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# Examining war’s
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/examining-wars/
- Published: 2007-08-23T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T00:46:17.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

*human expense*

*By BYJACKNEWORTH CHANNELSURFING*

FRIENDS OFTEN ASK ABOUT TV SHOWS I’m about to review. When I begin to describe “Alive Day Memories,” about permanently disabled veterans home from the Iraq war, the response has generally been, “Sorry, I can’t handle it." I suppose it shouldn’t be a surprise. From the beginning the human cost of this war has just been numbers, except for those doing the fighting. The Pentagon banned photographs of the flag-draped coffins to protect “the privacy of the families.” (And yet family members are also prohibited from taking photos.) Former First Lady, Barbara Bush, famously commented on Good Morning America, “Why should we hear about body bags and deaths? Why should I waste my beautiful mind on something like that?"

On Sept. 9, HBO will air “Alive Day Memories” which is guaranteed to upset some beautiful minds. During the hour-long show, executive producer James Gandolfini (aka, Tony Soprano) interviews 10 severely disabled soldiers who talk about their injuries, their futures and their devotion to America. “Alive Day” is the term severely wounded soldiers have given to that day he/she narrowly escaped death in Iraq. A day they will never forget. The viewer should expect a roller coaster of emotions from frustration to rage, from despair to hope. Also expect tears.

The interviews are conducted on a near barren set. Gandolfini greets each soldier, most of whom come on stage with great difficulty. The two sit down and begin talking. The camera and boom operators are in full view so as to dispel any pretense. While often painful, the conversations are compelling and moving. They’re intercut with footage from the war, sometimes of the exact incident that caused their injuries. (The show uses videotape from the insurgents of the explosions, followed by chants praising Allah.) Due to incredible advances in medical technology, 90 percent of our wounded in Iraq survive and yet the percentage of soldiers with amputations is the highest since the Civil War. So, while many lives are saved, many also face a lifetime of suffering. The 10 men and women Gandolfini interviews are either amputees (often double) or victims of traumatic brain injuries, blindness, or post traumatic stress disorder. “Alive Day” doesn’t preach or play politics. It’s only about the veteran’s struggle to cope with their debilitating injuries. As one soldier comments, “When we left Iraq and came home our real fight had just begun.”

One, of the “luckiest” was Staff Sgt. Jay Wilkerson who suffered facial and cheek wounds and had shrapnel enter his brain, affecting his memory. He shared the frustration of not being able to remember the name of his children. Gandolfini gently asks what are his children’s names and Wilkerson is relieved that, for the moment, he can remember.

Sgt. Eddie Ryan’s scars make his head look as though it has been reassembled. At 22 he’s dependent on his heroic mother who never leaves his side. His memory and speech faculties are so poor he’s almost incoherent. Ironically, he can remember the Marine Fight song which he sings on camera. He also repeats an expression he shares with his mother about the process of getting better, “Inch by inch is a cinch.”

I suspect the most haunting injuries for HBO’s audience might be those of the women. Dawn Halfaker, 27, is beautiful and intelligent. She was a lieutenant in the army until a rocket blew off her arm and shoulder. She wonders if she will ever have a boyfriend again or get married. Tearfully she realizes if she ever has children she will not be able pick them up. She also wonders out loud if she could even be a good mother. Off camera, I could almost feel the tears roll down Gandolfini’s cheeks as he answers, “For what it’s worth, I think you will make a wonderful mother.”

John Barlett lost both of his legs in Iraq but amazingly not his sense of humor. As he greets Gandolfini he smiles, “I know who you are.” Motioning him to sit, Gandolfini says humbly, “My name is Jim.” Later Barlett says, as many of the soldiers did, he would like to return to Iraq. He adds jokingly, “This time, however, I’d like to avoid the explosions.”

Gandolfini’s documentary is chilling and has stayed with me for days. The injuries are heartbreaking, but their courage and determination are magnificent. The work is so honest I wish everyone in America would be forced to see it, maybe even Barbara Bush. After all, the truth shouldn’t ruin a beautiful mind.

“Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq” debuts on HBO Sept. 9, at 10:30 p.m.

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/55/9f/559f9abc-8372-4a2e-8c2d-27386da4e363/content/images/2026/10/082307-28_01.jpg)

Greenfield-Sanders REAL DRAMA: ‘Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq’ features John Jones. (Photo: Photo courtesy Timothy)

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on August 23, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/082307.pdf?ref=smdp.com)