Film honoring veterans teaches
‘freedom isn’t free’

By Bobby Magill
Post Independent Staff
December 8, 2005

RIFLE, COLORADO — For Larry Cappetto, documenting on video the stories of American war veterans is his way to get those who have never dealt with war first hand to understand just what kind of sacrifices soldiers made to keep America free.

Wednesday — the 64th anniversary of Pearl Harbor — at the Rifle Funeral Home, Cappetto presented his film “Lest They Be Forgotten,” a veterans’ account of the horror of the American troops’ landing at Normandy in 1944.

The film was composed of some of the more than 200 interviews Cappetto has conducted with World War II veterans — more than 1,000 of whom die each day.

It’s important that young people learn about the sacrifices their forefathers made to ensure Americans’ freedom, he said. Many of today’s youth are eager to hear what veterans endured on the battlefield, he said.

“I hope they learn that freedom is not free,” Cappetto said.
But the impetus for the film wasn’t just to educate kids about the sacrifices made during wartime.

“I wanted to thank those veterans for what they did for our country,” Cappetto said. “It’s important we remember. An act of remembrance is an act of honor.”

Those attending the film — many of them veterans — reiterated how important they thought the film was, and that “freedom isn’t free.”
“I had tears in my eyes,” Michael Cain, of Rifle, said. “It’s the most touching thing I’ve ever seen.” He added that Americans need to show greater respect for veterans.

Funeral home owner Trey Holt said he invited Cappetto to show his film because he thought local veterans would appreciate the recognition.

Freedom in the United States is “something people take so lightly,” said Vietnam veteran Peter McGuire, of Rifle. “They’re not really aware of it. I think the U.S. should celebrate it more.”

Army National Guard Sgt. Bradley Harrison, who works at the Army’s High Altitude Training Center in Eagle, said it’s important to give veterans the support and recognition they deserve.

It’s easy to forget the sacrifices veterans made, he said, and echoed so many others at the presentation: “Freedom isn’t free.”

After prayers led by the Rev. Del Whittington, of the Open Door Church in Rifle, funeral home manager Kevin Brown sung a rousing rendition of Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the U.S.A.” Cappetto then announced he will be presenting the film before Congress in January.
In the spring, he wants to present the film in Glenwood Springs, but no date has been set.

For more information or to order copies of "Lest They Be Forgotten," contact Larry Cappetto at (970) 254-9262, e-mail larry@veteranshistory.org or visit the Web site at www.veteranshistory.org.