"The United States intervened in the conflict between the North and the South Vietnam." "48.000 Puertorricans participated..." "Let's go." "Raúl!" "Raúl!" "HEROES FROM ANOTHER LAND" "Carlos!" "It's me." "Esteban." "I'm sorry." "What happened?" "Nothing new." "The same shit." "Heat. dampness..." "Mosquitoes." "The Vietcong." "Look. we are still at war." "Is that funny?" "What happened to you man?" "Why are you in such a bad mood?" "You still ask?" "Today's mission?" "They said it was hot. wasn't it?" "Hot?" "I know." "I have enjoyed those trips." "I do know them perfectly." "Talking about trips." "I'm leaving tomorrow." "At last. good news." "When did you find out?" "This morning." "That's great!" "Would you do me a favor?" "Of course. buddy." "A few days ago." "I wrote a letter for my mom... and I couldn't send it because of this stupid mission." "Would I be too much to ask you to give it to her?" "From your hands to hers." "Let's go." "It was here." "I'm pretty sure." "Where the hell is it?" "Take it easy." "It doesn't have feet." "It can't go anywhere." "Or maybe it can." "It may have deserted." "Maybe you sent it and you don't remember." "Or it may be in that big mess." "Here it is!" "I am not insane yet." "When you see my mom." "tell her that you saw me..." "That I miss them." "Tell her that I am very well." "You must be excited to go home." "I envy you." "What is it?" "You don't want to leave?" "Why wouldn't I?" "Then. why that face?" "It's been over two years." "Carlos." "That's a long time." "Does it matter?" "You're returning in one piece." "What are you thinking about?" "And you?" "I asked you first." "About those who will not return." "Sometimes I think the same." "Listen. don't you think there are too many?" "Figueroa..." "Nieves..." "Rosario..." "Then." "Soto..." "Remember Rafa?" "He wasn't nineteen yet." "Yes." "When he got his first mission... he asked me to teach him to smoke." "Where is the letter. buddy?" "Don't worry." "Thank you." "Do you want to know something?" "When I arrived here at the beginning..." "I felt like you do." "like a stranger." "What do you mean?" "Whenever I returned from the field..." "I felt like nothing mattered to me anymore." "That won't happen to me." "Hey buddy!" "How about a beer?" "First thing you've have said that makes sense." "Hey. you haven't told me where you live." "I have to know where to deliver your letter." "Of course." "I'll write the address down." "How about a toast?" "What are we making a toast for?" "There must be a good reason." "How about for the letter?" "To your return!" "Lamar!" "Report to the Lieutenant." "What?" "The lieutenant wants you." "Well. so much for the beer." "Hey. buddy." "I thought your bad temper was over." "What was the metting about?" "It's good you're getting out of here." "I know that but..." "why are you so mad?" "They assigned me to another mission." "It's probably more dangerous than the last one." "When are you leaving?" "Tomorrow at dawn." "Shit. but you just got back from the field." "You heard it." "Could it be that the lieutenant doesn't like you?" "That happens a lot around here." "It's not that." "There's another Puerto Rican on this mission." "Raul... you know him." "Raul?" "I'm sure he didn't complain..." "He likes this shit." "Yeah." "I think so." "He didn't say anything." "as if he agreed." "Did you pack your things?" "Yeah." "I was doing that just now." "I'm taking a few things for my mom. my brother my girlfriend." "You have my letter. right?" "What letter?" "What do you mean what letter?" "Ok." "It was a joke. relax." "It's safe right here." "Listen. they'll be very happy when they see it." "They'll be happier when I get back." "Get that out of your head." "You don't have much left." "Time goes by real fast here." "I'm not taking it out of my head." "It's what keeps me here alive." "Tell me. what did you think about when you were alone?" "I thought about so many things." "Really?" "Tell me one of them." "I don't know what to say." "It's ok." "You're leaving tomorrow and that's what matters." "Is that you." "Esther?" "Esther. what is it?" "Tell me what's going on!" "Nothing is happening!" "You walked in like you were possessed by the devil." "Where have you been?" "At Don Francisco's home." "What?" "What were you doing there?" "Mom..." "I was asking him for a loan." "Since we are out of money..." "Why did in the world did you ask that old man for money?" "What happened?" "Esther. tell me what happened there?" "He made a pass at me." "Honey. you didn't have anything to do in that place." "What do you mean I had nothing to do there?" "We're having soup again!" "I'm fed up with soups." "Thank God that at least we have soup for dinner." "Well." "I can't take it anymore." "You can't?" "What about me?" "First. they took your father to Korea and he got killed." "Now. they took Carlos away to another war in Vietnam." "There is not a single moment I don't think about my son." "Besides. we are in this situation... because Carlos is not here." "I'm fed up too..." "And not only of eating soup." "I'll get better." "No. mom. no." "Next week. another three guys are leaving." "We don't care about those leaving." "All I wan't is to see my son Carlos come back." "Guys who go to Vietnam don't return." "Why don't they return?" "If they return." "they come back insane." "I forbid you to talk like that about your brother." "You know how Joselo returned." "Mom. it's not that I don't want Carlos to come back." "This situation is getting to me... and I'm just trying to cope with it." "I know." "I know." "I don't want you to worry too much. ok?" "I'll do my best." "I know..." "But promise me you won't go to that old man's house." "Anyway. you walked through that door like a tornado." "You haven't asked for my blessing." "How was school?" "And the job?" "It went fine." "Excuse me?" "It was fine at school and at work." "And what else?" "Bless me." "Now we can start." "For God's sake." "promise me you won't go to that old man's again." "Don't worry." "I won't." "Thanks." "Mom..." "Yes." "I'm starving." "It's you lucky day..." "We have chicken soup." "Same as yesterday." "What did you say?" "Like yesterday. mom." "No. wait a minute." "Not like yesterday." "Yesterday. we had chicken broth." "Today is chicken soup." "C'mon. let's eat." "The tomatoes are fresh today!" "Sweetie. what are you doing there?" "Nothing. just looking at these fabrics." "They are beautiful." "Indeed. these colors are nice." "I can make a dress for you senior prom." "Are you crazy. mom?" "We have no money." "Don't worry." "We have God's blessings." "Let me see." "I have an idea for a nice dress." "Wait. hold you hair up." "Mom. please." "this is embarrassing." "Hold it here." "You're going to be the best dressed girl at the party." "Mom." "I appreciate this." "but we have no money for these luxuries." "What luxuries?" "This is just two dollars a yard. that's no luxury." "You'll see how all the boys will be after you." "Don't look at me like that. someday you'll have... a boyfriend and someday you'll get married." "You're not going to become an old maid." "We already have an old maid in your father's sister." "I'm taking this piece with me." "There's about four yards." "Thanks." "C'mon." "You'll see the beautifull dress I'll make for you." "Don't forget what you bought." "I'll pick it up." "It's only a girl." "Any ammunition left?" "Just one." "We have to get out of here." "One. two. three." "Not that way!" "I'll get you out of here. right away." "What's all that?" "Nothing." "I'm studying." "Studying?" "Why?" "Are you surprised?" "No." "I see so many papers I haven't seen before." "They're applications forms for the university." "Do you want to see them?" "What are you planning to study?" "What is it?" "I don't know." "I like so many things." "It's so difficult to choose." "Look at this." "Take whatever you like most." "Well." "I would like to be a teacher." "A teacher!" "Yes. a teacher..." "It sounds great." "When were you going to tell me?" "Mom." "I didn't know how you would react." "You are interested in getting ahead... and that's what matters." "Is the university far?" "I don't know." "Maybe I could go to the Catholic University." "Is that the one around here?" "Yes. that's the one where I'd like to be accepted." "Yes. that's a good one." "I don't want you to think that I don't want you... to leave this house." "Yes. of course." "It's been so long since we've heard good news... in this house." "And so important." "We are safe here." "Many choppers fly around and one of them will se us." "How do you feel?" "Carlos..." "It looks like you fainted." "The fight was intense. wasn't it?" "How far are we?" "About five miles." "You have to get there." "Raúl." "I know." "I know." "You'll feel better when we get back." "I hope you feel better." "I'm all right." "No." "I'm tired." "I've been carrying you all day!" "I wasn't referring to that." "What. then?" "You are here alone." "You don't think about your people." "What people?" "Your family." "I'm trying to get us out of here... and you expect me to think about my family?" "That doesn't matter now." "I'm fine." "You should think about them." "They must worry about you." "I guess so." "You haven't written to them once." "How would you know?" "We shouldn't be talking so much." "There's still a lot of walking to do." "I bet when you were drafted." "you never thought... you would end up in a situation like this." "Like what?" "To be so close to death and so far from home." "No." "I haven't thought about that." "Why not?" "Because I'm not far from home." "You are." "My home is in the army." "Here." "I have a family and many people to protect." "Your mother. your father." "you brothers and sisters..." "What are they?" "You're talking too much." "I'm getting a headache." "Shut up!" "They are very proud of me for being here." "Are you sure?" "You're not sure." "Yes." "I am." "Look. you don't know what my family feels for me." "You don't even know what I am doing here!" "Doing what?" "What do you mean doing what?" "We're fighting communism." "Carlos." "We're helping this country to get ahead." "You have to do all you can to go back home." "Not back to camp." "but to Puerto Rico." "Would you shut up." "Sorry." "I didn't think the subject was bothering you." "It bothers me and a lot." "What Raúl?" "Tell me what bothers you." "Carlos." "I'm here to protect this country." "That's my responsibility and I'm going to comply with it." "There is a lot to walk." "Esteban!" "I'm fine." "I'm fine." "Fresh coffee for you." "Thank you. mom." "I suppose you want to rest... before you go see your friends." "I'm tired. but I would like to see everybody." "I guess. after all these years." "Mom. it was only two years." "Two years..." "That's an eternity." "You are right." "I was so anxious to come home." "What's that letter?" "A friend of mine." "A Puertorican soldier gave it to me in Vietnam... and I promise to take it to his mother." "Then. take it right away." "She wants to know about her son." "Thank God mine is here." "What do you want?" "Is your mom here?" "What do you want?" "I just want to see your mother." "This man wants to see you." "What is it?" "It's about the house rent." "Well. tell me about it." "You know that you owe me eight months." "And?" "Aren't you going to pay?" "Yes. we are going to pay." "but it doesn't matter to you." "We're both working now... and I'm pretty sure our situation will improve." "That's not enough." "My daughter is working after school and and I'm working." "How can you say that's not enough?" "I really don't care what you do." "You owe me almost a year and if you don't pay... out you go." "We are trying as much as we can." "My daughter. my son and I..." "Your son is not here!" "No. he is not here because he is in the Vietnam War." "That's where they take away unfortunate people." "Where is your son?" "Is he all right?" "I'm sorry." "You will have to vacate the house." "We aren't getting out of here." "But..." "But nothing!" "When my son was here." "you were paid on time!" "Without a single delay!" "Now. he is in Vietnam." "maybe frightened to death." "Only God knows what he's going through." "And you say that we have to vacate. but we won't." "This is Carlos' home and we won't leave until he returns." "You know I'm just doing my job." "Go the same way you came." "so that you may keep your job." "I don't have all day for discussions!" "I'm giving you one week to pay half of the amount owed." "If you don't." "you will have to..." "When you come back." "you'll have the money. ok?" "I hope so. good afternoon." "Not so good..." "Come on baby." "I want to show you something." "Come on. forget about it." "I don't know." "it feels too tight." "Esther. let me fit the dress." "Your squeezing me." "Don't press too hard or I won't be able to breathe." "The waistline and hips must be trimmed to be perfect." "Oh. yes..." "Wait. let me see..." "Mom... it's beautiful." "It fits my shape." "Of course. you got it from me." "You'll be the most beautiful girl of the party." "Don't exaggerate!" "Well. if not the most beautiful... at least the most elegant." "You haven't told me who your partner is." "Rafael. mom." "Who's that Rafael?" "Rafael..." "Yayi and Manuel's son. why?" "No. it's nothing." "As your mother." "I just want to know." "His oldest brother was Carlos best friend." "Nothing will happen to Carlos." "Everybody loved him." "Mom. don't think that what happened to him... will happen to Carlos..." "This war is taking away our sons... and now the youngest ones are leaving." "They are almost children." "They are drafting everyone." "If this war lasts longer. what will be of this neighborhood?" "Loneliness and old age will be our companions." "Not even widows like me will be around." "Mom. don't get so upset. forgive me." "For what?" "I don't know. but this situation about Carlos is making me very anxious." "No. you are fine." "You are doing the right thing." "You miss your brother and you want to see him as much." "Well. let's finish this job." "Get up there." "I have to finish this." "You're going to pinch me again!" "Not if you don't move." "Ok. but take out the pins." "I took out the one bothering you." "Hey..." "You haven't said anything about you friend before." "Well. because he didn't say anything to me." "Hey. wait a minute." "How come he didn't?" "He didn't invite me until yesterday." "Until yesterday?" "Then you are forgiven." "Hello. how are you?" "Very well. just working." "How is your mother?" "She is fine." "She liked the idea of you taking me to the party." "You haven't forgotten. have you?" "Are you telling me you forgot?" "No..." "It's my job." "I'm tired of changing tires all day long." "Anything wrong with you?" "No. nothing." "Yes. something is going on and you don't want to tell me." "Nothing important..." "Then. tell me." "Tell you what?" "Then. why don't you say what's wrong with you?" "I told you already." "nothing important." "Then. why don't you tell me about it?" "I don't like things like that." "To tell you the truth." "it's about the job." "I'm just tired." "That's all." "Well." "I just came here to make sure... you're taking me to the party." "Nothing in this world will stop me from taking you." "I'll pick you up at 7:30." "See you tomorrow." "See you tomorrow." "We can rest here." "Carlos. how do you feel?" "Aren't you going to talk as you do all the time?" "What for?" "You don't like it when I talk." "Just to keep me company." "Sometimes I get bored." "How do you feel?" "We have about half a day to go." "Do you think you can hold?" "I'm fine." "What is it?" "I've been carrying you all day!" "I can leave you here if you want." "You wouldn't abandon anybody." "You're not like that." "Don't mess around with me and don't treat me like that." "You would never abandon a fellow Puerto Rican." "A good soldier never abandons his combat buddy." "Is that what I am. a combat buddy?" "I come from the same place you do." "We have to go." "Raúl." "Why did you bring me here?" "I just wanted to tell you something." "What do you have to tell me?" "I don't know where to start." "Why don't you start at the beginning?" "Is that..." "Yes. tell me." "I am afraid I will have to go to..." "I received the letter." "You know. the letter every guy fears to receive." "You are not saying that... you received the letter from the army?" "You are not going to Vietnam. are you?" "I thought you were going to tell me something different." "I wanted to tell you. yesterday." "Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" "Because I couldn't." "because I was afraid." "I still am." "Please don't cry. don't cry." "I thought tonight was going to be special." "Special. of course." "Everything is going to be different." "Yes. of course." "It's going to be different." "First. my father is taken away... then my brother. and now you." "Don't worry about that." "What do you mean?" "Do you think that if I stop worrying... none of you will be taken away?" "When I get back it will be different." "It's not going to be different." "Rafael!" "It won't be different." "We must be close." "Tell me." "Carlos." "Where were you drafted?" "Why do you want to know?" "Curiosity. that's all." "I was enlisted at Fort Brooks. voluntarily." "What?" "When I got back from New York." "But. why Raúl?" "Nobody I know wanted to come... and centainly not as a volunteer." "I did." "I like this." "I see..." "You are like those people who think this is a game." "No." "I knew very well what to expect." "What did you know about?" "Know about what?" "About the war." "You knew where you were going and why." "Of course I knew!" "To put order in this country." "And why should you?" "It was my responsibility." "Quite a responsibility." "don't you think?" "It doesn't matter anymore." "I do whatever I please." "Consider yourself lucky if you do as you please." "For most of us it was this or going to jail." "Once here. they should give the best of them." "They are giving their lives for a war... none of them understands... and they weren't even consulted." "I can't talk with you." "you give me a headache." "I volunteered and I am not the only one." "Besides. we are here because we have to." "Nobody is apared." "Are you sure about that?" "Don't you think you're just cannon fodder?" "A toy soldier that can be manipulated?" "Think about that." "Raul!" "I got a headache for thinking too much." "Shut up!" "It's better." "Let me concentrate on how to get back to the camp." "You'll get there." "Raúl..." "But it's going to be different." "Why will it be different?" "Nothing has to change." "Everything changes." "you'll see..." "Things are fine the way they are." "Yes. but you are not." "You are getting into my personal life!" "I just want to help you." "I don't need any help." "Yes." "I feel better now." "Let's get out of here!" "Good morning!" "i'm comingi" "Good morning. madam." "Esther!" "Calm down. madam." "Something happened to my brother?" "No. on the contrary." "I have good news from him." "Carlos is fine." "Don't worry." "I'm sorry." "Please. come in." "Thanks." "Freshly brewed coffee." "Very good." "Thank you. madam." "I had already forgotten the smell of good coffee." "Why is that?" "Don't they serve coffee?" "They do. but only a fair imitation." "What is that?" "Mom. it's only a joke." "Tell us. how is Carlos?" "He will tell you in this letter." "I'm so nervous." "Read it yourself." ""I hope you are fine. "" ""To this moment I'm writing." "I am also fine. "" ""I don't have a cold." "I'm not hungry..." ""and I have some money left to buy candy. "" ""I'm so anxious to get back home. "" ""I enclose some money for the rent and a little more. "" ""At night. when it's quiet and I feel tired..." ""I walk around the camp." "as if I were back at home. "" ""I think about you a lot..." ""about mom's cravings..." ""Esther's rages..." ""the smell of food..." ""and clean sheets. "" ""Only then can I fall asleep. "" ""We are being assigned to more dangerous missions..." ""but war is like that. "" ""It may sound strange." "but I miss you so much. "" ""I hope to be back soon." "All my love." "Carlos. "" "Carlos..." "Are you ok?" "You scared me." "We are getting closer." "The choppers will be around here anytime." "You'll be alright." "After taking you to the hospital..." "I will write a letter to my mother." "She'll be very glad." "I still have three months to go." "Three months go by fast." "Yes. but." "I want to go back home soon." "Raúl. relax." "Take a number and wait for your turn." "Why are you so anxious." "to get back now?" "I've been thinking." "About what?" "About my people there." "about my island." "My friends. family." "You were right." "I am needed at home more than here." "Is that all?" "I shouldn't be here." "My head hurts." "Talking to you gives me a headache." "Don't worry." "It won't hurt you anymore." "When I was a little boy..." "I dreamed of being a soldier." "Look a me now." "I'm a real soldier." "aren't I. Carlos?" "What did they bring us here for?" "I want to go home." "We have to go." "Let's go." "Somebody is coming!" "They are speaking English." "They came for us Carlos!" "We're safe!" "Don't shoot." "It's me!" "Help him!" "Help him!" "Carlos. they're taking us home." "You're gonna be all right." "Help. help me to get him up!" "Help me. help me!" "Help me picking him up!" "Carlos get up!" "Let's go home." "Help me!" "Come on. get up." "Carlos!" "You're going to get well. you'll see." "Are you all right?" "What is it?" "Nothing." "How is Carlos?" "He is fine as always." "Let's go." "Statistics reveal that the proportion of casualties among Puerto Rican soldiers was four times higher than among American soldiers." "This movie is dedicated to all Puerto Ricans who fought in Vietnam." "and gave the best ofthemselves: their lives." "Subtitling Services Dialogue Replacement Services Miami." "FL"