CPT EUNICE R KASAWALI PN(M)

NCSC 91
24 March 2021
Reaction Paper

HACKSAW RIDGE

“Thou shalt not kill” ( Exodus 20:13) is the sixth of the Ten Commandments, and,
during peacetime, it is most definitely true; but, during times of war, the same cannot be
said. It allows for justified killing in the context of warfare, capital punishment, and self-
defense. (www.camphillboys.bhamp.sch.uk)

Hacksaw Ridge is a film that depicted the real-life story of Desmond Doss written
by the author and journalist, an Ausralian TV writer and producer of film and television.
Andrew John Knight (born 29 September 1953) was released in the United States on
November 4, 2016) wherein the author received the 2016 AACTA Award for Best Original
Screenplay for this movie. This real-life story depicted in the said film is the life of
Desmond Doss (February 7, 1919 – March 23, 2006) as a soldier, married man, hero,
savior, and God-fearing man who was awarded the Medal of Valor in 1945 from President
Harry S. Truman during World War II.

At the beginning of this reaction paper, I quoted the Sixth Commandment to which
Desmond Doss's life entirely evolved. Motivated by his early life experience, he earned
the courage to help a person in need. Having confidence in what we hope for and
assurance about what we do not see.

During his military, being bullied and hazed does not impede him from being
excellent in mental and physical attributes. That means he is learning from the training
and find it easy for him and aptly apply what he learned in every exercise. Only one thing
that became an obstacle to his growing and developing skills in training is his refusal to
handle a rifle and train on Saturday because of his belief being as a Seventh Day
Adventist. He was accused of insubordination. Despite the underlying circumstances,
through solid determination and trust in God, overcoming these trials was easy. In the
current era, we cannot deny that discrimination does not exist; the worst scenario is
getting beaten or haze to make you quit. But if you believe in yourself and determine that
this is your calling, to serve your country, nothing is impossible.

That strength is manifested in his adept skills in medic rescuing many of his
wounded fellows. After all the torments during training days, taking no vengeance is such
an ingredient to his dedicated life in the service. The fearlessness showed during the
ongoing firefight was heroic to save his fellow soldiers. Absolving what he has undergone
and helping those who initiated such hazing was God-fearing. Obeying the rules of their
religion and living in a way that is considered morally correct. By all means, he applied
what he has learned to save lives even with the enemies. For him, life is an individual
human being regardless of kind and origin that only God has the right to take it. His good
deed is reflected in Jesus' teachings, “Jesus healed the wound of Malchus, servant of the
Jewish High Priest Caiaphas after Simon Peter cut off the servant's ear in an attempt to
prevent the arrest of Jesus." In context, as soldiers, we must have the courage to conquer
fear and the determination to complete our mission even in the worst circumstances.

Desmond Doss is a man of exemplary leadership, courage, and honor. Thru his
nurturing spirit as medical combat personnel, courage brought him to a milestone of
success. He remained a man who learned to lead by example in his abilities; taking such
challenging responsibility was not that easy, but a death-defying example of heroism. The
performance of exceptional actions in their social significance corresponds to the people's
interests or advanced classes and requires personal courage, firmness, and readiness
for self-sacrifice.

Whatever challenges come across our path, minding disappointment must be the
last thing to think about, push through those challenges, and find ways to get through
them, and stand firm to perform your duties and responsibilities as tasked. Be fearless
and determine as a soldier who took an oath to serve the country and protect the people
while having God as the center of your life, source of strength and wisdom in hurdling the
obstacles and trials. “When all else fails, turn to Him, and He will do the rest.”