“In the heart of a soldier’s betrayal, kindles a relentless pursuit for truth, justice, and peace.”
Watch the original version of Born on the Fourth of July
Prologue:
The sun hung golden over the distant horizon of Massapequa, Long Island. Children’s laughter echoed in the serene suburbia, a celebration of the untroubled innocence of youth. The tranquility was punctuated by the blaring of radios and televisions spewing news about the war in Vietnam.
Among the merriment and slow-burning fear stood Ron Kovic, a young man of seventeen, his eyes reflecting the golden hue of the setting sun. The wavelengths of light seemed to be echoing the question in his heart. Is all this tranquility, this mundane comfort, worth safeguarding at the cost of lives?
Chapter 1: “The Crimson Morning”
The crimson sun had barely risen over another day in Massapequa, where life ran its predictable course. The streets echoed the rhythm of American suburbia, a symphony of normalcy that Ron had become accustomed to. With dreams filled with anticipation, he was ready to trade his mundane life for one of glory. The lure of bravery and honor, the romance of war, had fascinated Ron since childhood. Tales of valor had tugged at his youthful heart, instilling in him an almost palpable yearning for the Marines.
At the Marines recruiting center, the oath of enlistment echoed in his ears, the words weaving an intoxicating promise of heroism and honor. His heart pulsated with the overwhelming weight of his decision. He was no longer just Ron Kovic of Massapequa, he was now a soldier, a shield bearer of his revered nation.
In the following months, Ron and his comrades were drilled into the harsh regimen of the military, their youthful spirits remodeled with the brutal realities of war. The quiet suburban boy was slowly morphed into a soldier, hardy and resolute, his soul continuously hammered upon the blacksmith’s anvil of military discipline.
As the days turned into weeks, and the weeks into months, Ron found himself shipped off to the humid jungles of Vietnam. The air was dense with anticipation, fear, and the scent of impending doom. It was a world miles away from the pristine lawns of Massapequa, a world where every breath could be his last.
The true brutality of war descended upon him and his fellow soldiers like a storm. The desolation and gruesome reality of the battlefield stripped away the romanticism he once held. Amidst the chaos, a tragic mistake occurred. A frenzied hand grenade, a fatal error in judgment, and a friendly soldier’s life was extinguished by his hands. The guilt gnawed at Ron’s heart, an instant shattering of his illusion of glory and honor. War was not about valor; it was about survival.
In a fateful skirmish, a bullet ripped through his body, brutally severing his connection with his lower body. The world around him swayed and blurred as he was swiftly evacuated from the battlefield. His last memory of Vietnam would be the sight of the jungle bathing in the crimson of the setting sun.
Ron woke up in a veterans’ hospital, the harsh antiseptic smell reflecting the grim reality of his situation. The sight of veterans grappling with their horrendous injuries and psychological trauma was jarring. His dreams shattered, his body paralyzed, Ron was consumed with anger, regret, and disillusionment.
As he lay there, Ron pondered upon the price he had paid for a war he no longer believed in. His youthful enthusiasm was replaced by a bitter taste of betrayal. The images of his comrades’ lifeless eyes and the crippling loneliness of his hospital bed haunted him. He had a daunting road ahead, a road to physical and emotional recovery. His spirit limped towards the painful journey of acceptance and the burgeoning anger towards the country he fought for. But beneath it all, a spark of rebellion had begun to flicker. Ron Kovic’s transformation was far from over.
Chapter 2: “Baptism by Fire”
The air is thick, damp and suffocating, a world away from the embracing warmth of Massapequa. Ron along with the other boys from the neighbourhood find themselves uncomfortably nestled in the pursuant grimness of their new reality – the jungles of Vietnam. The chapter begins with a detailed description of the foreign landscape, its menacing silence, the relentless mosquitoes, and the lurking danger of unseen enemies.
Stripped from the sheath of patriotism and youthful vigour, the raw and bitter truth of war gradually unveils before their unseasoned eyes. The strategic map exercises and practice drills meant nothing in the face of this unwieldy beast. Endless days bleed into one another, infused with a cocktail of fear, anticipation, and a desperate yearning for home.
In the midst of this chaos, a turning point emerges as Ron accidentally shoots a fellow soldier, mistaking him for an enemy in the confusion of a firefight. The bullet, a tribute to their shared homeland, takes its own cruel flight and everything transforms. The scene unfolds in slow motion, encapsulating the harrowing guilt and abject horror that engulfs Ron. His friend’s anguished eyes mirror an accusing despair that would haunt our protagonist for the rest of his life.
Days after this horrifying incident, fate deals another crushing blow. During an intense combat, a bullet pierces Ron’s body, robbing him of his ability to walk. As he falls to the ground, his world spins into a whirl of pain, confusion, and heart-breaking clarity. The untenable cost of war bores into his consciousness. The last memory of this battle is of him lying on the rain-soaked earth, staring at the indifferent sky, the taste of his own mortality on his tongue.
In stark contrast to the previously languid pace, the narrative abruptly shifts to the feverish rush of the makeshift field hospital. Amidst the wails of wounded men and the clinical detachment of the overworked medics, our protagonist finds himself caught in a tumultuous storm of pain and vulnerability.
As the harsh strip lights glare down upon him, he’s frantic with a strange combination of dread and relief. Dread for the life he suspects he has lost, and relief for surviving where others did not. Amidst palpable chaos, Ron experiences a chilling baptism by fire. The innocence of his youth, the dreams of glory and honour – everything goes up in smoke on this fateful day.
This day marks his transformation. His ideals, like his body, lie damaged, but a spark of something else is kindled — a new perspective, a challenge against the norms he once held dear. This chapter, soaked in visceral images and intense emotions, sets the stage for the inevitable journey of Ron Kovic, from a patriot to an activist, a soldier to a survivor, a man born on the Fourth of July, forever altered by the fires of Vietnam.
Chapter 3: “A Soldier No More”
In a grimy barracks in the Bronx that served as a veteran’s hospital, Ron Kovic awoke to a new reality, a world devoid of the rambunctious energy of his past. The once hard-bodied, vibrant Marine was bound to a grimy bed. His gaze fell to thin sheets covering his legs, legs that might as well have been phantoms.
In that cold, sterile room, he discovered the truth about his life. Paralyzed. The word echoed in his head like a mournful wail, a sentence meted out to him that married his future with despair. Nurses came and went, their faces a blur of faint empathy and concealed pity.
He had left a boy, full of patriotism and dreams, only to return less than a man, bereft of the ability to stand on his feet. The realization gnawed at him, the severity of it all rendering him numb. His dreams of playing baseball were now distant, a cruel illusion that life had played on him.
Each passing day in the hospital was a constant reminder of his battle with the harsh reality. The endless sea of wounded bodies, the moans of pain and despair, painted a grotesque picture of the war he had once volunteered for. War wasn’t honour and glory. No, it was this – the raw, unbearable reality of pain.
The lackadaisical approach towards the care of returned soldiers astonished Ron. The conditions of the hospital were deplorable. It seemed as if they were discarded as broken tools, unfit for the grand picture of the American Dream. Feelings of resentment began to simmer within him.
Haunted by the memories of the fateful day that changed his life, guilt gnawed at his conscience. His thoughts often meandered back to the jungles of Vietnam, where he had accidentally killed one of his own. It was a weight that was too heavy to carry, a harbinger of mental turmoil.
His faith wavered, unfocused and uncertain. The God he had worshipped had allowed this to happen to him, to the country he loved. The America he had fought for, it seemed, had forsaken him. He felt betrayed by his own country. The bitterness seeped into his soul, tainting his beliefs.
Amidst the gloom, a fellow comrade, Wilson became his beacon of hope, a mirror that reflected his own pain and disillusionment. Their shared experience, the newly found camaraderie, was a connection, that despite being fostered in a place of dismay, seemed to be the only comforting aspect of his life.
Wilson’s death hit Ron hard. It quenched the little hope that had started to flicker in his heart. His friend’s life had been snuffed out in the gloomy corridors of the hospital, a place that had become their shared purgatory. It was a sobering reminder of the price they were paying for a war they barely understood.
His anger began to take form, molding into disillusionment towards the government that had sent them to war. The disillusionment evolved into a deep-seated resentment. His suffering wasn’t just physical; it was an emotional upheaval, a crisis of faith and identity.
He watched the news, the distorted reports of the war, the systematic deception that ensconced the nation. The government’s facade was infuriating. The truth about the war was being distorted, and he was a living testament to that.
As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Ron’s spirits flickered on the brink of despair. Yet, he clung onto a thin strand of resilience. Lying helpless in the hospital bed, he found himself questioning everything he once stood for. His dreams shattered, the reality of the Vietnam War altering the course of his life, the seeds of rebellion were sown. This wasn’t the end of his journey; it was just the beginning. Unbeknownst to him, he was on an inevitable path towards activism, a path that would make him a protagonist of a different sort of battle. A battle that would challenge his courage in more ways than one and redefine his existence. A battle on home soil, for truth and justice.
Chapter 4: “The Homecoming”
Ron Kovic’s return to Massapequa had been far from the triumphant homecoming he’d once envisioned. No amount of military training could have prepared him for the civilian battles he was now forced to navigate. Friendly smiles turned into pitiful stares. Conversations laced with awkward silences became a new normal. His life had been irrevocably altered, and so too had his perception of the world around him.
The Kovic household was painted with hues of melancholy. Ron’s mother, deeply religious, spent long hours praying for a miraculous healing that would rinse away the paralysis that become a merciless part of her son’s existence. His father grappled with a unique sense of loss, a mournful understanding that the boy who had left their home eager to defend his country was forever altered. Both parents were unable to fully comprehend the extent of their son’s trauma, their inability to connect with him added to the growing emotional chasm.
In the stillness of his room, amidst the relics of a forgotten past – baseball mitts, high school awards, and worn-out comic books – Ron grappled with his disillusionment. The American Dream, an ideal he had willingly risked his life to protect, now seemed like a distant illusion. His homeland, once a beacon of hope and prosperity, now felt like an indifferent spectator to his struggles.
The seclusion and monotony of domestic life provided ample opportunity for Ron to reflect on the past. Nightmares from Vietnam continued to haunt him, images of fallen comrades and his accidental killing of a fellow soldier imprinted in vivid detail on the canvas of his mind. His paralysis felt like a constant reminder of his guilt, an insurmountable sentence for a sin he had never intended to commit. The deafening silence of his existence was occasionally pierced by the shrill ring of the telephone, often a call from well-meaning but estranged friends, their voices a grim reminder of the life he had left behind.
The society that Ron found himself in was largely indifferent to his plight and that of countless other war veterans. The cheerful parades, glorified war stories, and the sacrosanct image of the American soldier painted an idealized image of war, conveniently overlooking the disillusioned veterans and their untold stories.
Protests against the war were growing in number, their voices gradually seeping into mainstream consciousness. Ron watched these developments in silence, his resentment for the war and its proponents slowly taking shape. The idea of joining the anti-war movement began to seem less radical, less inconceivable. Perhaps it was there, among the shared disillusionment and common purpose, that he would find solace, a sense of belonging.
As Ron continued to navigate this complex labyrinth of emotions and revelations, there were moments, however fleeting, of optimism. The sight of his younger siblings growing up, their lives unfettered and filled with promise, provided a bittersweet sense of comfort. The visits by Donna, his teenage love, initially brought him happiness. But as time went on, the stark difference in their realities drove them apart.
Ron Kovic’s homecoming was marked by isolation, a profound sense of loss, and a growing disillusionment with the American society. Yet, it also marked the initiation of his journey towards a new purpose. The boy who left Massapequa to fight for his country had returned a man, shaped by war and betrayal, ready to fight new battles – this time, not in far-off jungles, but on his own home soil.
Chapter 5: “Awakening the Activist”
Ron Kovic’s life was now confined within the four borders of his wheelchair. His once robust body, now paralysed from the chest down, had become a shell. However, what he’d lost in physical prowess, he’d gained in mental resilience. His newfound awareness of the cost of war, the utter devastation he’d witnessed, and the personal loss he’d experienced had sparked a flame in him. This flame, a roaring beacon of disillusionment, began to fan the spirit of activism within him.
Things were about to change when one day, Ron happened upon a group of protesters outside the Veterans Affairs office. Their placards echoed sentiments Ron had been grappling with in solitude – the sense of betrayal by their country, the sheer disregard for the welfare of the veterans, the utter futility of the Vietnam War. His wheelchair came to a halt as he watched, mesmerized by the sea of voices that resonated with his own. He saw the flicker of the same fire he held within mirrored in their eyes. It was there, amidst the cacophony of chants and protest songs that Ron found his tribe.
His first foray into activism was, ironically, warlike. There was an ongoing battle to be fought, not against an enemy country, but against the very nation they had defended with their lives. It was a war of words, of belief, of resolute solidarity against the wrongful policies of their government. Ron, along with his newfound comrades, forsaking the uniform but not their brotherhood, came together to form a formidable force.
The battlefield had changed, and so had the warrior. Ron Kovic, once a soldier with a rifle, was now an activist with a voice. This voice was his new weapon. A weapon forged not from iron, but from the harrowing experiences of a war that had claimed countless innocent lives and irrevocably damaged countless more. It was honed sharp by the betrayal he’d felt, the disregard he’d been shown, and the injustice he’d experienced.
The months that followed saw Ron transform from a passive observer to an active participant. He attended rallies, organized sit-ins, and gave speeches. He recounted his experiences, shared his story, and became the voice of those whose voices had been stifled by their life-changing injuries or, worse, silenced by death. His speeches were raw, heart-wrenching accounts of the realities of war, devoid of the sugar-coating perpetuated by the government and the media. His words, potent with truth, gradually began to change perceptions.
But this journey was not without its hurdles. There were those who resisted, who defended the war, who viewed Ron and his comrades as traitors, unpatriotic figures who’d turned against their motherland. Still, undeterred, Ron continued his crusade, choosing to weather the storm of criticism and hostility that came their way. Every insult hurled at them, every stone thrown, only strengthened Ron’s resolve.
Then came the day when his activism earned him an invitation to the Democratic National Convention. It was a validation of their efforts, a testament to their growing influence. Seated on the stage, under the bright lights, Ron looked at the sea of faces before him. He felt a rush of appreciation for his fellow activists and a pang of sorrow for those who’d been lost in the war. His heart pounded as he wheeled himself forward to the microphone.
As he began his speech, televisions across the nation broadcasted his face. A war veteran turned activist, once a symbol of patriotic fervour, now a symbol of resistance. His voice echoed through the hall, his words, raw and potent, resonating with millions as he exposed the grim realities of the war and the betrayal by the country they’d served. The applause that followed his speech was deafening, a true testament to his impact.
His journey had brought him here, the soldier who’d been born on the Fourth of July, now a voice for peace. It was a bitter irony that wasn’t lost on him. He’d once dreamed of being a war hero, but now he was a hero of a different sort, fighting for the truth. The path ahead was still fraught with challenges, but Ron Kovic, the activist, was ready to fight, even if the battlefield had drastically changed.
Chapter 6: “Battles on Home Soil”
Ron Kovic’s transformation into a vehement anti-war and pro-human rights activist had taken root. The year was 1972, and his journey had led him to one of the most volatile political platforms – the Republican National Convention. It was a battle, fought not on the bloodied fields of Vietnam but on the home soil that had once nurtured his naive patriotism.
The convention centre buzzed with electric anticipation, a stark contrast to his sombre determination. He was there with a mission; to reveal the harsh realities of the war, often masked by political rhetoric and strategic media silence. Ron had long discarded his faith in the institutions that had sent him to his deathbed and left him crippled for life. His physical paralysis paralleled the apathy of a government that disregarded its duty to protect their sons, brothers, and fathers.
He arrived at the convention accompanied by members of his new platoon – a band of veterans who shared his relentless pursuit for change. They were representatives of the truth, bearers of scars both visible and invisible. The protesters made their presence felt, their collective voice resonating amidst the cacophony of political discourses.
The administration’s fury was expected. They were, after all, challenging the narrative of heroism and national duty that served to glorify war. They were exposing a reality that was uncomfortable, distressing, and antithetical to an ideal America the government sought to portray. Threats and ardently patriotic backlash from the public were their constant companions, dark shadows unsuccessfully attempting to quell their light.
However, Ron held steadfast. His voice, tireless and tenacious, was his most potent weapon. He had survived the perils of war and was undeterred by the retaliation he faced on the home front. Each assault on his character, every attempt to delegitimize his experiences, only solidified his resolution. He had traded the confining quiet of his suburban life for the loud discomfort of truth.
Underneath the veneer of political grandeur of the convention, Ron uncovered the apathy towards veterans struggling with trauma and injuries. He brought to focus the countless young men thrust into the jaws of a war they didn’t understand, compelled to kill and die in the name of empty jingoism.
He brought attention to the broken healthcare system that had failed him and his companions in their time of need. His words struck a chord with the audience, painting an image far removed from the glorified portraits of war.
His impassioned speeches and unwavering bravery thrust him into the national spotlight, forcing the public to confront the devastating aftermath of the Vietnam War. News outlets now hounded him; some sought to sully his reputation, others to amplify his voice. But Ron was no longer the impressionable boy who left Massapequa; he was a man shaped by adversity, armored by a cause he believed in fiercely.
The battle on home soil culminated with Ron being thrust atop a stage at the Convention, where he wasn’t an honored guest, but an agitator. Yet, he seized the moment. Amidst a sea of faces partly concealed by shock, disdain, and a few glimmers of understanding, Ron laid bare his soul. His narrative was no longer a singular voice drowned in a sea of dissent. It was a beacon for those who, like him, had felt the sting of betrayal.
Chapter 6 draws to a close, leaving an indelible mark on Ron’s journey as an activist. The Republican National Convention had been his battleground where he faced a different enemy – not armed with guns, but with words and ideologies. Through his resilient spirit and unwavering conviction, he had enlightened many about the price of war and the cost of empty patriotism. And though this battle had resulted in no victor, it had brought the truth one step closer to the surface.
Chapter 7: “The Fourth of July”
As the sun spilled its glorious morning radiance over Massapequa, the township was buzzing with the fervor of Independence Day. It was the Fourth of July; the star-spangled banners fluttered proudly, and the air echoed with patriotic melodies. Amidst this kaleidoscope of red, white, and blue, Ron Kovic, in his wheelchair, was a somber silhouette.
His hometown was the same, yet everything had changed – the quaint houses bore the weight of secrets, the tree-lined streets were tattooed with invisible scars of war, and the familiar faces were etched with lines of untold stories. The patriotism he once cherished now felt like a shroud of disillusionment.
Ron’s mind echoed with the clamor of the parade, yet in the eye of that storm, he found a strange calm. His jaw set in determination, his eyes held a revolutionary spark. His heart pounded fiercely against the ribcage, gaining momentum with each passing moment like a war drum heralding a battle. This wasn’t a physical battlefield like Vietnam, but the stakes were just as high.
His gaze fell on the children prancing around in their star-and-stripe outfits, their faces ablaze with excitement and innocence. He thought of the young boys who would grow up to be men like him – men who may return from some future war wearing their patriotism as stinging scars or haunting memories.
As he was wheeled onto the makeshift stage, the crowd hushed to a pin-drop silence. The festive furore momentarily subsided as numerous eyes turned towards him. Some held curiosity, others sympathy, a few contempt, and many echoed his silent, simmering outrage.
Ron started speaking, his voice raw yet resonant, breaking the silence. His speech was as blazing as the midday sun – it burned through the pretense, shone upon the truth, and illuminated the dark corners of the collective conscience. It wasn’t a rant, but a sobering revelation – a plea for peace, an appeal for justice, a vow for change. The crowd went from hushed silence to murmuring whispers, then to an echoing cacophony of voices.
His words ricocheted against the decorated houses, made the flags flutter harder, and lingered in the air like a lingering aftertaste. His narrative of war was no grand saga of heroism but a chronicle of betrayal – by the government he had sworn to protect, by the country he had loved dearly. The battlefield wasn’t just ‘over there,’ but here at home, where each war veteran was struggling against apathy and fighting for basic rights. The enemy was not only in the foreign land but within the government that turned a blind eye to their plight.
His voice waned, but his spirit didn’t. As he bore their piercing gazes, he remembered the hospital beds, the young lives lost, the dreams shattered, the promises broken. Each word he spoke was a tribute to his fellow soldiers, a testament to their sacrifice, a beacon of their undying hope.
The grand finale of his speech collided with the onset of fireworks, bursting into the twilight sky. Each sparkling explosion was a symbol – of his resolve, his rebellion, his pledge to fight against the injustice. It was a striking contrast – the celebratory fireworks painting the sky and the ground reality painted in his words.
His final words hung in the air, “I am Ron Kovic. I was born on the Fourth of July, and I will continue to fight!” The crowd erupted into a mix of applause, shouts, and gasps, a cocktail of support, shock, and hostility. The enthusiasm of the parade seemed muted, the fireworks a little less dazzling, and the music a tad solemn.
As the night draped the sky, Ron Kovic, the war veteran, the activist, the hero was not just a silhouette in his wheelchair. He was a beacon – challenging, illuminating, and unwavering.
That night, Massapequa didn’t just celebrate the birth of the nation; it acknowledged the rebirth of a soldier as a revolutionary. The Fourth of July had a new hero – not the traditional, decorated soldier, but a man who dared to challenge the system, a man who wore his scars proudly, a man who demanded justice and peace. Born on the Fourth of July, Ron would continue his fight, not on a battlefield, but in the hearts and minds of his fellow Americans.
Some scenes from the movie Born on the Fourth of July written by A.I.
Scene 1
FADE IN:
EXT. MASSAPEQUA – MORNING
Busy neighborhood streets in the wholesome suburbia of Massapequa. Kids playing, neighbors chatting, the AMERICAN DREAM in full bloom.
CUT TO:
INT. KOVIC HOME – MORNING
We observe YOUNG RON KOVIC, 17, athletic, full of vitality, and aspirational – his eyes glued to a baseball game on TV. MRS. KOVIC, early 40s and caring, watches him.
MRS. KOVIC
Are you sure about this, Ronny?
Ron continues to stare at the TV, a hint of seriousness in his eyes.
YOUNG RON KOVIC
It’s my duty, ma.
His younger siblings watch him, their faces filled with admiration.
FADE TO:
EXT. MASSAPEQUA HIGH SCHOOL – DAY
Ron, flanked by his best friends, TIMMY and JOE, walks confidently down the school corridor. He’s the town’s golden boy, admired by all but burdened by the choice he’s made.
CUT TO:
EXT. ENLISTMENT OFFICE – DAY
Ron, now in a sharp suit, stands in front of the enlistment office. He takes a deep breath and pushes the door open.
FADE TO:
EXT. KOVIC HOME – NIGHT
A farewell party is in full swing. Ron, surrounded by family and friends, tries to put on a brave face. He shares a moment with his mother – a look of fear and courage exchanged.
FADE TO BLACK:
TO BE CONTINUED…
FADE OUT.
Scene 2
INT. MARINE BARRACKS – NIGHT
A group of YOUNG MARINES, among them our hero RON KOVIC, huddle together. They are full of spirit, naïve to the brutality of war.
RON KOVIC (18, idealistic)
“We’re fighting for our country, our families. We’re the good guys.”
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. VIETNAM JUNGLE – DAY
The Marines, now dirty and scared, creep through the undergrowth. Suddenly, GUNFIRE ERUPTS. They return fire. RON shoots at a shadowy figure.
CUT TO:
The FIGURE falls. RON rushes over, only to find a FELLOW SOLDIER, life ebbing away.
RON (voice trembling)
“No…no…”
RON’s face fills with remorse, regret seeping into his soul.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. VIETNAM JUNGLE – LATER
Bullets WHIZZ past. RON, amidst chaos, charges forward and is HIT. He collapses, pain etched across his face.
CUT TO:
RON’s POV. His vision blurs. He sees his fellow marines
MARINE
“Kovic’s down! Medic!”
FADE OUT.
When we FADE IN again, we’re in:
INT. FIELD HOSPITAL – NIGHT
RON lies on a stretcher, his eyes flutter open. He can’t feel anything below his chest. A MEDIC stands over him.
MEDIC (quietly)
“Soldier…you’ve been hit pretty bad.”
As his words sink in, RON’s world shatters, the ultimate price of war paid. FADE OUT.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 3
INT. VETERANS’ HOSPITAL – DAY
We see RON KOVIC, paralyzed, in a hospital bed. The room is grim, filled with other injured soldiers. Significant airtime is given to the stark difference in atmosphere compared to his idyllic suburbia.
A NURSE (40s, compassionate) tends to him.
NURSE
(softly)
You’re safe now, Ron. You’re back home.
Ron struggles with his words, his eyes well up.
RON
Home’s not… (His voice cracks) Home’s not in a wheelchair.
Ron’s mother PATRICIA KOVIC (50s, deeply worried) sits beside his bed, gripping his hand.
PATRICIA
It’s okay, honey. You’re alive. That’s all that matters.
RON
But at what cost, Ma?
Patricia struggles to answer, tears fill her eyes. Ron looks away, filled with regret.
INT. VETERANS’ HOSPITAL – NIGHT
Ron is alone, staring at the ceiling. He taps his fingers on his chest, the only movement he can manage.
RON
(V.O)
I used to play baseball…run…dance… Now what?
His hand falls to his side, lifeless.
INT. VETERANS’ HOSPITAL – DAY
Ron watches a NEWS REPORT on a small TV, showcasing public support for the Vietnam war. Anger flashes across his face.
RON
(to himself)
They have no idea what we’ve been through.
The camera pulls back to reveal the bleak reality of the hospital contrasted with the patriotic fervor on the television screen – the perfect illustration of Ron’s brewing disillusionment.
FADE OUT.
Scene 4
FADE IN:
INT. KOVIC’S CHILDHOOD HOME – DAY
RON KOVIC, wheelchair-bound, gazes out the window. Outside, CHILDREN play carefree in the street where he once played.
FLASHBACK TO:
EXT. MASSAPEQUA – DAY (1960s)
A young, energetic Ron hits a baseball down the road. The other kids CHEER.
BACK TO:
INT. KOVIC’S CHILDHOOD HOME – DAY
Ron looks on, desolate. His mother, PATRICIA KOVIC, steps into the room.
PATRICIA
(softly)
It’s good to have you home, Ronnie.
RON
(whispers)
Is it, mom? Look at me!
He can barely make eye contact.
PATRICIA
You’re my son. I’m glad you’re alive. You’re a hero.
Ron scoffs at the word.
RON
A hero? Is that what you call it?
Patricia is at loss for words.
EXT. KOVIC’S FRONT YARD – DAY
Ron’s brother, TOMMY KOVIC, pushes him around their old baseball diamond. The atmosphere is heavy. Ron stops Tommy.
RON
Do you think they look at me and see a hero, Tommy?
Tommy stays quiet.
RON
How can they, when I don’t see myself as one?
Tears well up in Tommy’s eyes as he looks at his elder brother.
FADE OUT.
Scene 5
FADE IN:
INT. BRIGHTLY LIT COMMUNITY CENTER – DAY
(We see RON KOVIC, late 20s, intense eyes that have seen too much, in a wheelchair.)
NARRATOR (V.O.)
The battlefield shifted, from Vietnam to home soil…
(Enter EDDIE, a fellow veteran with a prosthetic leg, charismatic, humor masking his pain.)
EDDIE
(offers his hand)
Name’s Eddie. I heard about you, Ron.
RON
(ignores handshake)
What’d you hear?
EDDIE
That you’re a hero.
RON
(scoffs)
Ain’t no heroes in war, only casualties.
CUT TO:
INT. VETERANS MEETING – LATER
(Various war veterans, some in wheelchairs, some with prosthetic limbs, some visibly distressed, some with quiet strength – all united by a shared experience.)
NARRATOR (V.O.)
Like a phoenix, Ron found hope amidst the ashes of his old life…
RON
(speaks passionately)
We were told we’re fighting for freedom! But whose freedom? Certainly not ours.
(Everyone looks at Ron, silent, moved.)
CUT TO:
INT. RON’S HOME – NIGHT
(We see Ron in solitude, grappling with his memories, his guilt.)
NARRATOR (V.O.)
In the quiet of the night, Ron found his purpose…
RON
(whispering to himself)
I have to expose the truth…
FADE OUT:
TO BE CONTINUED…
Scene 6
INT. VETERANS HOSPITAL – DAY
Ron Kovic, wheelchair-bound, fierce and determined, navigates the busy hospital hallway. He stops to speak to various VETERANS, his strong voice echoing.
RON:
It’s time to use our voices. Time to show them the true cost of their war!
INT. RON’S FAMILY HOME – DAY
Ron, in the midst of family and friends, speaks passionately about the anti-war movement. His mother, MRS. KOVIC, listens, visibly shaken but supportive.
RON:
We fight not against our country, but for it. For its real heroes!
EXT. AIRPORT – DAY
Ron, with a group of ACTIVISTS, holds up a sign that reads “War is not the answer”. His face is resolute.
INT. HOTEL ROOM – NIGHT
Ron, alone, emotionally prepares for the Republican National Convention. He looks at the mirror, practicing his speech.
RON:
Tomorrow, they will hear us.
EXT. REPUBLICAN NATIONAL CONVENTION – DAY
Ron, surrounded by a sea of people, waits. His wheelchair boldly positioned at the entrance of the convention center. He grips tightly onto a MICROPHONE.
RON:
Ladies and Gentlemen, I stand…or rather sit here before you, not as a traitor, but a patriot. I fought, bled, and was left broken for a cause I believed in.
CROWD is silent, listening.
RON (CONT’D):
But war…it’s not glory. It’s not liberation. It’s pain, and death, and betrayal!
The crowd buzzes, uneasy. Ron’s voice is unwavering, his eyes filled with fire.
FADE OUT.
