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WCNY Specials | The Falling and the Rising | Season 2021 | Episode 6

>> Jerre Dye: IF YOU WERE GOING TO WATCH THE FALLING AND THE RISING FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME, WHAT I HOPE THAT YOU WOULD ENCOUNTER IS A STORY ABOUT FAMILY AND ABOUT SERVICE.

>> Ben Hilgert: IT'S AN OPERA BASED ON REAL SOLDIER'S STORIES.

>> Jim Keene: IT TELLS THE STORY OF REAL PEOPLE, REAL SOLDIERS WHO HAVE BIG CHALLENGES.

>> Zach Redler: IT'S ABOUT FAMILY, IT'S ABOUT SACRIFICE AND IT'S ABOUT SERVICE.

>> John Rozzoni: IT TELLS THESE DEEPLY HUMAN STORIES THAT OPERA IS SO FAMILIAR WITH IN A WAY THAT CONNECTS WITH THE AUDIENCES OF TODAY.

>> Ben Hilgert: OUR HERO, OUR SOLDIER, DEALS WITH HER OWN SERVICE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO HER, HER FAMILY, AND OVERCOMES OBSTACLES THROUGH THE RESILIENCY AND TEAMWORK OF FELLOW SOLDIERS.

>> Teresa Alzadon: ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE LEARN ABOUT MY CHARACTER IS THAT SHE'S A MOM, AND AS A DEPLOYED SOLDIER, SHE'S STRUGGLING WITH THE SEPARATION FROM HER DAUGHTER.

>> Ben Hilgert: AND HER FIRST ENCOUNTER IS A SOLDIER NAMED TOLEDO.

AS SHE WORKS THROUGH SOME RECENT STRUGGLES, RECENT EXPERIENCES WHILE SHE'S DEPLOYED.

SOLDIER'S NEXT ENCOUNTER IS A JUMP MASTER, IT EMBODIES THAT THING ALL OF US SOLDIERS EXPERIENCE, ARMY TRAINING AND THAT SOLDIER THAT'S THERE TO HELP YOU DIG DEEPER THAN YOU KNEW WAS POSSIBLE.

>> Teresa Alzadon: WE CAN SUPPORT YOU AS YOUR FRIENDS, BUT WHEN IT COMES RIGHT DOWN TO IT, ONLY YOU CAN BE THE ONE TO MAKE THAT DECISION TO PUSH FORWARD.

>> Ben Hilgert: AFTER JUMPER, SHE STUMBLES UPON COLONEL WHO IS SETTING HIS DINING ROOM UP FOR AN ANNIVERSARY DINNER, BUT HIS WIFE IS RECENTLY PASSED.

LASTLY, OUR SOLDIER ENCOUNTERS A TESTIMONY, A HOMECOMING SOLDIER WHO'S BEEN ASKED BY HIS PASTOR AND CONGREGATION TO TALK ABOUT HIS TRUTH.

>> Teresa Alzadon: GETTING TO WATCH THESE CHARACTERS LIFT EACH OTHER UP.

AND SUPPORT ONE ANOTHER REALLY HELPS US TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ARMY IS AN AMAZING TEAM, AND THAT TOGETHER, WE'RE CAPABLE OF SO MUCH MORE THAN WE ARE INDIVIDUALLY.

>> Jim Keene: ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK THAT AMERICANS RELATE TO IS SOLDIERS WHO MISS THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WE UNDERSTAND HOW TOUGH IT IS, WHAT WE ASK OUR SOLDIERS TO DO FOR US AS AMERICANS.

>> Teresa Alzadon: >> Teresa Alzadon: SERVICE MEMBERS RELY ON THAT SUPPORT SYSTEM OF THEIR FAMILIES SO THAT THEY CAN GO OUT AND DO THE VERY IMPORTANT WORK THAT THEY NEED TO DO EVERY DAY.

>> Jim Keene: WITHOUT FAMILIES, YOU DON'T REALLY HAVE THE FULL PICTURE OF WHO A SOLDIER REALLY IS.

>> Teresa Alzadon: ALTHOUGH THE OPERA DEALS WITH HEAVY TOPICS AND STRUGGLE AND PAIN, I THINK THAT OVERALL, IT IS ABSOLUTELY A STORY OF UPLIFT AND OF HOPE AND RESILIENCE.

>> Jerre Dye: I WAS INVITED TO CONDUCT INTERVIEWS AT FORT MEADE, FORT BRAGG, AT WALTER REED, WITH SERVICE MEMBERS, THEIR FAMILIES, AND VETERANS, AND COLLECT STORIES AND TURN THOSE STORIES INTO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL.

>> Teresa Alzadon: THEIR STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE IS TRULY INSPIRATIONAL.

>> Jim Keene: THE SPIRIT OF THE SOLDIER, OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIER, THAT CAN BE COUNTED ON TO COME BACK FROM ANY ADVERSITY AND TO NEVER QUIT, TO ALWAYS REPRESENT THE BEST OF ALL OF US.

>> Dennis Thompson: EVERY LINE OF IT ECHOES MY EXPERIENCE IN THE ARMY.

I THINK IT BRINGS US ALL TOGETHER AND ESPECIALLY FOR A RETIREE, IT BRINGS US BACK TO THE BROTHERS AND SISTERS WE SERVED WITH IN THE ARMY.

THIS HAS BEEN A VERY CATHARTIC EXPERIENCE FOR ME.

>> John Rozzoni: TRI-CITIES OPERA IS THRILLED TO BE RETURNING TO LIVE PERFORMANCE WITH THIS PIECE.

WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO STEP INTO THE FUTURE OF WHAT OPERA IS GOING TO BE.

AND TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO OUR AUDIENCE WITH SOMETHING SO CURRENT, SO RELEVANT, SOMETHING THAT IS MEANT TO ENGAGE THEM IN THIS WAY IS INCREDIBLY EXCITING FOR US AS A COMPANY, AND WHAT BETTER SHOW TO DO THIS WITH THAN "THE FALLING AND THE RISING."

>> COME ON, WE GOTTA MOVE!

MOVE.

>> Soldier: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU ♪ HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABY GIRL ♪ OR ALMOST HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪♪ ♪ IT'S DARK OUTSIDE WHERE YOU ARE LIKE, 2 AM WHERE YOU ARE.

IT'S SPRING OUTSIDE, WHERE YOU ARE NOW.

SO, MAYBE SEND SOME SPRING MY WAY.

OKAY?

♪ THIS DESERT HERE COULD USE SOME GREEN.

I MISS THE AIR, THAT PERFECT LIGHT.

I'M DESPERATE FOR SOME SPRING OUT HERE.

MORE DESPERATE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW ♪ ♪ BUT EVEN MORE TO SEE YOUR FACE OH!

♪ ♪ WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE TO BE THERE ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY YOU'RE SO MUCH MORE THAN SPRING TO ME ♪ ♪ YOU'RE SO MUCH MORE THAN SPRING I KNOW I SWORE WE'D SKYPE TODAY I SWORE WE'D TALK NO MATTER WHAT ♪ ♪ BUT DUTY CALLS YOU KNOW THE SCORE HOW WELL YOU KNOW ♪ TOO WELL YOU KNOW ♪ ♪ I'M ON PATROL ALL DAY, SWEET GIRL, AND WON'T BE BACK 'TIL NIGHTFALL BY THEN, YOUR PARTY'S LONG SINCE DONE I KNOW.

I KNOW.

I PROMISED YOU.

I KNOW YOU'RE BUMMED AS HELL ♪ ♪ ME TOO ME TOO ♪ ♪ TRY NOT TO BE TOO MAD AT MOM FORGIVE ME IF YOU CAN ♪ ♪ WHEN I'M BACK HOME I'LL MAKE IT UP, I PROMISE YOU I'LL MAKE IT UP TO YOU ♪ ♪ I KNOW YOU'RE SOUND ASLEEP RIGHT NOW ALL WARM INSIDE THAT BED OF YOURS ASLEEP INSIDE A DREAM, NO DOUBT NOT EVEN QUITE THIRTEEN, JUST YET ♪ JUST WAITING FOR 13 ♪ ♪ WHEN YOU WERE JUST A BABY I'D SNEAK INSIDE YOUR ROOM AT NIGHT YOU KNOW I COULDN'T HELP MYSELF I WATCHED YOU SLEEPING IN YOUR CRIB AND MARVELED AT THE SIGHT OF YOU ♪ ♪ YOUR TINY CHEST WOULD RISE AND FALL WOULD FALL AND RISE ♪ AND RISE AND FALL SO SMALL SO SMALL ♪ ♪ JUST YOU AND ME JUST ME AND YOU AGAINST THE WORLD ♪ ♪ I STOOD THERE IN THAT DARKENED ROOM AND WATCHED YOU DREAMING ALL NIGHT LONG ♪ ♪ YOU JUST CAN'T KNOW THE FEELING, GIRL EACH SOUND, EACH MOVE, EACH SIGH PROFOUND YOU TOOK MY BREATH AWAY THAT NIGHT YOU DID YOU DO.

YOU ALWAYS WILL AS I WATCH YOU FALL AND RISE ♪ ♪ YOU WILL RISE AND FALL AND FALL AND RISE SO TALL ♪ ♪ JUST YOU AND ME JUST ME AND YOU ♪ AND WHILE I WATCHED YOU FAST ASLEEP I COULDN'T HELP BUT WONDER, "WHAT?"

"WHAT'S IN THAT PRECIOUS HEAD OF YOURS ♪ WHAT DREAMS ARE IN THAT LITTLE HEAD ♪ THAT PRECIOUS LITTLE HEAD ♪ ♪ IT'S THERE AND THEN THE THREAD IT BROKE ♪ ♪ I REALIZED THERE FOR THE FIRST TIME THEN THAT ALL THOSE DREAMS INSIDE YOUR HEAD THEY BELONG TO YOU ♪ ♪ YOU DID NOT NEED YOUR MOM TO DREAM YOU RISE AND FALL ALONE MY LOVE ♪ ♪ YOU FALL AND RISE ALONE BUT STILL BUT STILL ♪ I CANNOT MAKE THIS DISTANCE UP OH ♪ ♪ WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE OH, GOD WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE TO WATCH YOU SLEEPING SOUND JUST NOW TO WATCH YOU DREAMING OF • 13 ♪ ♪ SO SOON YOU'LL BE 13 13 HOW CAN IT BE HOW CAN THAT BE ♪ ♪ I SHOULD THERE FOR YOU RIGHT NOW I SHOULD THERE FOR YOU A BETTER MOM AND A BETTER SOLIDER ♪ ♪ THE TWO THINGS ARE JUST SO INTERTWINED AND SO IT FEELS IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSSIBLE ♪ ♪ BUT LOVE JUST DOESN'T GO AWAY ♪ ♪ I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS NOW ♪ ♪ BUT I SIGNED UP I MADE THIS CHOICE I TOOK A VOW.

AND HERE I AM.

AND HERE WE ARE.

IF I COULD LEAVE RIGHT NOW I WOULD ♪ ♪ HERO IS A TRICKY WORD YOU DESERVE JOY JUST JOY AND SPRING FOR YOU JUST JOY AND SPRING FOR YOU ♪ ♪ JUST KNOW THAT WHEN YOU BLOW THOSE CANDLES OUT ALL 13 CANDLES IN JUST ONE BREATH THAT I'LL BE THERE, SWEET GIRL I'M ALWAYS THERE BESIDE YOU ♪ ♪ THAT'S HOW US MOMMAS DO, Y'KNOW ♪ WE'RE ALWAYS THERE I'M ALWAYS THERE GODDAMN, MY SILLY STUPID HEART I'M SORRY.

YOU HATE IT WHEN I CURSE I'M THE WORST ♪ ♪ MY TIME IS UP I HAVE TO GO A SOLDIER'S NEVER LATE, Y'KNOW ♪ ♪ I'M OFF TO MAKE YOU PROUD, I HOPE JUST HALF AS PROUD AS YOU'VE MADE ME ♪ ♪ THERE GO THE TEARS HERE COME THE TEARS I'LL GO BEFORE I LOOK A MESS I'M SIGNING OFF SWEET GIRL OF MINE ♪ ♪ I'M SIGNING OFF, MY GROWN UP GIRL JUST DON'T GROW UP TOO FAST OKAY?

♪ GO SLOW GO SLOW AND SAVE SOME LITTLE GIRL FOR ME.

♪ CAUSE MOM'LL BE HOME REALLY SOON ♪ YOUR MOM WILL BE HOME • ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] >> Doctors: OH!

>> FEMALE SOLDIER.

>> 29.

>> OPTIONS ARE DIMINISHING.

>> ANOTHER ROADSIDE IED?

>> THE PATIENT HAS BEEN STABILIZED.

>> BLUNT FORCE TRAUMA, QUITE SEVERE ♪ >> SEVERAL SOLDIERS LOST THEIR LIVES, LOST THEIR LIVES ♪ >> RESOLVE OR DIE • RESOLVE OR DIE.

>> THE BRAIN EXPANDS INSIDE THE SKULL • >> HER SPINAL CORD MUST DECOMPRESS • >> Soldier: OH!

♪ >> SLOW THE PULSE, COOL THE BRAIN.

>> WHERE AM I?

I SAID, WHERE AM I?

WAIT!

IT'S COMING BACK.

♪ SEARING HEAT • A FLASH OF LIGHT WALL OF SOUND ♪ THE PAIN • SEARING HEAT • EARTH AND SAND LIKE FALLING RAIN ♪ A HAZE OF SMOKE!

AND THEN THE SCREAMS... ♪ ♪ THE SCREAMS MY TEAM?

MY GUYS!

WHERE IS MY TEAM ♪ >> HEART RATE SLIGHTLY ELEVATED.

>> SOMEONE HELP MY GUYS OUT HERE!

MY MEN ARE DOWN!

THERE'S WOUNDED HERE!

>> HOLD HER IN SUSPENDED STATE!

>> HELLO?

HELLO ♪ >> PATIENT STILL IN SOME DISTRESS.

HER HEART RATE SLOWING • ♪ I HAVE TO GO I HAVE TO GET BACK TO MY GIRL YOU HAVE TO TELL HER I'M ALIVE ♪ >> UNCONSCIOUS IN FIVE • >> NO!

>> FOUR • THREE • >> NO ♪ >> TWO • ♪ ♪ WHAT'S HAPPENING ♪ >> GIVE THE SOLDIER TIME TO HEAL.

♪ I FEEL LIKE NONE OF THIS REAL >> A SLEEP OF SORTS • >> SLEEP TAKING COURSE • >> SUSPEND HER IN A QUIET SPAC •.

>> SOME TIME TO HEAL • >> SOME TIME TO KILL • >> A PLACE WHERE SHE CAN FIND HER WAY ♪ ♪ YOUR TINY CHEST WOULD RISE AND FALL • ♪ >> ALL UNTETHERED FROM THE WORLD.

♪ AND FALL AND RISE • ♪ >> ALL UNRAVELED FROM THE PAIN FOR JUST A WHILE.

♪ FOR JUST A WHILE JUST DON'T FORGET THAT I'M STILL HERE ♪ >> THE COMA IS INDUCED.

>> A TBI IS TOUCH AND GO.

SHOULD NOTIFY HER NEXT OF KIN.

MUST STABILIZE TO SEND HER HOME.

WHEN YOU RETURN, THE WORLD WILL STILL BE HERE • RIGHT HERE • ♪ ♪ WAIT!

I THINK I'M KIND OF LOST RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE NONE OF THIS FEELS REAL ♪ EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME!

CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I AM?

OR WHERE WE ARE?

HELLO ♪ >> Toledo: I'M NOT GONNA LIE, OR SIT HERE AND DENY THE FACT THAT I DON'T WANT TO BE HERE NOW.

I DON'T.

>> I DON'T RECOGNIZE THIS PLACE, OR YOU.

>> GETTING SHRUNK IS NOT MY THING, OR BEING ALL EMOTIONAL.

SO, NO OFFENSE, ALRIGHT ♪ ♪ ALRIGHT ♪ I'M SURE YOU'RE AWESOME AT YOUR JOB, LOBBING QUESTIONS LEFT AND RIGHT.

I'M NOT UPTIGHT.

DON'T WANNA FIGHT.

I JUST HOLD MY CARDS TOO CLOSE.

I COAST THROUGH LIFE EMOTION-FREE.

SEE, THAT'S JUST ME, OKAY.

THAT'S JUST ME ♪ SOME TRUTHS YOU GOT TO LEARN TO OWN, AND I'M A GROWN-ASS WOMAN.

SO, I FLAT-OUT JUST DON'T SPILL MY GUTS.

THAT DOOR GOT SHUT SOME TIME AGO.

♪ SO, I DON'T KNOW JUST WHAT TO SAY SOME FOLKS ARE NOT BUILT THAT WAY ♪ ♪ I'M NOT CUT OUT FOR ALL THIS AM I DISMISSED?

YEAH, I SHOULD GO.

>> WAIT.

EXCUSE ME.

WHERE AM I?

>> I NEED TO GO!

>> WHO ARE YOU?

>> WHAT?

START WITH MY NAME?

OKAY.

MY NAME'S "TOLEDO."

I GUESS THE ARMY IS TO BLAME.

IT HAPPENED ON MY FIRST DEPLOYMENT.

"WHERE YOU FROM?"

SERGEANT HOLLERED.

"TOLEDO, SARGE!"

I YELLED BACK.

HE HAD A KNACK FOR NICKNAMES, SEE.

AND THAT ONE, IT JUST STUCK LIKE GLUE ♪ ♪ SO YOU MAKE DO THE BEST YOU CAN ♪ ♪ BEEN 'TOLEDO' EVER SINCE BOUND FOR COMBAT MY WHOLE LIFE.

MY SMALLEST BROTHER IS 6'3".

AND I'M THE ONLY GIRL ♪ FOUR BROTHERS, AND I'M NUMBER FIVE.

I BARELY MADE IT OUT ALIVE.

GREW UP ROUGHHOUSING.

PLAYING SPORTS.

BASKETBALL.

RAN TRACK AND ALL.

DID EVERYTHING MY BROTHERS DID.

THEY SAID, "JUMP."

I SAID, "HOW HIGH?"

♪ BACK IN SCHOOL I'D TALK SOME SMACK AND PICK A FIGHT JUST 'CAUSE I COULD AND DARED THE PERSON WHOOP MY ASS.

MEET ME AFTER SCIENCE CLASS BEHIND THE GYM ♪ POOR THEM.

POOR THEM.

♪ THEY'D COME FOR ME AND TURN AROUND WITH MY FOUR BROTHERS LOOKING DOWN.

NOT LIKE I'M NOT TOUGH AS HELL.

DON'T GET ME WRONG ♪ ♪ I'M PLENTY STRONG WHERE I COME FROM THAT'S HOW YOU ROLL ♪ ♪ THAT'S HOW THE SYSTEM WORKS, Y'KNOW?

♪ SO THERE I WAS ALL BADASS ONE BADASS CITY GIRL WALTZING INTO BASIC TRAINING, ACTING LIKED I OWNED THE PLACE, ALL POKERFACED AND SLICK AS HELL ♪ WASN'T NOBODY, NOBODY GONNA TELL ME SH -- AND SURE AS HELL NOT HOW TO WALK, AND TALK, AND SLEEP, AND STAND, AND THINK AND WALK, AND TALK, AND SLEEP, AND STAND, AND THINK AND WALK, AND TALK, AND SLEEP, AND STAND, AND THINK, AND BE NOT ME ♪.

OH, HELL NO ♪ BUT I WAS WRONG BY GOD, I WAS WRONG ♪ ♪ THE ARMY SHOWED ME WHAT WAS TOUGH, AND HOW MY BEST WAS NOT ENOUGH ♪ ♪ YOU PUSH FROM BEST TO BETTER, SEE ♪ ♪ BEST TO BETTER!

>> Both: THE ARMY SHOWED THAT ALL TO ME ♪ >> WHO I WAS AND AM AND WILL BE.

TAUGHT ME ABOUT FAMILY ♪ >> Both: HOW A FAMILY'S MORE THAN BLOOD.

IT'S DEEPER DOWN THAN BONE ♪ >> BEFORE, FOUR BROTHERS HAD MY BACK.

BUT NOW?

I GOT AN ARMY.

>> I HAVE AN ARMY.

>> SEE, NOW I GOT AN ARMY.

♪ EVERY ONE, THEY'VE GOT MY BACK.

THOSE MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE.

>> EVERY ONE.

♪ YEAH, EVERY ONE.

EVERY SINGLE F -- ONE WOULD TRADE THEIR LIFE FOR MINE ♪ >> Both: WOULD TRADE THEIR LIFE FOR MINE ♪ WOULD TRADE THEIR LIFE FOR MINE ♪ >> AND DID.

AND DO.

AND WILL.

AND HAVE ♪ ♪ THEY SACRIFICED THEIR LIFE FOR MINE THEY SACRIFICED IT YESTERDAY ♪ >> Both: JUST YESTERDAY ♪ >> THEY'RE WHY I'M SITTING HERE RIGHT NOW.

FOUR SOLDIERS GAVE THEIR LIFE FOR MINE.

MY UNIT LOST FOUR GUYS ♪ ♪ MY GUYS!

>> MY BROTHERS' AGES ALMOST.

HUMVEE BLOWN-UP HALF IN TWO.

THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT ALIVE BUT I DID ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] ♪ SACRIFICE IS IN OUR BONES ♪ >> Both: IT'S WHO WE ARE ♪ >> IT'S WHO I AM ♪ "TOLEDO."

YEAH, THAT'S MY NAME.

"TOLEDO."

♪ AND EVERY MORNING WHEN I RISE I RISE, "TOLEDO."

♪ ♪ CAN I CARRY ALL THIS WEIGHT?

DAMN RIGHT, I CAN.

>> I WILL.

>> I MUST.

I CAN TAKE THE PUNCH OF IT.

OH, I CAN TAKE A PUNCH.

>> YOU'RE NOT ALONE.

I'M STANDING HERE BESIDE YOU NOW.

>> AM I DISMISSED?

I'VE REACHED MY LIMIT FOR TODAY, IF THAT'S OKAY BY YOU.

>> Jumper: FALL IN, SOLDIER!

YEAH, I'M TALKIN' TO YOU.

>> Doctor: IS EVERYBODY ON THE LINE?

>> WHAT'S THE MATTER, SOLDIER?

>> CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME FINE?

>> CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE?

>> I'M GLAD THAT WE CAN SPEAK TODAY.

I HAVE GOOD NEWS TO SHARE WITH YOU.

OUR SOLDIER'S DOING EXCELLENT.

>> HEAR THAT, SLICK?

YOU'RE GOOD TO GO.

>> SHE'S FLYING PAST THE GOALS WE'VE SET, WHICH IS TO SAY SHE'S STABLE NOW AND COPING WITH THE MEDS QUITE WELL.

WE'VE EVEN NOTICED SUBTLE CUES THAT MIGHT SUGGEST SHE'S BREAKING THROUGH.

>> SEE, YOU'RE INDESTRUCTIBLE!

>> WE'LL MOVE HER ON TO WALTER REED, WHERE SHE CAN GET THE CARE SHE'LL NEED TO PUSH ON THROUGH.

AND MAYBE SEE HER LITTLE GIRL ♪ >> MY PRECIOUS GIRL.

SHE KNOWS I'M HERE.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT?

THERE'S JUST NO BETTER MEDICINE.

♪ SHE KNOWS I'M HERE ♪ >> NOTHING HEALS LIKE FAMILY!

FAMILY!

♪ >> NOTHING HEALS LIKE FAMILY!

>> OH!

>> BUT PLEASE, I WILL NOT BUILD YOUR HOPES UP HIGH.

>> Jumper AND Doctor: THERE ARE STILL TOO MANY BIG UNKNOWNS ♪ >> IT'S CLEAR YOU HAVE A WAYS TO GO.

>> ANY PROGRESS WILL BE SLOW WITH A TBI LIKE HERS.

A COMA IS THE SAFEST PLACE TO KEEP HER ♪ >> JUMPER AND Doctor: ANCHORED FOR A WHILE.

>> HOW LONG?

>> Jumper AND Doctor: WHO KNOWS?

>> THE ONLY THING WE CAN BE SURE OF- >> Jumper AND Doctor: IS SHE WILL NEVER BE THE SAME.

>> WHAT EXACTLY DOES THAT MEAN?

>> BUT FIRST THINGS FIRST.

>> SHE'S COMING HOME.

AN EARLY MORNING FLIGHT.

>> YOU BETTER GET YOUR ASS IN GEAR!

>> I'M GOING HOME.

>> DETAILS OF HER TRANSPORT SOON.

♪ I'M GOING HOME >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SO • >> SO?

THAT PARACHUTE WON'T PACK ITSELF.

>> WHAT?

>> I'D PACK IT RIGHT IF I WERE YOU.

A PARACHUTE THAT'S POORLY PACKED AIN'T REALLY WORTH A PILE OF SH -- AND DON'T FORGET, IT'S THIRTEEN THOUSAND FEET BELOW.

SO, IF THE CHUTE DON'T OPEN UP?

THERE'S GOOD NEWS AND THERE'S BAD • THE GOOD NEWS IS YOU'LL BOUNCE REAL WELL.

THE BAD NEWS IS THAT CLEAN-UP'S HELL.

AT LEAST YOU WON'T BE 'ROUND TO CARE ♪ C'MON, THAT JOKE WAS GREAT!

SUPPOSE THAT NONE OF THIS IS REAL?

BIG DEAL.

A MISSION'S STILL A MISSION, RIGHT?

AND FEAR IS NOT YOUR FREAKIN' FRIEND.

INDECISION IS FOR SUCKERS, KID.

WANT TO SIT HERE ON YOUR ASS AND WAIT?

SEAL YOUR FATE?

♪ >> WAITING'S NEVER BEEN MY STYLE.

>> THEN, THE MISSION'S PRETTY CLEAR.

EVERY SOLDIER KNOWS THE DRILL.

>> IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM FIRST.

>> IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM FIRST.

>> STRATEGIZE • >> STRATEGIZE • >> Both: MAKE A PLAN, AND EXECUTE.

>> AND FINISH PACKING UP THAT CHUTE.

YOU IN?

>> I'M IN.

>> GOOD.

LET'S BEGIN.

I SURE WOULD HATE FOR YOU TO MISS A CHANCE TO SEE WHAT HEAVEN'S REALLY LIKE.

>> YOU'RE NOT SOME SORT OF ANGEL, ARE YOU?

>> NOT HARDLY.

NO.

I'VE FALLEN FROM THE HEAVENS, THOUGH, MORE TIMES THAN I CAN COUNT ♪ ALMOST.

GET IN.

>> GET IN?

>> GET IN THE FREAKIN' PLANE.

WE'VE GO A-WAYS TO GO.

COME ON!

MOVE IT, SOLDIER!

ALL THE ONES WE LEAVE BACK HOME ALL THOSE LOVED ONES LEFT BEHIND?

SOMETIMES THEY'RE THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS US TETHERED TO THE GROUND.

>> Both: ALL THE ONES WE LEAVE BACK HOME • ALL THOSE LOVED ONES LEFT BEHIND?

>> SOMETIMES THEY'RE THE ONLY THING THAT KEEPS US TETHERED TO THE GROUND.

I GUESS YOU NEVER JUMPED BEFORE?

>> NO.

>> IT'S EASIER THAN YOU MIGHT I GUESS YOU NEVER JUMPED BEFORE?

>> NO.

>> IT'S EASIER THAN YOU MIGHT THINK.

LIKE RIDING ON A BIKE ALMOST.

EXCEPT IT'S REALLY FREAKIN' HIGH ♪ A SILENCE LIKE YOU'VE NEVER KNOWN ♪ A PERFECT SENSE OF INNER PEACE SOME PROOF THAT ORDER DOES EXIST THE WORLD UNFURLED BEFORE YOUR EYES • ♪ >> AND ONCE YOU LEAP?

>> YOU CAN'T GO BACK.

YOU KNOW YOU'LL NEVER BE THE SAME.

A PEACE THAT'S TRICKY TO EXPLAIN.

SO, I'LL DO THE BEST I CAN ♪ THE SLIPSTREAM TAKES YOUR BREATH AWAY • OH!

♪ >> Both: YOUR BODY RIPPED FROM TIME AND SPACE • A RUSH OF WIND TO NUMB YOUR FACE ♪ >> THE FREE-FALL RATTLES THROUGH YOUR BONES • >> Both: THROUGH MY BONES ♪ >> A THRUMMING HEART INSIDE YOUR EARS... THEN "BAM!"

THE CHUTE, IT OPENS UP.

YOUR BODY SNAPS INTO THE AIR.

THEN SILENCE ♪ SUCH SILENCE ♪ DEAR GOD.

THE SILENCE PENETRATES.

YOUR HEART SLOWS DOWN.

THE RUSH OF WIND BECOMES A BREEZE AND IN THAT MOMENT YOU CAN SEE THE WHOLE OF GOD'S CREATION ♪ THE WHOLE OF GOD'S CREATION ♪ ♪ MAGNIFICENT • ♪ Both: MAGNIFICENCE PERSONIFIED >> ABOVE.

BELOW.

YOU KNOW • YOU KNOW YOU'RE LOOKING AT A MIRACLE.

TIME DILATES.

12 GLORIOUS SECONDS OF ENDLESS FREE-FALL >> Both: PULLING LIGHT FROM ALL AROUND AND STILL THERE'S NOT A SINGLE SOUND.

>> JUST FULLNESS, FLIGHT AND FREE-FALL.

>> Both: JUST FULLNESS, FLIGHT AND FREE-FALL.

>> THE THINNEST AIR.

THE ENDLESS BLUE.

>> JUST YOU.

>> JUST YOU.

JUST YOU!

♪ ♪ TO BE ABOVE THE WORLD LIKE THAT?

WHAT CAN I SAY?

IT'S A PRIVILEGE EVERY DAY.

A PRIVILEGE GRANTED TO THE BRAVE SO, YOU FEELIN' BRAVE TODAY ♪ >> I DO.

>> THEN ALL THAT'S LEFT TO DO IS JUMP.

>> JUMP.

>> JUMP.

JUST BE SURE TO HIT THE DROP ZONE ON THE GROUND.

>> DROP ZONE?

>> YOU'LL SUSS IT OUT.

SOMETIMES WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE, FAITH IS ALL WE'VE REALLY GOT ♪ >> Both: FAITH IS ALL WE'VE REALLY GOT ♪ >> OH YEAH, DON'T FORGET TO PULL THE CORD.

"RANGERS LEAD THE WAY!"

>> OKAY •OKAY • >> Chorus: OH!

>> HELLO?

HELLO?

>> HELLO?

HELLO?

IS ANYBODY OUT THERE?

CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME?

CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME?

CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME?

♪ FEELS LIKE I'M GHOST • A GHOST CAUGHT HERE, STUMBLING, IN BETWEEN • STUCK INSIDE SOME ENDLESS DREA •.

ASLEEP •AWAKE • ♪ ♪ I JUST CAN'T TELL EVERY FACE SO UNFAMILIAR AND NO ONE THAT I RECOGNIZE SIR.

EXCUSE ME, SIR.

CAN YOU TELL ME WHERE I AM?

>> IMPOSSIBLE.

>> SIR?

>> IMPOSSIBLE.

YOU'RE NOT COMING HOME.

YOU JUST AREN'T COMING HOME, ARE YOU?

YET SOMEHOW IT'S AS IF YOU'RE THERE • RIGHT HERE.

AS IF YOU MIGHT JUST REAPPEAR OUTSIDE THAT DOOR AND WALK ON THROUGH.

AS IF YOU MIGHT JUST REAPPEAR OUTSIDE THAT DOOR AND WALK ON THROUGH.

I DARE YOU.

JUST WALK ON THROUGH, RIGHT THROUGH THAT DOOR.

A MILLION TIMES, JUST LIKE BEFORE.

>> YOU'RE ALL DRESSED FOR HER.

>> I KNOW THIS DRILL.

YOU FORGOT YOUR CAR KEYS, RIGHT?

"YOU SILLY GOOSE," IS WHAT I SAY.

AND THEN YOU CUT YOUR EYES THAT WAY BUT THEN YOU LAUGH.

AND THEN WE LAUGH.

AND THEN YOU SMILE THAT SMILE OF YOURS.

AND THEN I FALL IN LOVE AGAIN.

AN ORDINARY AVERAGE DAY.

>> ARE YOU OKAY?

>> HOW COULD YOU LEAVE ME HERE ALONE?

TO SORT THROUGH ALL THESE ENDLESS DAYS?

IN THIS HAZE OF TIME UNDONE?

WITH NOWHERE LEFT FOR ME TO RUN BUT BACK AGAIN... >> BACK AGAIN.

>> Both: BACK AGAIN TO YOU.

>> I'M MORE DESPERATE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW.

>> MORE DESPERATE THAN YOU'LL EVER KNOW!

>> Both: BUT EVEN MORE TO SEE YOUR FACE.

I MISS YOU MORE THAN I CAN SAY.

>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

>> HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.

KID UPDATE: SARAH'S BEAU IS NICE, I GUESS.

>> OH?

>> I'M SURE HE'S FINE.

>> OH!

>> WE MET LAST MONTH.

YOU SHOULDA SEEN THIS FELLA SWEAT.

I HAD TO LAUGH.

>> OH!

>> HER WORK'S CUT OUT WITH THIS ONE.

>> OH!

>> PHILLIP'S JOB IS GOING WELL.

>> KIDS?

>> THE KIDS ARE SWELL.

THE YOUNGEST ONE?

SHE LOST A TOOTH WHEN I WAS THERE THIS SPRING.

>> SHE'S SO MUCH MORE THAN SPRING.

>> SHE HAS YOUR EYES.

YOUR DANCING EYES.

>> OH!

>> AND WHEN SHE LAUGHS?

LIKE REELING BELLS.

I WISH TO HELL THAT YOU COULD HOLD HER.

THE OTHER DAY, TO KILL THE GLOOM, I IMAGINED YOU NAPPING IN THAT ROOM.

I WENT SO FAR TO CRACK THE DOOR, TO WATCH YOU DREAMING, LIKE BEFORE.

AND MARVEL AT THE SIGHT OF YOU.

ALL FAST ASLEEP ♪ >> HER TINY CHEST WOULD RISE AND FALL • >> AND FALL AND RISE • JUST ME AND YOU ♪ >> JUST ME AND YOU.

>> Both: OH, WHAT I WOULDN'T GIVE.

>> OH, GOD.

JUST US.

OKAY, HERE COME THOSE STUPID TEARS.

>> I KNOW YOU HATE IT WHEN I FUSS.

>> YOU DON'T DESERVE MY TEARS TODAY.

>> Both: JUST JOY AND SPRING AND YOU • ♪ >> MY LOVE.

I WAS THE ONE WHO ALWAYS LEFT.

>> MY LOVE.

>> YOU WERE THE ONE WHO STAYED BEHIND.

>> MY LOVE.

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS NOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS NOW.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DO THIS NOW ♪ >> MY LOVE!

>> Both: "HERO" IS A TRICKY WORD.

I'VE TRIED IT ON A THOUSAND TIMES.

IT NEVER SEEMS TO WANT TO FIT.

>> 'CAUSE YOU DESERVE THE PURPLE HEART ♪ NOT ME.

NOT ME ♪ ♪ I'LL NEVER HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN I TELL MYSELF THIS EVERY DAY.

AND TIME KEEPS DRAGGING ACROSS THE FLOOR AND OPENS OTHER COUNTLESS DOORS I KNOW.

I KNOW.

I KNOW ALL OF THIS WILL CHANGE, I KNOW • ♪ BUT... >> GO SLOW.

GO SLOW ♪ >> Both: GO SLOW ♪ >> FORGETTING IS IMPOSSIBLE.

>> AND LOVE JUST DOESN'T GO AWAY.

>> OKAY.

OKAY ♪ [INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC] >> MORNIN'.

I SAID, MORNIN'.

HOW YA'LL DOIN' TODAY?

LAST TIME I SAT UP HERE LIKE THIS, I WAS MAYBE FIVE, I GUESS.

I PLAYED THE DONKEY IN THE CHRISTMAS PLAY.

CARDBOARD EARS, THE TAIL, THE WORKS.

FELT LIKE AN ASS HERE EVER SINCE.

TALKING AIN'T MY THING.

LOOK, I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M HERE TODAY.

I DON'T KNOW WHY I'M HERE AT ALL IN LOTS MORE WAYS THAN ONE.

JUST THAT THE PASTOR TOLD ME T •.

SAID, "SON, RELAX.

JUST TELL THE CHURCH ABOUT YOUR LIFE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE BACK HOME."

"YOUR TESTIMONY" IS WHAT HE SAID.

"JUST TELL THE FOLKS ABOUT YOUR TRUTH."

"AND NATURALLY YOU'LL TOUCH ON FAITH."

TOUCHING FAITH.

AIN'T THAT A KICK?

AT FIRST I TOLD HIM NO.

"HELL, NO," IS WHAT I THINK SAID.

AND THEN MY MOM SHOT ME A LOOK MY MOM SHOT ME A LOOK LIKE • "DON'T YOU MAKE ME TAN YOUR HIDE.

YOU AIN'T TOO OLD TO SPANK, Y'HEAR."

AND NOW I'M HERE IN FRONT OF YA'LL.

STRANGLED BY THIS STUPID TIE.

SO, IF I SOUND LIKE SOME BIG DUMMY, ALL YA'LL NEED TO BLAME MY MOM.

IT'S ALL ON HER ♪ IT'S ALL HER FAULT ♪ INCLUDING THIS HERE STUPID TIE ♪ IT'S NOT BECAUSE I'M SCARED TO TALK.

NOT SCARED OF MUCH NO MORE.

IT'S JUST THAT I AM NOT THE MAN THAT PEOPLE KNEW BEFORE.

THE TRUTH.

LET ME PUT IT THIS WAY.

EVERY SOLDIER GETS A RIFLE.

SERGEANT SAYS, "THIS ONE IS YOURS."

"THIS ONE IS MINE!"

YOU HOLLER BACK.

YOU AND THAT RIFLE BECOME ONE.

YOU EAT, YOU SLEEP, YOU MARCH, YOU CRAWL.

YOU EAT, YOU SLEEP, YOU MARCH, YOU CRAWL.

YOU EAT, YOU SLEEP, YOU MARCH, YOU CRAWL.

THAT RIFLE'S JUST A PART OF YOU.

JUST LIKE THIS CHAIR IS NOW FOR ME.

WE'RE CLOSE, I GUESS YOU'D HAVE TO SAY.

THAT WHY IT'S HARD TO SPEAK TO FOLKS.

FOR FOLKS TO BEND AN EAR AND HEAR.

AND NOT JUST SEE THIS GODDAMN CHAIR!

DADGUM CHAIR.

"MY TRUTH," IS WHAT THE PASTOR SAID.

THIS IS THE TRUTH OF ME.

THIS IS MY TRUTH.

AFTER THE ATTACK, I LAY IN BED IN BROKEN BITS IN SO MUCH CRAZY STUPID PAIN.

THE DRUGS, THEY HELP.

BUT THEN, THEY DON'T.

AND WHEN THEY DON'T?

YOU'RE LEFT WITH YOU.

BUT NOT THE YOU YOU KNEW BACK WHEN.

NOT THE YOU YOU KNEW BACK WHEN.

THAT PERSON MIGHT AS WELL BE DEAD ♪ ♪ YOU'RE SOMEONE ELSE YOU DON'T QUITE KNOW.

YOU'RE SOMEONE YOU DON'T RECOGNIZE.

♪ POINT IS, YA'LL, THAT CHRISTMAS PLAY?

THAT CHRISTMAS PLAY SEEMS FAR AWAY.

I'M A DIFFERENT JACKASS NOW.

IN FACT, YOU ALL SEEM FAR AWAY ♪ >> BUT STILL • >> A MILLION MILES FROM WHERE I SIT.

>> BUT STILL • >> Both: I CANNOT MAKE THE DISTANCE UP ♪ >> BUT I TRY.

>> I TRY.

>> I TRY.

>> Both: I TRY!

♪ >> I DO.

IT'S HARD AS HELL, BUT DAMN I TRY ♪ PEOPLE ASK ME ALL THE TIME "WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU, YOUNG MAN?

"WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU?"

MOST TIMES I ANSWER, "I DON'T KNOW."

BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT I WANT TO SAY.

WHEN SOMEONE ASKS "WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU, YOUNG MAN?"

I WANT TO SAY: AIN'T NOTHING ELSE.

AIN'T NOTHIN' ELSE BUT NOW, MY FRIEND.

JUST NOW.

>> JUST NOW.

>> JUST THIS.

>> JUST THIS.

>> Both: AIN'T NOTHIN' ELSE IN LIFE BUT THIS - THIS MOMENT THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.

>> JUST NOW.

TODAY.

>> JUST YOU AND ME.

>> JUST THIS.

>> JUST THIS.

>> I DON'T COUNT ON TOMORROW.

I DON'T TRUST NO YESTERDAY.

I ONLY SEE IN FRONT OF ME.

HOW'S THAT FOR A TESTIMONY?

CAN I GET AN "AMEN?"

AND AS FAR GOD THE FATHER GOES?

YEAH, I DON'T KNOW.

I JUST DON'T KNOW.

I GET REAL WEIRD WITH GOD, I GUESS.

AND THAT'S THE TRUTH.

YOU SAID, THE TRUTH.

AT LEAST THE TRUTH FOR ME, RIGHT NOW.

LOOK, DON'T GET ME WRONG.

I DO BELIEVE.

BUT I BELIEVE IN FAMILY ♪ >> IN FAMILY ♪ >> THERE'S GOD IN THAT.

THERE'S GOD IN THEM.

THERE'S GOD IN ALL OF US.

RIGHT HERE RIGHT NOW ♪ >> SOLDIERS: RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

>> IS THERE SOME KIND OF END IN SIGHT?

>> IS THERE SOME KIND OF END IN SIGHT?

>> A SLEEP OF SORTS • >> SOMETHING ON THE OTHER SIDE?

>> SLEEP TAKING COURSE •.

♪ >> FOR DAYS, FOR WEEKS, FOR MONTHS, FOR YEARS • WHO KNOWS HOW LONG I'VE WANDERED HERE.

EACH OF YOU HAS GUIDED ME.

>> SHE'LL FIND HER WAY • >> AWAKENED SOMETHING DEEP INSIDE.

>> SOME TIME TO HEAL • >> BUT I'M SCARED IF I REMAIN, I'M SCARED IF I REMAIN I'LL LOSE MYSELF, I'LL LOSE MYSELF I'LL LOSE MYSELF!

I'LL LOSE MY DAUGHTER ♪ >> JUST DON'T FORGET SO INTERTWINED • >> I PROMISED HER.

>> THAT PRECIOUS HEAD • HER TINY CHEST WOULD RISE AND FALL ♪ ♪ I PROMISED HER!

I PROMISED HER THAT I'D RETURN!

PLEASE TAKE ME BACK.

PLEASE TAKE ME BACK!

PLEASE, TAKE ME BACK!

OR SHOW ME THE WAY.

I KNOW THAT I AM READY NOW.

I WANT TO SEE MY GROWN UP GIRL.

JUST DON'T GROW UP TOO FAST, OKAY?

YOUR MOM WILL BE HOME SOON ♪ >> Chorus: WE RISE AND FALL.

>> I SIGNED UP, I TOOK A VOW.

>> WE FALL AND RISE.

>> YOUR MOM WILL BE HOME SOON!

>> YOU CAN'T SEE THE SCARS I HIDE • >> I'M A GROWN-ASS WOMAN • JUST DON'T FORGET THE STRENGTH ABIDING DEEP INSIDE • >> All: DEEP INSIDE YOUR HEART!

>> JUST YOU AND ME AND HERE AND NOW.

>> I'M NOT THE MAN I WAS BEFOR •.

>> DEAR GOD!

>> I SIGNED UP, SO YOU PUSH PAST BEST TO BETTER.

>> All: BEST TO BETTER.

>> THE ARMY SHOWED THAT ALL TO ME.

>> Chorus: I'LL GIVE MY LIFE.

THIS IS MY VOW.

I'LL DIE FOR YOU.

WE RISE AND FALL.

WE FALL AND RISE AS ONE.

>> JUST YOU AND ME.

>> JUST ME AND YOU.

>> Chorus: JUST DON'T FORGET THAT WE'RE STILL HERE.

WE'RE STANDING RIGHT BESIDE YOU NOW.

>> All: YOU PASS FROM BEST TO BETTER.

THE ARMY SHOWED THAT ALL TO ME.

I'LL GIVE MY LIFE.

THIS IS MY VOW.

I'LL DIE FOR YOU.

♪ WE RISE AND FALL ♪ ♪ WE FALL AND • ♪ >> AIN'T NOTHING ELSE, AIN'T NOTHING ELSE.

BUT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW.

>> All: I'LL GIVE MY LIFE.

THIS IS MY VOW.

I'LL DIE FOR YOU.

WE RISE AND FALL.

WE FALL AND RISE.

AND FALL • ♪ Chorus: AS ONE ♪ >> JUST LET THEM KNOW SOMEONE LET MY BABY KNOW THAT I'M ALIVE • ♪ ♪ Chorus: ALIVE • ♪ ♪ ALIVE • ♪ ♪ ALIVE ♪ ♪ ALIVE ♪ >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BABY GIRL.

OR ALMOST HAPPY BIRTHDAY ♪ ♪ ALIVE ♪ >> Peggy Philips: TONIGHT'S SHOW WAS VERY POWERFUL FOR ME.

IT BROUGHT HOME THE PERSPECTIVE OF A MOTHER GOING TO WAR.

IT'S NEW TO HAVE A FEMALE IN THE MILITARY.

AND SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WOMEN GO THROUGH ARE ENTIRELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT THE MEN GO THROUGH.

>> Daniel Polinsky: ONE OF THE THINGS IT HIGHLIGHTS, TWO THINGS, IS FAMILY.

NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, MOMS AND KIDS, BUT THE FAMILY OF SOLDIERS.

THE PERSON TO YOUR RIGHT AND YOUR LEFT IS YOUR FAMILY.

AND PROBABLY TOO, THAT WAR'S AN UGLY BUSINESS.

>> Benjamin Margolius: WHAT REALLY STRIKES ME ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR OPERA IS THE STORIES THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD, BECAUSE THEY ARE UNIVERSAL.

AND NOT JUST TODAY'S STORIES, THEY'RE STORIES OF SOLDIERS FROM LONG AGO.

>> Peggy Phillips: SO, TO BE ABLE TO TAKE THOSE STORIES THAT THEY HAD AND WEAVE IT INTO THIS OPERA WAS ABSOLUTELY PHENOMENAL.

>> Benjamin Margolius: THE MORE PEOPLE THAT CAN SEE THIS, THE MORE THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR SOLDIERS AND OTHER SERVICES GO THROUGH WHEN THEY GO TO WAR.

>> Daniel Polinsky: YOU'D COME HOME WITH WOUNDS.

THEY DON'T GO AWAY.

GOOD STUFF.

IT WAS A POWERFUL SHOW.

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