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An Artist and Veteran Recognizes the Military at Academy Awards

By Zachary Leeman, LifeZette

The Academy Awards took a brief break from its almost endless politicking on Sunday night to recognize American veterans.

Actor Wes Studi, who has starred in “The Last of the Mohicans,”Heat,” and myriad other titles, took the stage and revealed he entered the National Guard at age 18.

He then revealed he’d served in the Vietnam War.

“I’m proud to have served there for 12 months,” he said.

After waiting a beat, he asked, “Anyone else?” Tellingly — there was no reaction at all from the Hollywood audience.

Studi congratulated artists who had chosen to recognize the harrowing stories of veterans from every war through their work. He introduced a film montage that included such movies as “Full Metal Jacket,” “A Few Good Men,” “American Sniper,” “Saving Private Ryan,” Black Hawk Down,” and many others.

Though the moment was brief and minuscule compared to all the political speeches earlier on, it was wonderful to see an actual veteran artist tip his hat to both this country’s servicemen and women — and the artists who choose to tell their stories.

This article was used with permission from LifeZette.

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