Horror of war depicted in HBO series shocking to Roxbury teacher

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.recordernewspapers.com/articles/2010/05/29/roxbury_register/news/doc4bfb2f20a7af3398060081.txt

By PHIL GARBER, staff writer
Published: May 28th, 7:10 AM

ROXBURY TWP. – David Leckie has read his father’s books on war but until he saw the HBO mini-series, “The Pacific,” he didn’t realize the suffering that soldiers like his father endured during fighting in the Pacific during World War II.

Leckie’s father, Robert, was one of three Marines whose experiences in the war were followed in the 10-part HBO series that ended last Sunday.

David Leckie of Roxbury Township is a teacher at the Black River Middle School.

After returning from the war, Robert Leckie went on to write more than 40 books, many about the history of warfare. He died in 2001 at the age of 81. A second veteran portrayed, John Basilone of Raritan was killed on Iwo Jima and the third, Eugene Sledge, from Alabama, died in 2001.

Leckie watched each episode at his Roxbury home while his mother, Vera, and sister, Joan Leckie Salvas, saw the series at Leckie-Salvas’ Byram home.

He said the series was much more graphic than his father’s book, “The Helmet is My Pillow,” which formed the basis of much of the series. A particularly gruesome image, that was not in the book, was during the battle for Peleliu, when Robert Leckie stepped on a hand protruding from the sand.

FULL story at link.

[pipoman]

1. I recorded them

to watch marathon style, I did watch the first one. My interest is that I spent some time with my son on Camp Pendleton and read about his division, the 1st Marine Division and their role on Guadalcanal.

[unhappycamper]

2. War is a life changing experience.

Being a non-grunt there's only one qualification badge worth having:

[Scuba]

3. The Combat Infantryman Badge ...

Thank you for your service, from a REMF.

[Paladin]

4. Excellent Series. (n/t)