I watched the anticipating movie “Unbroken” the other day (CHRISTmas) with my parents (my grandfather was captured as a POW as a “Filipino” civilian and survived as a cook) and still absorbing the personal messages from this inspirational movie in this season in my life. I was first introduced to this real-life story (Laura Hillenbrand’s “Unbroken”) by Neil, pastor of Harvest Community Church (Fargo, ND) and host to a weekly morning Bible study-fellowship group I attend in Morris, who gave me to read and share with one of my friends (college student from Japan renter) years ago. Unfortunately, my renter wasn’t interested in reading this book, but was inspired by the story. I got more interested in this story when Neil shared about this book was going to be movie on facebook. I’ve been looking forward to this movie since this Spring and now anxious to share about it with others.
Zamperini’s life story has taught me many life virtues (e.g. perseverance, gratefulness, commitment, and forgiveness) in this point of my life, which I’ll try to share as many of them down below. One of them is perseverance, which the stories…
Unbroken Raft Scenes Louis Zamperini WW2 – YouTube
*After watching the sequel this evening (10.4.18), I reflect on this scene and God did answer Zamperini’s prayer through the Japanese boat that “rescued” Zamperini & his comrades from the raft.
Unbroken (9/10) Movie CLIP – Don’t Look at Me! (2014) HD
… he shared of what he endured during WWII is very inspirational. I’ve read many stories from that war, which has helped me to not complain and be more grateful no matter what challenges I’m facing in my life. The sacrifices many soldiers faced (including my own parents’ country-Philippines-> Filipino Military–Bataan Uncensored Paperback – December, 1991, a must read book!) during that war helped my generation to reap the blessings we have right now. It’s important to never forgot our own history (U.S., Philippines, and any other nation), so we won’t take for granted what we are blessed with.
One of the memorable scenes or lines (motivational-inspirational quotes) that stuck out the most was when Louis made that covenant-commitment to God…
“If you get me through this I swear I’ll dedicate my whole life to you. Please”-Louis Zamperini (from briandoddonleadership.com)
I made a similar promise to God (Heavenly Father) before giving my life to Him back in the winter of 1996. I went skiing at a ski resort (Andes Tower Hills in Kensington, Minnesota). I went down hill skiing with a bunch of college friends (international students) and wanted to show off, so I just jumped on this chair life not knowing how far and big the hill I would be down hill skiing at. Well, when I got to the top, I realize this was higher than I thought and already forgot how to ski. I haven’t gone down hill skiing for years (should’ve gone on the smaller hill or bunny hill to get some practice). Well, this would be called, “Pride before the fall”. There was no way down but to go with my skis, so I had to fall 4x or so to finally decided to walk (after feeling my knee really swollen or hurt). I went to the ER at the local hospital (Morris, MN) and was at the X-Ray room. The doctor took an X-Ray and left the room by myself. This was when I had my “first” BIG encounter with God. I was more concerned about the financial cost of the medical expense than what happened to me physically. I then just called out to God and told Him-“God, if your real. Heal me and I”ll follow You”. Well, the doctor came back and told me that I didn’t break anything, which would be the beginning of my journey of faith (see testimony) Ever made a promise (e.g. Matthew 5:37-“Let your yes, be “YES”) with God, family, friends, etc…? I challenge and encourage you to “follow-through”!
I read and heard many stories of the atrocities in World War II and many wars before and after. Even though this movie just showed one perspective of one American’s experience. The torture that he and many others out there is very “inhumane”. Unfortunately, we as a county didn’t learn from this and still use this to this day (e.g. Shocking cases in CIA report reveal an American torture program in disarray – Spencer Ackerman in New York Tuesday 9 December 2014 ) This is an embarrassment as a nation to this world as we “preached” against inhumanitarian acts of other nations (e.g. North Korea, China, Russia, Iran, etc..).
In my response to what our nation has done and even myself (I too have “wrong” people in different ways and levels due to sin)…”forgive them for they do not know what they do”. Zamperini’s story can be applied with what’s going on today (e.g. Ferguson-we need to forgive each other for the wrong that’s been done to one another). There are “good” and “bad” cops-same with any group of people. We can’t “judge” or “stereotype” (e.g. NOT all Somolians are “evil” as the movie “Black Hawk Down” might stereotype these people group) any group because of the actions of a “few” of a group of people (e.g. race, nationality, political party, religion, institution, etc..) The real “enemy” is satan and his cronies (demons) that try to deceive and divide the human race to “fight” one another. It’s God’s love that is shared in the Gospel (Good News) of Jesus Christ behind the message of Zamerini’s forgiveness!
Is there someone out there that has hurt (e.g. abuse) you in the past? Just as Zamperini had one-the “Bird”-was a “bully” or “tormentor” while he was Prisoner of War. When Zamperini went home after the war, he was like many veterans that would suffer from PTSD. He would have nightmares, which I too had them at times growing-up for different reasons. Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Well, Zamperini started to sleep better after his “encounter” with God at a Billy Graham Crusade and forgave his “enemy” (abuser, bully, etc..). Have you forgave that individual(s) that hurt you in the past? It’s not easy, right? You can’t do it on your own because you need that strength from God alone, which I personally (e.g. my own bully story) got when I gave my life to Him.
Reviews
How True is UNBROKEN the movie?
Interviews
WWII hero and alumnus Louis Zamperini visits USC Annenberg class
USC Annenberg
Published on Mar 3, 2011
Feb. 23, 2011: World War II hero, Olympic runner and USC alumnus Louis Zamperini visited adjunct journalism professor Jeff Fellenzer’s JOUR 380 class to discuss his story of survival, perseverance and forgiveness.
More: http://annenberg.usc.edu/News%20and%2…
Remembering the “Unbroken” spirit of Louis Zamperini
“Unbroken’s” Louis Zamperini: The Rest of the Story
After ‘Unbroken’ – Louis Zamperini ‘Captured By Grace’
Billy Graham Australia & New Zealand
Published on Jan 22, 2015
After his return from WWII, Louis Zamperini was tormented by the memories of what he had experienced. Post traumatic stress led to depression and alcoholism. About to lose his marriage, Louis went to a Billy Graham crusade in Los Angeles, in 1948 and gave his life to Christ.
Part 2-Sequel
UNBROKEN 2 Official Trailer (2018) Path to Redemption, Movie HD …
-Addiction
Improving our understanding of alcohol and drug addiction hazelden.org
“..What counts is embracing that moment of clarity when we realize that our lives are a mess and that we must change. Or else. And then taking action. Zamperini changed his life, and in the next 60-plus years, his story has inspired millions of people to overcome the adversity of their personal demons.
A few days after he died, another story made headlines, this one in The New York Times. It was about alternatives to the “mainstream” approach to fighting addiction through 12-step programs, such as Alcoholics Anonymous.
From new medications to advances in science to innovative therapy, the choices people struggling with substances have are more plentiful than ever today, including pathways that aren’t based on abstinence or faith in a higher power…”
SWITCHFOOT – You Found Me – Unbroken: Path To Redemption (Official Music Video)
Louis Zamperini at ’58 San Francisco Crusade – YouTube
Louie Zamperini: The Power of Forgiveness by Laura HillenbrandFrom – Posted on Dec 29, 2010 guideposts.org
Louie Zamperini’s story of survival and redemption will astound and inspire you.
“..On the second night, Graham asked people to step forward to declare their faith. Louie stood up and stormed toward the exit. But at the aisle, he stopped short.
Suddenly he was in a flashback, adrift on the raft. It hadn’t rained in days, and he was dying of thirst. In anguish, he whispered a prayer:
“If you will save me, I will serve you forever.”
… Over the raft, rain began falling. Standing in Graham’s tent, lost in his flashback, Louie felt the rain on his face.
At that moment Louie began to see his whole ordeal differently. When he’d been trapped in the wreckage of his plane, somehow he’d been freed. When the Japanese bomber had shot the raft full of holes, somehow none of the men had been hit….”
If you have read this book or watched the movie, curious-what was your famous line/quote/scene in the movie? why? what did you learn? How are you applying it in your life to this day?
“Movie theater in Oakdale, Minnesota where I saw the movie “Unbroken” with parents on CHRISTmas Day“
Book
Laura Hillenbrand’s Unbroken – Audiobook Excerpt
Unbroken A World War II Story of Survival Resilience and Redemption Audiobook 1
Notes from Listening
*shared on my facebook post in Good News Words
Commitment (Covenant)
Aviation
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1453769894874148/?ref=br_tf
Bio
The Great Zamperini
Blogs
http://unbrokenreflections.blogspot.com/
Books
http://laurahillenbrandbooks.com/
http://www.bookrags.com/studyguide-unbroken/#gsc.tab=0
Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand (A World War II Story) Part 1
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/sample/read/9781400064168
4:00 (Chapter 11) “No One Will Survive” (movie scene of Green Hornet crash)
4:38 (Chapter 12) Life Boats-1st prayer since a kid
4:41 (Chapter 13) “water” from sky (drinking)
5:07 (Chapter 14)” if drop of water to drink..I’ll dedicate” (prayed)
5:10-17(Chapter 15) Sharks (bomber shooting movie scene)
*a miracle (4x bomber swept through and missed the 3 guys on the raft)
Unbroken Summary – Chapters 15-17 – supersummary.com
http://www.supersummary.com/component/content/article/50-plot-summary-of-unbroken?start=6
Chapter Fifteen: Sharks and Bullets. On the twenty-seventh day of their journey on the water, a Japanese bomber flies over. … Miraculously, it did not explode and a single bullet hit no one. Sharks … Louie managed to patch the bullet holes in the one raft that wasn’t totally damaged. … They were trying to attack Louie.
5:36 “Max” Death: Louis prayer promise
5:50 “Japanese” taking them (close to escaping to an island):given plenty of food (coconut, chocolate, etc..)
“can’t guarantee your survival after going to “massacre island”
5:59 “prison place”
PART IV (KWAJALEIN – EXECUTION ISLAND )
https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/KWAJALEIN-EXECUTION-ISLAND-Unbroken-Louis-Zamperini-Story
Chapter 18
6:14 interrogation (D, E. model of Bomber)
6:17 Kamura (Christian) kind, would give candy to them 🙂
https://www.awesomestories.com/asset/view/B-24s-IN-COMBAT-Unbroken-Louis-Zamperini-Story
August (been gone since May)
6:20-Biological test: Coconut syringe
*see
Aug 24th (interrogation)
decided not to be killed
Aug 26th 1943-Taken to Yokohama (Karamura never seen)
Chapter 15 “200 Silent Men”
6:30-saw friend from USC (Japanese traitor, navy interrogation camp)
Ifuna Camp
6:44-Japanese prisoner guard (Hirosei) had sympathy to POW’s and would “fake” beating.
http://www.thinkingchristian.net/posts/2011/08/unbroken-a-world-war-ii-story-of-survival-resilience-and-redemption/
“…At this point I want to take you on a different kind of flashback. Early in his captivity, Zamperini had received the risky grace of a Japanese prison guard who had greeted him with the discreet question, “You Christian?” Zamperini told him he was. The guard answered, “I Christian too.” This Christ-following Japanese soldier took every opportunity to secretly supply Zamperini and other prisoners with extra food.
Zamperini’s response to the guard’s question intrigues me, for there was nothing in his early history to suggest any church involvement. The way he had discovered he could run when he was a boy was by running from people he had stolen from, and from the law, for he was an inveterate thief. His criminal ways ended when he embarked on his running career in high school, but not because of any new moral insight—he just found a different route to satisfying his desires. So when the guard asked him, “You Christian?,” his yes answer probably had a lot more to do with culture than with spiritual reality….”
General Harris (escaped Corregidor occupation, captured in Indonesia by “natives’, etc..)
7:08 -Zamperini was found out to be an olympic runner (movie scene: forced to race)
7:10-green sauce injection (Mensaus was intended to be killed)
*see Biological https://www.facebook.com/groups/392960060797791/
-Garret (new P.O.W.) shares how he was in the same cell that Zamperini was at (17 others killed in that same island)
7:17 (sin suji-POW camp with American Red Cross regulations)
*fake, but a coal camp
7:21 (Chapter 21)
July 13th-Louis captured (same day mother sent a letter to Air Force commander to search for Louis)
7:32: Fortune teller tells Harris survived
*see https://www.facebook.com/SalPhotoVideography/photos/a.780611395287068.1073741907.443035202378024/930969090251297/?type=3&theater
7:43 “Kill all” (POW’s-5K Koreans) command-afraid Koreans would ally with Americans after Saipan lost (allowing bombers to bomb Japan)
7:51 “Doolittle raid” (escape plan cancelled due to warning of POW’s going to be executed for every escapee)
7:54 “Quack” found maps Harris hided in bed
was beaten for over an hour
Chapter 23 “Monster” (Bird)
7:57 Zamperini moved to a new camp
Chapter 24
8:16 “Bird”
8:33 Kano (compassionate Japanese guard…would tell guards to look away when POW’s were eating from the garden)
radio broadcast was only heard in South Africa (took 3 months to finally get to California due to misunderstanding of name and address)
8:37 (Chapter 25-B24)
8:48 Postman Calls (Louis alive)
B29 flying to taking pics (hope)
9:03 (Chapter 26)
Radio station changed broadcast …propoganda
(kept alive for propoganda -to embarrass America…serviced “American-style”-tempting-meal at a diner..movie scene)
Nov 27th-B29 Bombers came in bunches
9:29 “Bird” leaving (movie scene)…reign of terror over
Chapter #27-“Falling Down”
“KILL ALL” P.O.W.’s in Palawaan, Philippines…gasoline poured on soldiers in grave “massacre”….11 only escaped. 😦
American landing as false
CAMP NAOETSU
http://www.northchinamarines.com/id35.html
9:38 “moved to another camp” due to bombing in Tokyo…witness bombed city as they transferred on a rail train to a snowy place
March 2nd 1945
“Bird” waiting for him
9:50
forced to clean pig place after being a “cleanliness” freak (used listerine after kissing girls)
10:06 (Chapter 29-200 punches)
U.S. Bomb raid by lone steel mill
Germany fell
naritsu
Louis leg healed to do coal work
Bird sick (fed bm)
10:24 moved to another camp to be “executed” (final order)
10:29 Louis holding beam in 37 minutes (movie scene)
826 B29’s raid
napalm being dropped
leaflets dropped to warn citizens to leave from the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki
10:38 “Hiroshima bomb dropped (10x the light of the sun) “little boy” (tibbits) lead taste from his mouth melting from radiation emitting
Chapter #31
Hiroshima was hit by “chlorea”
one bomb hit the city (atomic-unfamiliar)
Aug. 9th 1945-Nagasaki hit by atomic bomb
“The Bird” left to prepare new camp after Louis had nightmares of him
Louis 22 bm’s
berry berry
teaching English to “bad eye” (How are you?.what the F*&% you care?)
no electricity
10:40 WAR is over
routine of walking to forrest
Aug 20th-white sky
10:52 asked POW’s to fight the “red” that took some island
announcement to bathe in river (movie scene)..engine came by (overcast sky)..torpedo bomber (American). Red code “war is over”
chocolate and cigs dropped off
pants (thought it was a man) fell from another plane (bomb cloud pic-Hiroshima-magazine) and more items dropped
Chapter #32-Cascade of Paint Peaches
10:57
wrote 700 POW’s here on sand to get planes to drop more products
11:07 U.S. Missouri-General MacArthur announced
132K POW’s (off all nations)
25% survived
37% americans died
1% of americans held by Nazi’s die
Cocoa dropped crashed and destroyed “Bird’s” office
Louis cleansed himself
Sept. 4th-date for POW’s to be transferred to Yokohama for evacuation
POW’s discovered a brothel while walking around
Fitzgerald (fingernails pulled, waterboard torture, etc..) asked for a train
Chapter 33 11:17
POW’s getting food and medical help
wasn’t listed in Red Cross list since he wasn’t listed by Japanese
143 lbs (still 17 lbs under his original weight when plane crashed)
Sylvia answered on phone (Mom)
sept. 9th 1945-mother’s day for Louis’ mom
American flag carried through entire wall (passed by American missionary to British POW in Australia??)
Unbroken Laura Hillenbrand (A World War II Story) Part 2
Meeting family and getting greeted
Part IV
Chapter 34 “Shimmering Girl”
convertible still there
3 years of CHRISTmas gifts in house
record playing of his recording (PTSD)
meeting fiance (apple)
30:52 -Chapter 35
Louis Zamperini’s Son Explains How God Healed His Father’s PTSD
*see Deep Thought: What can “we” do to help Veterans with P.T.S.D.? goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com
*PTSD https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152197143517550&set=oa.613308338749215&type=3&theater
Nightmares, story of Airforce airmen that parachuted and captured: put in a zoo cage for display
Louis drinking, public behavior,etc…
Chapter #36 50:00
4K of 5K convicted of war crimes
Kano (close to names of Japanese war criminals) was testified by soldiers (US) to be cleared
was about to write to POW soldiers..died of cancer
1:13:00 -Louis still drunk, fought with Cynthia, forbade Cynthia from going to church, thought God tried to trip him, etc..
*Good News Japan https://www.facebook.com/groups/468929606499068/
*more…http://smu.gs/1Bl61Ih
1:21:00-Billy Graham (Youth for Christ president)…HQ’s in Minneapolis, left PA due to a former choir singer had a bad experience with Billy
church revival in LA (tent meeting)
*see Good News Share https://www.facebook.com/groups/155630601282962/
1:36:17 Louis surrendered and gave life to Christ
(after 2 days of tent revival and was about to leave “angry” when Billy asked everyone to bow heads down and eyes close, but turned back)
*giving life to Christ…https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152185587347550&set=a.10152185587242550.1073741934.500417549&type=3&theater
1:51 “This is your life” (Allen slipped in back, w/ CeCe, moved from New Mexico-plastic business) What he done was finally recognized…became an “open book” as Louis wasn’t mentioned.
1:54
Harris in Korean War (3/4 of his until died)
2:00 deaths of his brother (Pete, Sylvia-mother, etc..)
Bird died in 2003…never met
*peace…https://www.facebook.com/groups/639527079395556/?ref=br_tf
-Reviews
http://www.us-japandialogueonpows.org/UshioUnbroken.htm
but there are also many stories of kind, generous, compassionate Japanese, both military and civilian, who went out of their way to be good to POWs. So my readers’ reactions, whether positive or negative, are directed not toward the Japanese people as a group, but toward the specific individuals in the book.
I think the biggest reason why the book has not inspired ill-feeling against Japan is that Japanese war crimes are not the book’s theme or main subject. This is a story of survival, resilience and persistence, and the extraordinary power of forgiveness, as exemplified by one man, Mr. Zamperini. The emotion my readers express, more than anything else, is a sense of being uplifted and deeply inspired.
— When a book about Japan’s WWII history, especially one dealing with its war crimes, became a bestseller in the US, the first reaction from some Japanese people often is to question the accuracy of the content. Many reviewers in the US praised your thorough research. Can you describe how you went about researching for this book?
*Japan WWII https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=oa.654965537895473&type=1
Commitment
Faith
http://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/broken-louie-zamperini
Louis Zamperini: Captured By Grace – Official Trailer
“Unbroken’s” Louis Zamperini: The Rest of the Story
*see Gospel changing story (https://www.facebook.com/groups/155630601282962/)
Movies
https://www.facebook.com/groups/162875853862124/
-Reviews
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/unbroken_2014/
http://www.christiananswers.net/spotlight/movies/2014/unbroken2014.html
Impact
http://banoosh.tv/watch-angelina-jolie-behind-scenes-movie-interview-director-producer-unbroken/
Obituary
http://www.twincities.com/ci_26081750/war-hero-olympian-zamperini-dies-at-97
Quotes
Sacrifices
Our greatest heroes don’t choose to be brave, it’s a part of who they are. #UnbrokenMovie
Speeches
Louis Zamperini (entire assembly)
Louis Zamperini – “Unbroken” by Men, Humbled by Jesus
Sports
-Track & Field
http://bringbackthemile.com/athletes/detail/louis_zamperini
http://likesuccess.com/author/louis-zamperini
Timeline
http://www.greenmellenmedia.com/a-timeline-of-louis-zamperinis-journey/
Sal’s Personal Blog Reflection
https://goodnewseverybodycom.wordpress.com/2014/12/28/personal-life-messages-from-the-movie-unbroken/
*join movie reviews
pic from http://www.extremelysharplife.com/survival/louis_zamperini_dies_at_97/
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