraordinary woman I feel very very honored to play
woman I feel very very honored to play
woman I feel very very honored to play her playing a real person who went
her playing a real person who went
her playing a real person who went through this it’s an extreme
through this it’s an extreme
through this it’s an extreme responsibility and it’s not when I take
responsibility and it’s not when I take
responsibility and it’s not when I take lightly the best I can do is honor her
lightly the best I can do is honor her
lightly the best I can do is honor her story and play the situations that have
story and play the situations that have
story and play the situations that have been written as truthfully as possible I
been written as truthfully as possible I
been written as truthfully as possible I love you Alpha Company in this story was
love you Alpha Company in this story was
love you Alpha Company in this story was mostly african-american and Hispanic
mostly african-american and Hispanic
mostly african-american and Hispanic soldiers I want to make sure at the
soldiers I want to make sure at the
soldiers I want to make sure at the diversity of our armed forces was
diversity of our armed forces was
diversity of our armed forces was accurately represented and again their
accurately represented and again their
accurately represented and again their case we looked at who had interesting
case we looked at who had interesting
case we looked at who had interesting stories that could speak to the unit as
stories that could speak to the unit as
stories that could speak to the unit as a whole I got a bad feeling man just
a whole I got a bad feeling man just
a whole I got a bad feeling man just said close and I just thought there was
said close and I just thought there was
said close and I just thought there was something so beautiful about the
something so beautiful about the
something so beautiful about the friendship between Robert RCR Inez reale
friendship between Robert RCR Inez reale
friendship between Robert RCR Inez reale Garza who are just these ordinary guys I
Garza who are just these ordinary guys I
Garza who are just these ordinary guys I never had a brother before you I was
never had a brother before you I was
never had a brother before you I was surprised how close they came to those
surprised how close they came to those
surprised how close they came to those characters they really did capture who
characters they really did capture who
characters they really did capture who those people are
[Music]
[Music] michael kelly is a brilliant actor and
michael kelly is a brilliant actor and
michael kelly is a brilliant actor and he plays lieutenant Gary Valesky our
he plays lieutenant Gary Valesky our
he plays lieutenant Gary Valesky our commander in the field I’m a general of
commander in the field I’m a general of
commander in the field I’m a general of Pulaski I mean probably one of the
Pulaski I mean probably one of the
Pulaski I mean probably one of the coolest moments I’ve had in my life
coolest moments I’ve had in my life
coolest moments I’ve had in my life everything I do is to try to figure out
everything I do is to try to figure out
everything I do is to try to figure out how I can help them because last time I
how I can help them because last time I
how I can help them because last time I looked there was no ground chicken at
looked there was no ground chicken at
looked there was no ground chicken at the door that’s the number one night
the door that’s the number one night
the door that’s the number one night it’s a private especially once I
it’s a private especially once I
it’s a private especially once I understood fully for the first time how
understood fully for the first time how
understood fully for the first time how every one of his men that I’ve talked to
every one of his men that I’ve talked to
every one of his men that I’ve talked to said they’d follow him into hell I got
said they’d follow him into hell I got
said they’d follow him into hell I got it
molesky yeah it’s such a love and warmth
molesky yeah it’s such a love and warmth toward his men so I wanted to find an
toward his men so I wanted to find an
toward his men so I wanted to find an actor who could embody flawlessly those
actor who could embody flawlessly those
actor who could embody flawlessly those two qualities and Michael is just
two qualities and Michael is just
two qualities and Michael is just extraordinary brother right NASA a
extraordinary brother right NASA a
extraordinary brother right NASA a Crusader loader who was killed you find
Crusader loader who was killed you find
Crusader loader who was killed you find out his first name when where he was
out his first name when where he was
out his first name when where he was from yes sir I wanted to do the best job
from yes sir I wanted to do the best job
from yes sir I wanted to do the best job I can do because it’s a man that I now
I can do because it’s a man that I now
I can do because it’s a man that I now idolized in life you guys want to make
idolized in life you guys want to make
idolized in life you guys want to make it back to base without any more
it back to base without any more
it back to base without any more casualties huh then we have to work
casualties huh then we have to work
casualties huh then we have to work together
together
together EJ buddy uh plays lieutenant Shane
EJ buddy uh plays lieutenant Shane
EJ buddy uh plays lieutenant Shane agüero who showed uncommon valor and
agüero who showed uncommon valor and
agüero who showed uncommon valor and leading his guys and even when all hope
leading his guys and even when all hope
leading his guys and even when all hope was lost it kept hope alive the number
was lost it kept hope alive the number
was lost it kept hope alive the number of places that building can come under
of places that building can come under
of places that building can come under fire from in retrospect there’s a lot
fire from in retrospect there’s a lot
fire from in retrospect there’s a lot more than this game the problem was it’s
more than this game the problem was it’s
more than this game the problem was it’s also a lot harder to get here first
also a lot harder to get here first
also a lot harder to get here first which defines us
which defines us
which defines us he is an unassuming hero but when it
he is an unassuming hero but when it
he is an unassuming hero but when it comes down to it he’s the guy you want
comes down to it he’s the guy you want
comes down to it he’s the guy you want by your side when you’re at war
by your side when you’re at war
by your side when you’re at war we will never forget our brothers what
we will never forget our brothers what
we will never forget our brothers what they did for us and there will be time
they did for us and there will be time
they did for us and there will be time to grieve Jason Ritter plays captained
to grieve Jason Ritter plays captained
to grieve Jason Ritter plays captained enemy is this incredible character who
enemy is this incredible character who
enemy is this incredible character who despite being wounded multiple times
despite being wounded multiple times
despite being wounded multiple times went back out in the field to rescue
went back out in the field to rescue
went back out in the field to rescue these guys and led his troops into the
these guys and led his troops into the
these guys and led his troops into the eye of the storm
Robert miltenberger to me is one of the
Robert miltenberger to me is one of the most fascinating characters in the story
most fascinating characters in the story
most fascinating characters in the story he’s deeply embittered by the fact that
he’s deeply embittered by the fact that
he’s deeply embittered by the fact that he’s been stopped lost and on top of
he’s been stopped lost and on top of
he’s been stopped lost and on top of that and has to certainty that he’s
that and has to certainty that he’s
that and has to certainty that he’s going to die it’s pretty impressive the
going to die it’s pretty impressive the
going to die it’s pretty impressive the fact that you were able to cut out and
fact that you were able to cut out and
fact that you were able to cut out and that in the calm in the midst of all
that in the calm in the midst of all
that in the calm in the midst of all that was uh I’m probably surprised me
that was uh I’m probably surprised me
that was uh I’m probably surprised me too I was never scared
I was never scared I guess I was ready
I was never scared I guess I was ready yeah
yeah
yeah it was my time I was ready Robert
it was my time I was ready Robert
it was my time I was ready Robert actually is in some ways healthier than
actually is in some ways healthier than
actually is in some ways healthier than some other soldiers that weren’t
some other soldiers that weren’t
some other soldiers that weren’t consciously aware of the sadness the
consciously aware of the sadness the
consciously aware of the sadness the tragedy of it all there’s no glory out
tragedy of it all there’s no glory out
tragedy of it all there’s no glory out there no heroes it’s just death
there no heroes it’s just death
there no heroes it’s just death [Music]
markku day I had you worked I’m playing
markku day I had you worked I’m playing Jos amantani I’m the midpoint between
Jos amantani I’m the midpoint between
Jos amantani I’m the midpoint between the Iraqis and the Americans delish we
the Iraqis and the Americans delish we
the Iraqis and the Americans delish we are I’m constantly having to choose
are I’m constantly having to choose
are I’m constantly having to choose where my allegiance is life Johnson sir
where my allegiance is life Johnson sir
where my allegiance is life Johnson sir take it sir you cannot give him a weapon
take it sir you cannot give him a weapon
take it sir you cannot give him a weapon some of the soldiers distrust my
some of the soldiers distrust my
some of the soldiers distrust my character because their lives are at
character because their lives are at
character because their lives are at stake
stake
stake and they don’t know me this was a
and they don’t know me this was a
and they don’t know me this was a well-planned ambush somebody tipped the
well-planned ambush somebody tipped the
well-planned ambush somebody tipped the enemy off to our movements I’m playing
enemy off to our movements I’m playing
enemy off to our movements I’m playing sergeant Eric Burke when his squad
sergeant Eric Burke when his squad
sergeant Eric Burke when his squad leader he kind of represents the
leader he kind of represents the
leader he kind of represents the violence of action
violence of action
violence of action he’s the bulldozer a guy you don’t want
he’s the bulldozer a guy you don’t want
he’s the bulldozer a guy you don’t want to mess with our first choices said yes
to mess with our first choices said yes
to mess with our first choices said yes on this show for the cast and nowhere
on this show for the cast and nowhere
on this show for the cast and nowhere was that more important than in the
was that more important than in the
was that more important than in the homefront the way we shot the show we
homefront the way we shot the show we
homefront the way we shot the show we did all the homefront work up front so
did all the homefront work up front so
did all the homefront work up front so literally nine ten days after shooting
literally nine ten days after shooting
literally nine ten days after shooting began we never saw our ladies again ever
began we never saw our ladies again ever
began we never saw our ladies again ever you know before he left
you know before he left
you know before he left sure he said in ancient times wives went
sure he said in ancient times wives went
sure he said in ancient times wives went to war with their husbands
to war with their husbands
to war with their husbands I guess we still do that in a way
I guess we still do that in a way
I guess we still do that in a way everyone who’s been a part of this has
everyone who’s been a part of this has
everyone who’s been a part of this has taken it on like a personal mission to
taken it on like a personal mission to
taken it on like a personal mission to shine a light on this event and to honor
shine a light on this event and to honor
shine a light on this event and to honor it in the best way that we can are you
it in the best way that we can are you
it in the best way that we can are you two together that’s good we would
two together that’s good we would
two together that’s good we would believe to do right by them cool and to
believe to do right by them cool and to
believe to do right by them cool and to get to meet the real heroes that we’re
get to meet the real heroes that we’re
get to meet the real heroes that we’re portraying and have them bring us in for
portraying and have them bring us in for
portraying and have them bring us in for a hug and say hey man we think you’re
a hug and say hey man we think you’re
a hug and say hey man we think you’re gonna do a great job we trust you and
gonna do a great job we trust you and
gonna do a great job we trust you and you have our blessing I feel so much
you have our blessing I feel so much
you have our blessing I feel so much responsibility and I also feel so much
responsibility and I also feel so much
responsibility and I also feel so much privilege Michael
privilege Michael
privilege Michael I owe it to them to do this the best
I owe it to them to do this the best
I owe it to them to do this the best that I can because the country should
that I can because the country should
that I can because the country should know we’ve been incredibly fortunate on
know we’ve been incredibly fortunate on
know we’ve been incredibly fortunate on this project to actually meet and be
this project to actually meet and be
this project to actually meet and be counseled by the soldiers who were part
counseled by the soldiers who were part
counseled by the soldiers who were part of this battle we wanted our actors to
of this battle we wanted our actors to
of this battle we wanted our actors to go through a boot camp not only to learn
go through a boot camp not only to learn
go through a boot camp not only to learn to move properly and act properly as
to move properly and act properly as
to move properly and act properly as soldiers but also for the bonding
soldiers but also for the bonding
soldiers but also for the bonding experience that that would provide we
experience that that would provide we
experience that that would provide we put together a week-long boot camp that
put together a week-long boot camp that
put together a week-long boot camp that not only incorporated the basic infantry
not only incorporated the basic infantry
not only incorporated the basic infantry skills weapons handling tactics things
skills weapons handling tactics things
skills weapons handling tactics things like that but also understand the weight
like that but also understand the weight
like that but also understand the weight and the gravity of what the actors are
and the gravity of what the actors are
and the gravity of what the actors are representing both me this force-on-force
representing both me this force-on-force
representing both me this force-on-force stuff is to make you guys as close as I
stuff is to make you guys as close as I
stuff is to make you guys as close as I can get without actually shooting at you
can get without actually shooting at you
can get without actually shooting at you feel what it’s like to be in a gunfight
feel what it’s like to be in a gunfight
feel what it’s like to be in a gunfight Mike Baumgarten and juerga Denman who
Mike Baumgarten and juerga Denman who
Mike Baumgarten and juerga Denman who were our chief technical advisors led
were our chief technical advisors led
were our chief technical advisors led the boot camp with two real-life
the boot camp with two real-life
the boot camp with two real-life veterans of this battle Eric Berkman and
veterans of this battle Eric Berkman and
veterans of this battle Eric Berkman and Aaron Fowler
Aaron Fowler
Aaron Fowler we would run drills of clearing houses
we would run drills of clearing houses
we would run drills of clearing houses patrolling streets
and fail over and over you guys put a
and fail over and over you guys put a dude out you guys your guys are gonna
dude out you guys your guys are gonna
dude out you guys your guys are gonna photo the street with stop and then
photo the street with stop and then
photo the street with stop and then we’ll squash the last three or four
we’ll squash the last three or four
we’ll squash the last three or four dudes
they don’t compromise so we recognized
they don’t compromise so we recognized pretty quickly that we’re gonna get it
pretty quickly that we’re gonna get it
pretty quickly that we’re gonna get it right period we’re gonna go the route
right period we’re gonna go the route
right period we’re gonna go the route that went into the building last time
that went into the building last time
that went into the building last time and we’re just gonna instead we’re gonna
and we’re just gonna instead we’re gonna
and we’re just gonna instead we’re gonna peel get to the edge of that building
peel get to the edge of that building
peel get to the edge of that building feel into the staircase that make sense
feel into the staircase that make sense
feel into the staircase that make sense do it slow and steady communicate the
do it slow and steady communicate the
do it slow and steady communicate the actions were asking about the proper way
actions were asking about the proper way
actions were asking about the proper way to hold the weapons how to shoot move
to hold the weapons how to shoot move
to hold the weapons how to shoot move and communicate I approve of his
and communicate I approve of his
and communicate I approve of his training he has his finger where it’s
training he has his finger where it’s
training he has his finger where it’s supposed to be here look how well all
supposed to be here look how well all
supposed to be here look how well all these guys are patrolling there watching
these guys are patrolling there watching
these guys are patrolling there watching the corners they’re checking doors are
the corners they’re checking doors are
the corners they’re checking doors are passed it off yeah it looks good it
passed it off yeah it looks good it
passed it off yeah it looks good it looks good
looks good
looks good all the actors you want to get as much
all the actors you want to get as much
all the actors you want to get as much correct as possible they can easily
correct as possible they can easily
correct as possible they can easily remove us from the process and just do
remove us from the process and just do
remove us from the process and just do what they want but they did they care
what they want but they did they care
what they want but they did they care about this story we’re holding them to a
about this story we’re holding them to a
about this story we’re holding them to a standard making them do 20 good reps
standard making them do 20 good reps
standard making them do 20 good reps before we were good for them to move on
just so that when they get out here and
just so that when they get out here and there’s cameras in their face and their
there’s cameras in their face and their
there’s cameras in their face and their their tire they’ll remember my team
their tire they’ll remember my team
their tire they’ll remember my team let’s all do a buddy system
let’s all do a buddy system
let’s all do a buddy system take your mag out pull your ball back
take your mag out pull your ball back
take your mag out pull your ball back yeah it was kind of amazing because at a
yeah it was kind of amazing because at a
yeah it was kind of amazing because at a certain point we could notice what each
certain point we could notice what each
certain point we could notice what each other we’re doing and sort of police
other we’re doing and sort of police
other we’re doing and sort of police each other a little bit and say get your
each other a little bit and say get your
each other a little bit and say get your elbow down or you got to keep your
elbow down or you got to keep your
elbow down or you got to keep your barrel not aimed at your fellow soldier
we were thrown into scenarios that none
we were thrown into scenarios that none of us felt comfortable with but you know
of us felt comfortable with but you know
of us felt comfortable with but you know Mike and Jarek who kept telling us just
Mike and Jarek who kept telling us just
Mike and Jarek who kept telling us just do your best
do your best
do your best Mike kept saying you’re given principles
Mike kept saying you’re given principles
Mike kept saying you’re given principles to live by and you must make the best of
to live by and you must make the best of
to live by and you must make the best of a bad situation at all times we all got
a bad situation at all times we all got
a bad situation at all times we all got each other’s backs
each other’s backs
each other’s backs all you want to do is get their praise
all you want to do is get their praise
all you want to do is get their praise because these are guys who really lived
because these are guys who really lived
because these are guys who really lived it
so we all really busted our ass to do it
so we all really busted our ass to do it for me is the first time where I tried I
for me is the first time where I tried I
for me is the first time where I tried I really felt like like we were really my
really felt like like we were really my
really felt like like we were really my brother yeah and as an actor that’s what
brother yeah and as an actor that’s what
brother yeah and as an actor that’s what I’m looking for by this thing so thank
I’m looking for by this thing so thank
I’m looking for by this thing so thank you for making that all happen thank you
you for making that all happen thank you
you for making that all happen thank you Mike
the bootcamp really did bring everybody
the bootcamp really did bring everybody together in a really wonderful way the
together in a really wonderful way the
together in a really wonderful way the bond on this set is something special
bond on this set is something special
bond on this set is something special it’s been amazing having the army as our
it’s been amazing having the army as our
it’s been amazing having the army as our advisor because I always wanted this to
advisor because I always wanted this to
advisor because I always wanted this to be as authentic as possible
be as authentic as possible
be as authentic as possible I want to thank everyone here in Fort
I want to thank everyone here in Fort
I want to thank everyone here in Fort Hood we have been welcomed here with
Hood we have been welcomed here with
Hood we have been welcomed here with such love and care it’s been amazing and
such love and care it’s been amazing and
such love and care it’s been amazing and we are eternally grateful for that so
we are eternally grateful for that so
we are eternally grateful for that so wild don’t make it back he thinks your
wild don’t make it back he thinks your
wild don’t make it back he thinks your place in the movie version they could
place in the movie version they could
place in the movie version they could like Tom Cruise nice too tall you screw
like Tom Cruise nice too tall you screw
like Tom Cruise nice too tall you screw you man we were gonna get this story
you man we were gonna get this story
you man we were gonna get this story told no matter how long it took we
told no matter how long it took we
told no matter how long it took we initially developed it as a three-hour
initially developed it as a three-hour
initially developed it as a three-hour feature it’s been so extraordinary now
feature it’s been so extraordinary now
feature it’s been so extraordinary now to be able to bring an even more fully
to be able to bring an even more fully
to be able to bring an even more fully realized version of this expanding it to
realized version of this expanding it to
realized version of this expanding it to eight hours together with National
eight hours together with National
eight hours together with National Geographic these were the guys that we
Geographic these were the guys that we
Geographic these were the guys that we wanted to take this journey with they
wanted to take this journey with they
wanted to take this journey with they understood the importance of the
understood the importance of the
understood the importance of the material and why we had been sticking
material and why we had been sticking
material and why we had been sticking with it for so long they have been such
with it for so long they have been such
with it for so long they have been such amazing partners from the very beginning
amazing partners from the very beginning
amazing partners from the very beginning they were attracted the ambition and
they were attracted the ambition and
they were attracted the ambition and complexity of the project
National Geographic is famous for
National Geographic is famous for telling the truth I love that that
telling the truth I love that that
telling the truth I love that that making honest real hard-hitting
making honest real hard-hitting
making honest real hard-hitting television this is the closest we can
television this is the closest we can
television this is the closest we can get without being there ourselves
they ambushed us to dry out the rescues
they ambushed us to dry out the rescues now they’re gonna come for us for real
now they’re gonna come for us for real
now they’re gonna come for us for real when you watch it you literally feel
when you watch it you literally feel
when you watch it you literally feel that you are trapped in a situation with
that you are trapped in a situation with
that you are trapped in a situation with our characters you will feel exactly
our characters you will feel exactly
our characters you will feel exactly what those soldiers and what those
what those soldiers and what those
what those soldiers and what those families felt
the events of April 4th 2004 happened so
the events of April 4th 2004 happened so quickly and instinctively that their
quickly and instinctively that their
quickly and instinctively that their true impact could only be revealed in
true impact could only be revealed in
true impact could only be revealed in hindsight what has emerged looking back
hindsight what has emerged looking back
hindsight what has emerged looking back all these years later is a portrait not
all these years later is a portrait not
all these years later is a portrait not just of courage and sacrifice but one of
just of courage and sacrifice but one of
just of courage and sacrifice but one of family not just at home and on the front
family not just at home and on the front
family not just at home and on the front lines but now on both sides of the
lines but now on both sides of the
lines but now on both sides of the camera as well it is a bond that serves
camera as well it is a bond that serves
camera as well it is a bond that serves as a fitting tribute to the memory of
as a fitting tribute to the memory of
as a fitting tribute to the memory of those who were lost
those who were lost
those who were lost [Music]
”
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