|
"They Were Our Fathers"
January 19, 2000
Barbara Sonneborn
Dear Barbara Sonneborn: On behalf of the board of directors of Sons and Daughters In Touch, I want to thank you and Point of View for permitting us to preview your film - 'Regret to Inform'. This courtesy provided each of our seven board members separate opportunities to view the film and form distinct impressions. Though we hoped to be congratulating you for this effort, instead, I have been asked to write to convey our concerns about the themes communicated in 'Regret to Inform'. In June, 1992, as SDIT hosted
its first national Father's Day reunion, you were provided travel assistance
to Washington, DC, to discuss your project with our mothers. Our
support was based on the understanding, as written in fund-raising materials
distributed during that weekend, that 'Regret to Inform' would be a "filmic
memorial" to these women who, "…have mourned mostly alone, often in silence."
With great hope and expectations, a special
Today the SDIT board is unanimous in its conviction that 'Regret to Inform' does not achieve your stated goal of memorializing the experiences of American women who lost their husbands in the Vietnam War. Instead, it appears politically motivated and is wrought with themes that degrade the American soldier. SDIT declines POV's invitation to participate in the public forums supporting 'Regret to Inform'. As the largest organization representing American children whose fathers were lost in Vietnam, SDIT has a keen understanding of the emotions resulting from the Vietnam War. The views conveyed in 'Regret to Inform' by those selected to represent the American war widow disturbingly conflict with the views of the many mothers associated with SDIT, including our own. Is there and explanation for excluding the many American widows who sorely miss their husbands but are proud of their service? Or was your original intent to report only from the perspective of those who would question the service commitments of their husbands and cite alleged American war atrocities? Among other things, our fathers fought and died to preserve the basic freedoms of dissent and free speech. We at SDIT acknowledge your right to create art with a certain purpose, however we are disappointed that your film does not represent the truthful examples we've witnessed in so many mothers -- the brave women who raised us after the life changing 'knock at the door'. On a personal note, I am concerned about the presence of my name in the credits of your film. With advance notice of your film's direction, I would have insisted that my name not be associated with 'Regret to Inform'. The SDIT board of directors hopes that you will consider this letter, and our concerns, and invites your reply. Sincerely, Tony Cordero
|