I finally got out of the heat today, and boy is it sweltering hot, and watched it. Very powerful. I thought it was well balanced, but then that is me.
I thought Tommy Lee Jones did an outstanding job of narrating it. I will certainly never ever pass through Redford again w/o thinking about it. I was ignorant of many of the details and circumstances. I've passed through Redford many times and have actually taken a driving tour of the town looking for a piece of land or home for sale for Fred. Fred wanted to retire there at one time.
Next time I pass through, I'll stop at the grave and the water well and pay my respects. I'd also like to meet the Redford historian. I'd like to go out there today. If I think it's hot here in East Texas, I bet it is beyond hot and dusty and dry in Redford.
I have to wonder how well kept a secret it was that the Marines were in the area? Perhaps not at Redford and not that day - but It's hard to keep something like that a secret. The Border Patrol knew about it. Border Patrol agents have friends, lovers, wives, and kiddos. People talk. Word spreads. In a sleepy little hamlet like Redford, I'm sure everyone hears it when a rabbit pisses on cotton. That's one of the reasons we need Boquillas and Santa Elena and Lajitas and La Linda and Redford and Candelaria reopened. No Taliban are going to get through there w/o someone knowing about it and reporting it. It's a good early warning system.
Next time you are out at Big Bend, Big Bend Ranch, passing through Redford, or over at Black Gap or over off of Pinto Canyon road - if you see a bush move and walk about, it might not be because you've been in the heat too long or had too many cerveza's
