the Last Full Measure--West Wing homeless vet

[Tigerman1138]

In my days in an amateur radio club outside of Buffalo I attended a funeral for a member I never had the pleasure of knowing. He was what we called a "silent key", a dead amateur radio operator, no longer at their (Morse) Code Key. I was largely influenced by this episode. I have become a Freemason and always attend funerals for Brothers I didn't know in the hopes that someday others whom I may not have known will stand for me. My brother and father attended many 9/11 funerals for firefighters.

[hallesdad]

my father was buried this year with a full Marine honor gaurd... i've never seen anything more beautiful

[saulpaulus]

@hallesdad Sorry about your dad. Glad he was honored. We had all to do to get the flag my dad was due.

[Tigerman1138]

@hallesdad I've attended a number of Masonic funerals. They are beautiful and the family often thanks us for the beauty and the honor it brings. I am always happy to take part.

[BuckshotLaFunke1]

@Tigerman1138 I can well believe it. Same with the Odd Fellows.

[ANG3LW1NG5]

What was Toby doing in Baltimore?

[saulpaulus]

@ANG3LW1NG5 I think it was supposed to be DC. Perhaps they filmed it in Baltimore.

[Zefferwindow]

@saulpaulus I think ANG3LW1NG5 was referring to the fact that the police detective is played by Lance Reddick who later became known for playing Lt. Cedric Daniels on The Wire. It's a police procedural set in Baltimore.

[mindylinky]

Aww

[TheTrimby1973]

I feel Toby's response to if he was there or not was to draw attention to Walter and away from himself. Toby is one of my favorites, even before I saw this episode. Richard Shiff deserves 10 awards for acting!

[pulidogs]

This was an actual honor guard and an actual chaplain. The other unidentified gentleman is/was the superintendent of Arlington National Cemetery

[TheTrimby1973]

My grandfather was buried with a military funeral. It was the local VFW who provided the 21 gun salute, the chaplain, the bugler. It is a very intense moment when you hear the bugle, and hear the shots. The folding of the flag is a very moving experience. I hope ALL veterans can have this honor and dignity when they pass.

[c0nd0rd4myt]

There is no way you can possibly get over soldiers mourning there own, or the sight of a military grave. In the boy scouts, I helped plant flags in the military cemetary of Rosecrans in California on memorial day, for several years. There wasn't a single time I was up there in the early morning and the blankets of fog that come off the ocean that I didn't cry. This scene is always a reminder of the brave people who never got the chance to be buried there.

Honor, Courage, Commitment! USA!

[saulpaulus]

@c0nd0rd4myt I am sure those memorials are very moving. I do hope, however, that we can do more for these vets while they are still alive. That one veteran should be homeless is a disgrace, but there are thousands.

[jokr8790]

One out of four veterans in the United States are homeless. The Rethuglican majority in the Congress has voted to reduce veterans' benefits even more than they are already. I guess "support our troops" really IS just a bumper sticker.

[saulpaulus]

@jokr8790 For some it certainly is. The worst are the chickenhawks. They are the ones who, like Cheney, had "other priorities" when it was time to serve their country in Vietnam. They are also the ones who are most anxious to get the US involved in wars that other peoples' children can fight & die in. And I'll just bet they are also the ones blocking programs to protect the poor and needy.

[jrcasselman]

@jokr8790

We have homeless veterans up here in Canada as well. Not as many, numerically or proportionally, but as far as I am concerned one homeless veteran is too many.

[ksol1460tv]

Thank you for running this. I had the exact same video up for several years and it got flagged and removed.

This is West Wing's finest moment.

Bluejay

[baylinkdashyt]

Aaron Sorkin can make me cry just any old damn time he wants to.

I've always wondered whether that was an *actual* USMC honor guard; getting to be that crisp at that stuff is *not* something a bunch of actors walk in and essay over a weekend... Anyone know?

[saulpaulus]

@baylinkdashyt Doubt they could use an actual Marine honor guard. Probably a drill team. Next time I watch the episode, I'll try to attend to the credits and post an answer.

[ksol1460tv]

@baylinkdashyt It was really them. They take any and every opportunity to show what they do with such pride.

[722redtree]

@baylinkdashyt Someone posted this on another copy of this video: This has been said in other copies of this video, but the only actors in the funeral scene are Toby, Mrs. Landingham, and the veteran's brother. The Chaplain and the Marine honor guard were all active duty, and the 3rd man in civilian clothes was the Superintendent of Arlington Cemetery at the time. The Pentagon read the script when Sorkin asked for permission and was so moved that they provided an authentic funeral.

[klamath632]

@baylinkdashyt after reading through the script, the Pentagon was very touched by the handling of the story line... they were so impressed that they gave the show access to film at Arlington National Cemetery ... The DoD then supplied the Marine Honor Guard and chaplain, and set up the whole funeral. During the funeral scene, all persons in uniform are members of the U.S. Armed Forces, performing their actual roles in a military funeral. (from imdb)

[PrisonerNumber9653]

It's always striking, the contrast between the sweet, innocent faces in the childrens' chior and the haggard, tired face of Walter's brother, out in the biting cold and wind. I think of those kids being picked up in minivans and going home to a big tree, and Christmas presents, and the other guys just going back to their bridge and their shelter, alone. What's moving about Toby's actions isn't the funeral, it's that a guy who was ignored for so long was a person, again...even in death.

[saulpaulus]

@PrisonerNumber9653 Sad though that he would have to wait until death to be recognized. There are many homeless vets even now. Was reading where the editors of the WaPo are only concerned about cutting the healthcare portion of the military budget as opposed to weapon systems. Sometimes I think that we should return to the draft and not allow deferments or exemptions. If these people & their children were required to serve, there would be no thought of cutting such funding.

[jimjimmyjames59]

I just fell apart watching this.

[throbbylovegusset]

One day I would like to have guts like Toby!

[saulpaulus]

@throbbylovegusset You mean in helping the homeless or stepping outside the box to get something done in general?

[throbbylovegusset]

@saulpaulus both!

[44whf]

So wonderfully writen. We can all learn from this.

[44whf]

Isn't this what life is all about....caring for others.

[MrTmj1991]

I watch this episode every Christmas

[vinniewc1]

Perhaps my favorite episode of the whole series. Toby was an idealist and the conscience of the West Wing. "I can only? hope, sir." gets me every time.

[saulpaulus]

@vinniewc1 Like Toby, we all need to find ways to make a difference.

[kcg5000]

@vinniewc1 Came to write that line.

[billionaireby16]

@vinniewc1 That is one hellova line; I love how it just sat in the air between the two of them... It was like no matter how busy you are, when you hear the ideal, the truth, you must stop what you're doing or saying, acknowledge it and appreciate it. Give em' Hell TOBY!!!

[billionaireby16]

@vinniewc1 That is one hellova line; I love how it just sat in the air between the two of them... It was like no matter how busy you are, when you hear the ideal, the truth, you must stop what you're doing or saying, acknowledge it and appreciate it. Give em' Hell TOBY!

[vinniewc1]

Perhaps my favorite episode of the whole series. Toby was an idealist and the conscience of the West Wing. "I can only? hope, sir." gets me every time.

[hencakk]

This scene makes me well up every time I see it...

[wuzzaman]

Great scene though I never liked them wincing when the bullets are fired - realistic perhaps but kinda takes away from the solemnity of the scene

[SamUnfiltered2010]

I love Toby's response "I can only hope sir" Good for him!!!

[saulpaulus]

Toby had his moments.

[newfieboy58]

Toby- I can only hope sir

[step5732]

"Toby, I'd like to come along" - tears!

[saulpaulus]

Yes, interesting how she goes from scolding him to affirmation--no doubt because of her sons.

[step5732]

Mrs. Landingham is a "by the book" lady, always doing what is expected. You can tell that she's breaking down a bit when she asks to come along. She's one of my favorite actresses! Have you seen her on Scrubs? Priceless!

[saulpaulus]

Wasn't aware she was on Scrubs. Thought I read something about her being on Desperate Housewives though. She was just in the news because she has cancer. Think it is lung cancer. Hope she pulls through.

[step5732]

I didn't know she had cancer - that's too bad. If you ever watch scrubs - check out the episodes she's in, I think the major one is "My Old Lady", but she's in a few others. She's a wonderful actress, reminds you of your Grandma!

[saulpaulus]

to me, more like a favorite old teacher....but I hear ya.

[Tigerman1138]

@step5732 I remember watching this when it first broadcast and loving Mrs. Landingham's response to the funeral and request to come along. Toby just shows her welcome with his arm. I wanted to hug her at that moment. She I think spoke for all of us at home watching. I felt she was at that moment everyone's mother at that point.

[livingformyself]

This episode makes me cry EVERY time! The scene with the brother just absolutely breaks my heart. It's even more sad considering the state of homeless and veterans affairs in the US.

[saulpaulus]

The First Lady has pledged to help these people. Hope she follows through.

[axonneuron]

Me too. A little bit. I was in for 12 years. Navy and Marines. It's sad and shameful what happens to Vets sometimes. Thank for posting this.

[saulpaulus]

I am ex-Navy myself. You are welcome.

[saulpaulus]

Yes, I thought that was an effective line as well.

[Jimanjee21]

"You don't think every homeless veteran will come out of the woodwork?"

"I can only hope, sir."

[step5732]

yes, Toby is wonderful. And Josh, and Mrs. Landingham, and Donna, and Sam, and Abby, and Jed...they are what we hope for!

[saulpaulus]

The change we need comes from inside of us.

[progressivist]

I think Toby is the soul of The West Wing.

[kinneyesq]

He seemed to choked on his words when he told the brother that he was an influential, a powerful person. He seemed to realize the absurdity of it, the inadequacy of human compassion, the bitter briefness of life. A beautiful story and very finely acted.

[saulpaulus]

Not Josh?

[saulpaulus]

Toby is a grump, but he has his moments.

[step5732]

You have to love Toby! And Mrs. Landingham - she is so sweet!