Forrest Gump

Gump’s Destiny
The movie Forrest Gump is an eye opening experience of what it was like during the Vietnam War. This was moving to me because through a motion picture it is easier for the viewer to really understand. The main character in this movie, Forrest Gump deals with all of these issues in a very inspiring way. This movie portrays the different things that afflicted the Soldiers such as death, fighting for survival, and politics during and after the war.
A United States Marine approached Gump to enlist into the army after he graduated college. He makes it seem like it is the best for Gump’s future. The Vietnam War was already happening and many other young men were enlisting. Gump enlisted and immediately he was treated badly and screamed at by his Drill Sargent. All that these soldiers knew, was to do what they were told to do, and to never to ask any questions.
When Gump first arrives in Vietnam he meets his Lieutenant. Lt. Dan is more into the idea of war than anything else. Throughout Lt. Dan’s family history, all of the men have fought and died in a war. Lt. Dan knew his entire life that this is what he would do also, and he would proudly die serving. Lt. Dan would lead the men everyday through the jungle in Vietnam, very skeptical and cautious. It would rain for days and the soldiers would have to take extra care of
their feet in order to prevent trench foot. None of this mattered they had to fulfill their mission; to hunt out the enemy, “Charlie”.
There was a sudden attack on the soldiers. All these men could do was to shoot back. Men exploded right next to one another. I could not imagine lying in dirt, not knowing what to do, and look over at a friend I have grown know and them exploding into pieces. Forrest just ran away, like he was told to do. Then he realizes he was all alone and is only care in the world was his best and only friend, Bubba. Forrest decided to go back to get Bubba out of the war zone. He does not get far before he finds another soldier lying on the ground too disabled to move. He throws him over his soldier and takes him safely out of the array of gun fire and explosion. This happens to Gump over and over again; he could not leave anyone to die.
Gump came upon Lt. Dan; He threw him over his shoulder and saved him like the rest of the wounded soldiers. Lt. Dan did not want to be saved, he would have to live as a cripple for the rest of his life since his legs where blown off at the knees. He wanted to die like the rest of his family, and with the rest of his platoon. He became very angry.
Bubba ended up dying after Gump found him. The rest of the platoon that survived with only wounds was treated. Gump did not have to fight in the war again and he wanted nothing more than to continue with Bubba’s dream to be a shrimp boat captain. These men grew to care for each other like brothers. Gump kept his word to Bubba and bought a boat.
Gump went to visit the United States Capital where he was honored a metal for his achievements in the war. There were thousands of people there that were protesting against the war. These U.S. citizens wanted the young soldiers to come home. They wanted peace in their
country. When Gump was asked to tell what it was like in Vietnam, he was cut off by a Corporal Officer from the Army. This displayed the U.S. Government not wanting the public to know the truth of what really went on in the war.
Lt. Dan suffered from alcoholism and depression because he was a cripple and did not fulfill his destiny of dying with honor in war. He reunited with Gump and helped Gump on his shrimp fishing adventure. This was a way for Lt. Dan to do something with his life. At first they had no luck catching shrimp, but in the end they did better than anyone else. Gump gave Bubba’s mother half of all the profits from the Bubba Gump Shrimping business which turned out to be millions of dollars. Again this is the honor of a man’s word and the seriousness that a marine would take it.
This movie is beautiful because it shows a devastating truth of life and death. Not everyone that has served in a war is able to optimistically overcome these challenges. Gump was challenged by his intelligence, a friend’s depression and anger, love, and the death of his best friend and mother. No matter what obstacles that Gump had in front of him, he continued to stay ambitious and positive about life.

Here is an link to some of the awesome quotes in the movie Forrest Gump.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/quotes