Reception?

When most people visualize the return from war, they see loved ones holding signs, crowds clapping and a CD player echoing “Proud to be an American”. In Veteran Support – Alone 60 we are given a home coming completely opposite to the norm. It is an empty world occupied by one service member. He wonders through an airport, train station and the cityscape in solitude. He carries on in silence and expressionless with all he needs on his shoulders. The sterile environment is finally broken by someone else. A young man brandishing a high and tight haircut and a shirt that gives away his profession approaches the service member. After a hand shake and “welcome home”, emotion finally finds itself on the soldiers face. The dream is over and the world comes back to life as the two men move on.

It is a powerful message which presents another side of the return from war. It chronicles the difficulties involved in moving from harms way to the safe confines of society. You can see the isolation of the young man as he moves through an apparently empty world. This is puzzling because most people would see it as a moment of personal celebration. They might be a little disappointed in the stoic reaction presented by the one returning to safety. It is difficult to understand until the end.

We have another man who breaks the barrier. Filling in the gaps, we understand that he is also in the service of his country. We can also assume that the only reason he was effective here is that he already knows what the other man is going through. This makes it evident that there is a brotherhood between the two which goes beyond branch affiliation. Typically, there is animosity between the Marine Corp and the Army. There is no rivalry because something deeper is present, the brotherhood of war. It is by this brotherhood that the Marine is able to help in the Soldiers return.

It is an amazing story with two audiences in mind. First is for the person coming home. The world isn’t the same anymore. They have seen thing that will go with them for the rest of their lives. It is a heavy burden and can be overwhelming, particularly upon arrival. It doesn’t have to be alone though. The point of the video is that you are not alone and that together the felling of solitude can be overcome. The other audience is the public. Many people don’t see the isolation that a service member is subjected too after coming back. It is not from the outside like in previous conflicts, it is from within. The purpose is to show the public the piece of war that comes with you.