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July 2, 2009

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: The hallmark of a person

Abe Novick: Up, up, and aliya

July 1, 2009

Rabbi Avi Shafran: The Road Taken

The Kosher Gourmet by Marialisa Calta: Get into the holiday spirit with these Star-Spangled desserts

June 30, 2009

Rabbi Binyomin Ginsberg: What makes a great parent?

Caroline B. Glick: Ideologue-in-Chief

June 29, 2009

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Beware of 'Caveat Emptor'

Steven Emerson: ACLU pushing for more money for Hamas

June 26, 2009

Rabbi Yoni Posnick: Learn the secret to a healthy marriage from a scriptural villain

Caroline B. Glick: Barack Obama vs. International Law

June 25, 2009

Rabbi Shimon Apisdorf: The Absurd Power of Truth

Jordan "Gorf" Gorfinkle's strip: Everything's Relative

June 24, 2009

Rabbi Yonason Goldson: Advancement of technology is a wake-up call for humanity

The Kosher Gourmet by Andrea Weigl: Summer on a stick: Making frozen treats can be easy, creative and fun

June 23, 2009

Martin M. Bodek: 'On Surnames': And so, We Begin

Caroline B. Glick: The Obama Effect

June 22, 2009

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Working for a corrupt firm

N. Richard Greenfield : Where are American Jews?

June 19, 2009

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: Emotion v. intellect

Caroline B. Glick: Israel's rare opportunity

June 18, 2009

Jonathan Rosenblum: Sometimes it is more essential to define the nature of evil than good

Jordan "Gorf" Gorfinkle's strip: Everything's Relative

June 17, 2009

Rabbi Yonason Goldson: The Language of Confusion

The Kosher Gourmet by Linda Gassenheimer: Nothing pleases Dad more than a thick, juicy onion-smothered steak. Add home-Baked Potato Chips and …

June 16, 2009

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Career v. Careersism

Caroline B. Glick: Obama's losing streak and Israel

Richard Z. Chesnoff: ‘Palestinians’: Never Missing an Opportunity …

June 15, 2009

Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu: How Judea and Samaria can become 'Palestine'

Daniel Pipes: Where Netanyahu's speech failed

June 12, 2009

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: Some big thoughts about not acting so big

Caroline B. Glick: Obama's High Commissioner

June 11, 2009

Victor Davis Hanson: Our historically challenged President

Mitch Albom: Beware the True Believers

Lewis Grossberger: What we learn from the new Hitler photos

June 10, 2009

Mort Zuckerman: What Obama and his advisors won't -- or refuse to -- grasp about Israel and the Muslim world

The Kosher Gourmet by Steve Petusevsky Lotsa pasta: Tips, techniques and (amazing) taste

June 9, 2009

Anne Bayefsky: Obama's stunning offense to Israel and the Jewish people

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: America's first Muslim president?

June 8, 2009

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Merchant must take responsibility for careless shopper?

Mark Steyn: A superpower that feeds on mediocrity cannot survive for long on leftovers from the past

Richard Z. Chesnoff: How do you say 'kumbaya' in Arabic?

June 5, 2009

Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski: In quest of spirituality

Caroline B. Glick: Obama's Arabian dreams

Charles Krauthammer: The Settlements Myth

June 4, 2009

Paul Greenberg: The War Comes to Little Rock

The Kosher Gourmet by Judy Hevrdejs: Splash it on! Tap your inner jazz musician and improvise when stirring up a vinaigrette

June 3, 2009

The Jewish Ethicist by Rabbi Dr. Asher Meir: Q. Should terrible teacher be exposed?

Jonathan Rosenblum: The Israel Lobby: Missing in Action

June 2, 2009

Dennis Prager: The Speech President Obama Won't Dare Give in Egypt

Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Pressure on Israel raises war risk

Oct. 29, 2003
Mortimer B. Zuckerman: Graffiti On History's Walls (MUST-READ!)

Jewish World Review June 29, 2007 / 13 Tamuz 5767

Patriotic movies

By Greg Crosby


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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | America's Independence Day might just as easily be called "Thanksgiving." We have so much to be thankful for as citizens of the United States. The brave soldiers, marines, sailors and flyers that have fought and died to keep America free are a blessing that each and every one of us needs to keep foremost in our minds on this holiday. The sacrifices made throughout our history by noble and brave patriots should never be taken for granted. Yes, God bless America, and also G-d bless the Americans who have paid the ultimate price to defend her.


You might go on a picnic or go to a baseball game, you might have a barbecue, or attend a firework display to celebrate America's birthday, but for me The Fourth of July is the perfect excuse for watching a bunch of 100% unapologetically patriotic classic movies. Everyone has their special favorites, of course, but if you need a few suggestions this Independence Day you might want to check out the following films that celebrate America and Americans. My list is by no means comprehensive, but it's a pretty good start. The films are:

Yankee Doodle Dandy

Johnny Tremain

1776

The Alamo (John Wayne's version)

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

Sergeant York

Young Mr. Lincoln

Abe Lincoln in Illinois

She Wore a Yellow Ribbon

The Searchers

Gettysburg

The Fighting 69th

The Human Comedy

Our Vines Have Tender Grapes

I Remember Mama

Meet Me In St. Louis

George Washington Slept Here

The Yearling

It's a Wonderful Life

Hail the Conquering Hero

Buck Privates

The Best Years of Our Lives

Since You Went Away

The Hollywood Canteen

Command Decision

To Hell and Back

Lifeboat

They Were Expendable

Midway

The Longest Day

The Sands of Iwo Jima

The Fighting Sullivans

The Story of G.I. Joe

Strategic Air Command

We Were Soldiers


You'll note that many of these pictures are just what you might expect to see on a 4th of July list of patriotic movies; the American heroes, flag waving, the war pictures, and stories about the American home front during the war. These are certainly patriotic, uplifting films that tug at the heart and make us feel proud to be an American. "Yankee Doodle Dandy" was made in black and white and yet it is more red, white, and blue in it then any movie in color that I can think of. "Command Decision," for example, is as timely today as it was when it was released almost fifty years ago. "Since You Went Away" is a poignant story of the sacrifices that the families of our servicemen have made and continue to make.


But there are other heartwarming films on the list that showcase American values, growing up in America, and what it meant to be an American at various times in our history. There are also films on the list that feature the human dignity, bravery, and spirit that first generation Americans possessed in coming to this country.


Pictures like "I Remember Mama," "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes," "Meet Me in St. Louis," "It's a Wonderful Life," and even "The Searchers" celebrate strength of character, love of family, and a life experience that is uniquely American. And since possessing a sense of humor is as every bit American as possessing a sense of purpose or a sense of fairness, I have included a few comedies in the group, as well.


America's story is, in the final analysis, a story of its people — their beliefs, their desires, their dreams, and their faith and courage. I've tried to choose movies on this list which reflect those qualities. I hope you'll discover a couple that you've never seen before. And it never hurts to revisit a good picture that maybe you haven't seen for awhile. So make a big bowl of popcorn, pop in the tape or DVD and enjoy! And feel proud that you are one of the lucky people that can say, "I am an American!"


Happy Fourth of July!

Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.


JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here.

Greg Crosby Archives

© 2006, Greg Crosby

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