Lest we forget: Movies help us remember the reason for Memorial Day

There are some simple truths about war. First, people are going to die. Second, some of those people will die senselessly. Third, some of those victims will be civilians caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. Fourth, the truth will be the first casualty.

Americans have been fighting wars almost from the moment we started colonizing the New World. At one time or another, Americans have fought wars with the Indians, French, British, Mexicans, Spanish, Germans, Russians, Italians, Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, Vietnamese and Iraqis.

Then there are the campaigns that were too small to count as a real war. Americans died in battles in places such as Tripoli, Lebanon, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Argentina, Nicaragua, Grenada and  Somalia.

Along the way, we also managed to wage a bloody war between ourselves.

American soldiers, sailors and Marines have shed blood on every continent except Antarctica. Memorial Day was set aside to honor those men and women who died for their country.

Movies about America's fighting men and women have been around since movies began. Sometimes the movie was about a hero such as reluctant World War I soldier Alvin York in "Sgt. York" or highly decorated World War II hero Audie Murphy in "To Hell and Back."

Some war movies are about important battles such as the Normandy invasion in "The Longest Day."

Famous generals have been featured in movies such as "Patton" and "MacArthur."

Prisoners of war have been the stars of movies such as "Stalag 17."

Ordinary foot soldiers were featured in "The Big Red One," Marines were the focus in "Halls of Montezuma" and sailors were the subject "In Harm's Way."

Joint American and Allied operations were featured in movies such as "The Guns of Navarone" and "Bridge on the River Kwai."

Lest we forget their sacrifice, here are six movies available on video and DVD that take a look at Americans under fire.

"Saving Private Ryan" (1998) -- A squad of D-Day survivors is sent to rescue a paratrooper whose three brothers were all killed in action within a few days of each other in this homage to the men who stormed the beaches on June 6, 1944. Stars include Tom Hanks, Matt Damon, Tom Sizemore, Edward Burns, Barry Pepper and Vin Diesel.

"Sands of Iwo Jima" (1949) -- John Wayne stars as John Stryker, a battle-hardened Marine who turns boys into Marines and leads them into battle in the South Pacific during World War II. Other stars include John Agar, Forrest Tucker and Richard Jaeckel.

"Pork Chop Hill" (1959) -- Gregory Peck is in command of a worn-down unit on a meaningless hill in the waning days of the Korean War. Then the Chinese attack and his small force must stand its ground against impossible odds.  Other stars include Harry Guardino, Rip Torn, George Peppard, Robert Blake and Woody Strode.

"Courage Under Fire" (1996) -- A Desert Storm hero who accidentally killed his best friend during a nighttime tank battle tries to unravel the truth about what happened one night after a medical chopper was shot down and the pilot (Meg Ryan) was killed. It seems she's been nominated for a Medal of Honor. Other stars include Matt Damon, Michael Moriarty and Lou Diamond Phillips.

"Platoon" (1986) -- The horrors of the Vietnam War shine through in this film based on Oliver Stone's own experiences during the war. Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe star as rival sergeants fighting for the soul of the innocent and naive Charlie Sheen. Other stars include Kevin Dillon, Johnny Depp and John C. McGinley.

"Glory" (1989) -- Matthew Broderick stars as real-life Civil War officer Robert Gould Shaw, a Boston blueblood who leads the first black Union regiment during the Civil War. Shaw and his men must fight other Union officers and soldiers as well as the Confederates before being sent to their slaughter in the battle of Fort Wagner. Other stars include Cary Elwes, Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman.