Coming to a TV near you: Tom Hanks asking Americans to support military families. Also: Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey doing the same thing.
A few months ago we told you about First Lady Michelle Obama’s petition to Hollywood to increase its focus on vet and MilFam issues. Given the left coast’s track record on the subject, we were a little skeptical.
The three new PSAs, a direct outcome of that effort, are the first of her Los Angeles fruits. Produced in cooperation with the White House, they’re carefully scripted to inspire Americans towards action and remind them that while troops serve overseas, families wait at home.
I admit to being a huge Tom Hanks fan girl (how can anyone NOT love the movie “You’ve Got Mail?” Seriously). And it’s possible that I’m slightly biased on this whole thing since he’s involved. I admit to crying during the clip he did.
You should definitely check out all the PSAs for yourself here and you can see the Tom Hanks one below (because, well, why not?).
No word, by the way, on when these will appear, but the White House has reported that A&E Networks, CBS, Comcast NBC, Disney ABC, FOX and WB have agreed to support the campaign.
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watch them all – the one with the wife giving birth did me in. It's wonderful.
(but you know what would have been realistic?? scratchy skype video, not those perfect images LOL)
Cried within 10 seconds! I'm so glad there is an effort to support military families. Thank you for sharing.
Hey I admitted to being a Hanks fan-girl! But yes, they are all great.
Oh please! Where were these liberal spoiled hollywood brats when Bush was in office? All they could do is make one movie after another slamming the military. Seen any Stephen King novel based movies? It's always the military experimenting on something thus creating the bad things that happen. I quit supporting hollywood a long time ago.
What?
Stephen King: Carrie (no military)
Stephen King: the Shining (no military)
Stephen King: The green mile (no military)
Stephen King: Shawshank Redemption (no military)
Stephen King: Stand By Me (no military)
I could go on…
Stephen King actually invited the Maine NG (I think it was the NG) to dinner for Christmas and everyone else with family were brought home all under his expense! It was his way of thanking them when they returned from deployment. So before you criticize Stephen King, do your research. He's a major supporter of the troops.
Not just because I love Tom Hanks … but I must say that he has long supported vets. In the past his efforts have focused on WWII and Vietnam. But his actions have indicated that he DOES support the military.
There are certain elements in these vidoes that I find greatly appreciated. As a military member with a family, I love to see anything supporting what the hardest working people in the military (dependants) do every day. There are programs, support groups and resources aplenty for military families with deployed servicemembers, and every one of them is a step in the right direction. Regardless of politcal views, agendas, and personal beliefs, standing behind the families of servicemen and women is something every American can do. To see stars of this caliber (in terms of recognition) helping to spread the word is a wonderful respite from the bickering, backbiting, and protesting seen throughout the mainstream media. I appreciate the gesture and hope it is as well recieved by the general public as it was by me.
Regardless of our feelings for who is occupying the highest office in the country or those who work in Hollywood, it is beneath us to focus on *that* and ignore the good intentions of these support clips. It is our lives that they are trying to encourage understanding of and support toward.
Thank you so much for posting this entry and linking the clips. It was hard not to cry on any of them just from the gratitude that they took time out of their lives to do something that is intended to help us.
Where were these "stars" when Bush was in office? Again, if they honestly supported the military they would not need Michelle Obama to ask them to do so. Where was Michelle Obama prior to her husband getting into the white house? I as well as countless others have always spoken out for our military. This is simply a "get obama back in office" tactic. Our nation honors the wrong people. Our heroes are those who go to the front line and combat the enemy not knowing if he or she is ever going to come home to their loved ones again. Those are our true heros.
I have my opinion and you clearly have yours. Being hostile to those of us who are not in agreement with you is not going to change our opinions, it's only going to make us see you as being a hostile, inflammatory poster.
It is a shame that you cannot be civil and allow others to have their own opinions.
are you kidding? you are upset at me for expressing my opinion? clearly you do not want me to express mine. you have every right to express yours just as i have mine.
I'm not upset. I'm pointing out that you are basically trolling the positive comments in this thread with very hostile replies.
well said. I'm not sure what their issue is with THIS psa. They don't need to watch them, and they can just tell everyone that they don't represent their beliefs. Done.
I absolutely love these PSAs. Because we're surrounded in this lifestyle, it's hard to imagine how many people out there don't know what it's like—and never will. Giving a small look into our lives, however, is something I really appreciate. Thanks for posting this; I'm excited for the clips to start airing.
One only need look at the military movies that have come out of hollywood recently – very very few and far between show the military in a positive light – and if they really want to support the military, why don't they give up their hollywood lifestyle for a few years and volunteer.
Notice that Michelle Obama had to petition Hollywood–it isn't something they just did on their own! So the PSA's may be good but doesn't mean Hollywood made them with any true genuine concern. Hollywood once had great hero's that served time in the military and war but where are they now. I hope that the PSA's will help give a glimpse of our lives to the rest of the nation but I won't fall for the hypocrisy of Hollywood and think that they are so truly concerned with my life.
well, it could also be like many things dealing with military families: People don't "DO" unless they are asked. Do you know for a fact that they don't have any true genuine concern? No, you don't. They were aksed, and they made them.
Why are you people devaluing these PSA? I see zero negative coming from this.
I base my beliefs on their past actions and comments. Now if they were to enlist and apologize to the military for their actions, and show true remorse then maybe I could forgive but not until then.
“I don’t want to sound like an ad, a public service ad on TV, but the fact is if you can read, you can walk into a job later on. If you don’t, then you’ve got the Army, Iraq, I don’t know, something like that. It’s, it’s not as bright. So, that’s my little commercial for that.” Stephen King – May 2008.
My Army son has a bachelor’s in criminal justice, and a masters in engineering, I doubt king can touch that.
Antimilitary movies from Hollywood
The Mist
Stoploss
Green Zone
Lions for Lambs
Redacted (probably the most vile)
In the Valley of Elah
Grace is Gone
Rendition
Wayyyy to many in the past few years to mention. Now we are supposed to forget about the anti-military Hollywood? Not this mother.
Don't forget that ballyhooed "Avatar". I rented the movie without knowing anything about it and was sorely disappointed to see that it was just another Hollywood movie bashing the military as the "mad dog terrorists". In future, My fault for not checking reviews before renting this dog.
…and the list of movies depicting the military in a positive light is at least three times that long. Just FYI, while we have personal reasons to support the military it is foolish to turn the military as a whole into some sacred cow that can never be criticized or scrutinized. Just because movies don't always depict the military as some perfect entity (which it is not) doesn't mean Hollywood is anti-military. I really don't understand where your anger is coming from considering how many actors, comedians and musicians visit US troops to show their support.
Notice how she listed anti military movies, hollywood has not made very many pro military since Vietnam.
why are you picking on Stephen King? he's not in those PSAs. There are plenty of filmmakers for and against the war. It has nothing to do with THIS. Take your beef with Stephen King somewhere else. Plus..he doesn't live in Hollywood.
I absolutely will not take my beef with Stephen King somewhere else.
explain what Stephen King has to do with this discussion AT ALL?
His books were made into movies by hollywood which was not done without his approval.
which would make him relevant if we were having a discussion about hollywood's portrayal of the military. Perhaps you need to reread the original post. It was about PSA promoting military families.
Bashing this, and dragging up irrelevant topics, only makes you look like YOU don't support military families.
Michele, that's a stupid comment. A person in the motion picture industry doesn't have to live in Hollywood to be a part of it. And, Stephen King isn't the saint you're making him out to be. In my book, he's still responsible for the death of Vic Morrow and two Vietnamese children.
good lord did I say Stephen King was a saint? I said he's irrelevant to THIS thread. You people are totally warping a perfectly nice thread about PSA's that are being done to support us, the military family member.
I just can't be cynical where Tom Hanks is involved. It's like trying to roll your eyes at a puppy snuggling with a baby who's dressed like a bunny rabbit- it can't be done.
i think its great… i just dont get the whole joining forces thing though. its nice to have someone, like the first lady, who wants to get more attention/focus on our military families. but to me…. what help is it that we are supposed to be getting?? if its recognition in the community… we got it. but its not like when someone sees my "army wife" t-shirt they are going to do anything more then "tell your husband we thank him". the things i need… a babysitter…. im not going to get from a stranger off the street. so while i appreciate the intention behind it, what is it exactly that they expect to come out of this whole initiative?? other then more wasted funds??
Something I’ve seen it do is help to get initiatives for things like Spousal Employment, Or military children education expanded. I know a lot of it we feel like is mainly awareness and so they can say there making the effort. I see it as if they educate one civilian and change their opinion to at least try to find a way to help it’s worth it to me. A project I like that’s been promoted is the Community Service Organization’s contest where there trying to have groups come with exactly the type of things you were talking about where they actually get civilians to DO something rather than just say thank you. A lot of civilians are appreciative just don’t know how to be helpful so this is at least helping to give them ideas. I know the church I attend has so many people who despite living in one of the most military populated cities still don’t know what it’s like to go through this, still don’t know that the simple things of mowing a lawn, bringing dinner, or babysitting is what we need. Really I think if for once they are doing any type of positive message, it’s at least positive. The disclaimer on the joining forces website of “1% of Americans may be fighting our wars, but we need 100% of Americans to be supporting our troops and their families” which I know they stole from a reporter I think Dan Rather, is true. So many people don’t think twice or it never effects their daily life where the rest of us it’s our whole life. If this initative doesn’t do anything but for once paint the military in a good light and remind people to be thankful for our sacrifices or challenges I’m all for it.
Maybe what comes out of it is just a general better understanding of who we are and what we do. When my husband was deployed the last time, most civilians in the neighborhood seemed to stay clear of me and mine, while the military-affiliated neighbors came to help out, with dinner invitations, mowing my lawn, offering play dates and just plain companionship during a rough time. In my experience, civilian families often don't know how to deal with us, almost as if we were some explosive device – ok, on my worst days I can be one of those, but I DO apologize and explain lol – instead of treating us like just another neighbor. Maybe these PSAs will help bridge that gap?
Well I believe you are right.
I think the timing of this couldn't be better. We are a Nat'l Guard Reserve family, so we are not All Military, All The Time like most of you probably are – until now. Hubby just got his first deployment orders. When we told family and friends, nearly everyone said things like, "I thought we were getting everyone out of Afghanistan, why are they sending him?" and "Well at least it's safe over there now, nothing to worry about." They don't know in the week after he got the notice 9 American soldiers were killed in Afghanistan, 4 in the region he's going to. The general public seems to have forgotten just how many of our soldiers are still over there, just how much danger they are still in, and has no clue about military families and what they deal with. The media would much rather talk about movie stars and their drug problems than our deployed soldiers. I've had almost no one reach out to me yet, not because they don't care, but I really think because they have no clue. This must be especially true outside of "military towns" and bases/posts like where we are. Maybe these PSAs will help?
I hear that same type of things and my husbands active duty and we live in a fairly military town so yeah I agree, most people it’s just because they have no idea and the media doesnt really show them the truth these days or even talk about the war much.
I shuddered when I first saw Mrs O involved with this project. Her earlier cooments have generated quite a bit of negative impressions. This project and these videos helped me to put he into the perspective that she is on the same life-long path and that there is hope for her. Thank you for your efforts in support of the military families.
The last incidence when Hollywood supported the military was circa the 1940's. Nothing stands out during the Korean conflict 1950-1953(except for the trip Marilyn Monroe made to entertain the troops). Bob Hope made a trip over there. Forward to the 1960's – Vietnam war- almost out of sight out of mind except for John Wayne's, movie The Green Berets, there was another movie titled A Yank in Vietnam with Marshall Thompson(he starred in television program Daktari-1966) and those Christmas Specials with Bob Hope in Vietnam. Lot of nostaglia movies made during this time about World War II. The 1980's and the 1990's showed Hollywood missing in action as far as PSA's are concerned. Kudos for the celebs who have participated in the current effort. Still room for more. Tom Selleck can do one when he gets a break from Bluebloods and the Jesse Stone tv movies. Ditto Tom Petty and everybody knows about Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.