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With Veterans Day coming up this Wednesday, we're taking a moment to recognize the millions of men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Originally established to mark the end of World War I, Veterans Day has since become an occasion to honor veterans from every generation.
And while there are plenty of ways to observe the holiday, we think one of the most meaningful is through the stories of those who served. So, in honor of Veterans Day, we're highlighting six powerful movies, shows, and books that offer a glimpse into the experiences of service members, both on the battlefield and back home.
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Unforgettable Movies About Service & Sacrifice
War changes lives in ways that extend far beyond the battlefield. These two powerful films offer moving perspectives on the experiences of soldiers and the struggles they face after returning home.
The Best Years of Our Lives
Streaming on Prime Video
Three WWII veterans return home, only to discover that adjusting to civilian life comes with its own challenges. Starring Fredric March, Dana Andrews, and real-life veteran Harold Russell, this seven-time Oscar winner remains one of Hollywood's most moving and groundbreaking portrayals of life after war.
Cherry
Streaming on Apple TV
After serving as an Army medic in Iraq, a young veteran returns home with PTSD and spirals into addiction and crime. Starring Tom Holland and directed by the Russo brothers (Avengers: Endgame), this gritty drama explores the devastating psychological toll of war and the challenges of coming home.
What They Carried: Powerful Stories of War & Homecoming
From the Vietnam War to the Iraq War, these two acclaimed books offer intimate perspectives on the lives of service members and the experiences that stay with them long after combat.
The Women
by Kristin Hannah
In 1965, a young nursing student joins the Army Nurse Corps and heads to Vietnam, where the horrors of war change her life forever. When her deployment is finally over, she discovers that returning home to a divided America presents its own challenges. From bestselling author Kristin Hannah (The Nightingale), this powerful novel honors the often-overlooked sacrifices of women who served.
Redeployment
by Phil Klay
Drawing on his experiences as a Marine Corps veteran, Phil Klay tells twelve powerful stories about Americans serving in Iraq and the challenges of returning home. Winner of the National Book Award, Redeployment offers an unflinching, deeply human look at the realities of modern warfare.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Nantucket Resort Collection
The Vibe: Everything a B&B should be
The Location: Nantucket, MA
Instaworthy Accommodations:
Nantucket Resort Collection unites four boutique inns—Veranda House, Regatta Inn, Chapman House, and Sherburne Inn—each with its own personality, from art-forward design to timeless romance. Across 59 cozy rooms and suites, guests can enjoy daily breakfast just steps from downtown’s shops, shores, and ferry. Spend your days biking, browsing local galleries, or lounging on pristine beaches before returning to a garden courtyard for afternoon cocktails. With easy access to cultural festivals, sailing excursions, and the island’s best dining, every stay feels like a true Nantucket escape.
Extraordinary Stories of Wartime Courage
Few historical dramas capture the realities of WWII quite like these two acclaimed miniseries, which follow American service members through some of the most dangerous moments of the war.
Masters of the Air
Streaming on Apple TV
During WWII, American airmen of the 100th Bomb Group risk their lives on perilous bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Starring Austin Butler and Callum Turner, this gripping historical drama from the producers of Band of Brothers offers a breathtaking look at the sacrifices made in the skies.
Band of Brothers
Streaming on HBO Max
HBO’s miniseries tracks Easy Company, 101st Airborne, from paratrooper training in Georgia through D-Day, the Battle of the Bulge, and the end of WWII. Based on historian Stephen Ambrose's book, it traces the bonds forged in combat.
Hotel Spotlight
Together with Inside Hotels
Laurel Hotel & Spa
The Vibe: Alabama’s Finest
The Location: Auburn, AL
Instaworthy Accommodations:
As a proud partner of the Horst Schulze School of Hospitality Management, The Laurel Hotel and Spa is held to the highest standard of luxury, offering world-class service, dining experiences, and spa services. All rooms are designed to dazzle with spacious layouts, marble bathrooms, automated blackout curtains, and rainforest showers. Spend the day unwinding at the full-service spa where treatments range from full-body massages to facials and even a eucalyptus steam room. Once your body and mind are feeling revitalized, sip cocktails on the rooftop terrace or dine at 1856—an intimate tasting-menu experience led by a rotating chef.
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