“Anything in life worth doing is worth overdoing. Moderation is for cowards.”
– Shane Patton (Lone Survivor)
This is not the entire monologue, but in an effort to keep it clean and friendly for all, I have used what I believe is among the more important pieces. Lone Survivor is a story that is absolutely mind-blowing. Based on a true story, on real people, and a very difficult and tragic incident that took place during military operations in Afghanistan.
Sadly, the title is also a bit of a spoiler. Lone Survivor is about an operation involving Navy SEALs that went horribly wrong in 2005. Many lives were lost and by military standards, it was an absolute disaster. If you are a veteran or know a veteran, I advise caution. It is an emotionally charged movie about a bad situation during a complex war that is difficult for most people to understand.
One thing I appreciate about Lone Survivor is the accuracy. Hollywood did what Hollywood does, but there was a lot of truth in the finished product. It is easy to second guess what happened or what you might have done differently, but any Monday morning quarterback can say that. The truth is, you weren’t there. You don’t know what you might or might not do under those conditions. You can get everything right and it can still all go bad.
The most important takeaway for me was the covering of what happened to Michael Murphy. Lone Survivor may have been focused on Marcus Lutrell, but for me, Michael Murphy was the real story. Words fall short when explaining such actions. He is not the first, last, or only person ever to have done it, but I appreciate the telling and acknowledgment of a warrior that was ready to die if it meant a chance to save their friends.
Journeyman's Legacy 