Doss Chapter 4: Gratitude and What It Means

        Chapter Four in Memorial Mania discusses several important (and controversial) memorials as well as how the expression of gratitude figures into our memorialization of certain events and people throughout history. Doss also brings up the concepts of 'War Porn' and 'War Dogs' in her explanation and discussion of these memorials. According to Doss, the World War II Monument dedicated in DC in 2004 is America's symbol of gratitude to the fallen soldiers. This memorial is a way to give thanks to those that gave their lives in what Doss later calls "A Good War." The memorial is located in between the Washington and Lincoln monuments on the National Mall, and it is for this reason that the Announcement Stone at the entrance to the memorial reads, "Here in the presence of Washington and Lincoln... we honor those twentieth century Americans who took up the struggle during the Second World War and made the sacrifices to perpetuate the gift our forefathers entrusted to us: A nation conceived in liberty and justice" (Doss, 202). This memorial honors the memories of those who fell by displaying pillars with the names of the states (in the order that they entered the union) that the soldiers were native to. Other memorials, such as the Letters Home memorial in Temecula, California, offer a more personal approach as it shows soldiers sitting quietly and contemplating writing letters home to their families during the War. Here, civilians are free to sit and interact with these truly human statues. These memorials put a face to the war effort and make it easier for some people to show their appreciation for the soldiers. Few memorials are more powerful than the controversial Eyes Wide Open and Arlington West memorials that actually quantify those who died in the Iraq War. The absence of any human statues or figures shows the loss that so many families have experienced, and the empty boots of the Eyes Wide Open memorials show what is left behind of a soldier's valiant efforts after they have passed away. These memorials are controversial, I believe, because too often people do not want to face the loss of war; they would rather appreciate the valiant efforts of generals and leaders by making statues and dedicating them in their honor. However, I believe to truly show gratitude to those who gave their lives to the cause, it is necessary to actually see and experience the number of those whose lives were lost, which one can do if they visit Arlington West or any of the Eyes Wide Open memorials.

        When Doss mentions 'War Porn,' she is discussing how Americans express and respond to war. Though it would seem that way by it's name, war porn does not have sexual connotations and is not associated with illicit fantasies about war. She states on page 220, "War porn is the great American cultural expression, not as a form of sexual fantasy and social transgression but as an instrument of national consensus, conformity and normalcy," (Doss, 220). To me, war porn shows why Americans are so eager to honor the dead by erecting memorials in their honor. Americans can't get enough of war heroes; we love to hear the tales of valiant generals leading the underdog to victory, or how by faith in liberty and justice the American armies successfully liberate nations and peoples who are not free. It is possible that even more than war itself we enjoy commemorating war through the media. Countless books, movies, video games and television specials have been released to pay homage to the soldiers who gave their lives for our country. War Dogs are the 'dogs of war' who participated in wars such as the Vietnam War and who will be honored with a national war dog memorial. This reminds me of the statue of Balto that stands in central park, because even though Balto was not involved in any war effort, he was a hero of a different breed who was honored with a bronze statue like many human soldiers have been.