Movies

Adam Driver is more than an actor: A look at his military service

BBG News

As a gamer with a keen interest in cinema and military history, I find Adam Driver‘s journey to be nothing short of inspiring. His decision to serve his country after 9/11, followed by his successful acting career, mirrors the epic saga of Star Wars itself.

In the movie “The Force Awakens“, Kylo Ren addresses Darth Vader’s mask and declares, “I will complete what you began.” Symbolically, this statement can also be applied to actors. Just as James Earl Jones did before him, Adam Driver showed great dedication and service to his country.

Following the September 11th terrorist incidents, Driver decided to join the United States Marine Corps. He served for a period of two years before a sternum injury led to a medical discharge. At the time of his departure from service, his rank was Lance Corporal. Since then, with his acting career gaining global recognition, he has remained active and dedicated to supporting military-related initiatives.

In a noble endeavor, he established Arts in Military Forces, an initiative designed to offer art programs to military personnel and their families. From 2006 until 2023, this organization thrived. Post its inception and following the premiere of “The Rise of Skywalker”, fans generously donated approximately $90,000 to the organization. Upon receiving these contributions, Driver expressed his gratitude to the fanbase.

During an interview on WHYY’s Fresh Air in 2015, Driver compared his acting career to his time in the Marines. Just as every movie or stage production has a director, so does every military unit have a commander, noted the twice-nominated Oscar winner.

The driver emulated the speech pattern of the legendary James Earl Jones, who served as an officer towards the close of the Korean War. Stationed in Colorado, Jones helped prepare troops to withstand cold conditions during their deployment in the Korean battlefield.

The same individual responsible for crafting themes for both ‘Driver’ and ‘Jones’ had a stint in the military. John Williams, the renowned composer, served in the United States Air Force from 1951 to 1955. During this time, he worked as a composer, created music for the US Air Force Band, a topic that is covered in the recent documentary titled ‘Music by John Williams‘.

In 2015, the actor who became famous for his role in “The Force Awakens” decided to give a TED Talk instead. During this talk, he spoke about his experiences that resembled the Star Wars series. “In the military,” Driver explained, “every action had significance; it was either rooted in tradition or served a practical purpose.

Within our franchise, everything carries a rich history and significance. On Veterans Day, we pay tribute to Adam Drive and every military personnel who have honorably served our nation.

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2024-11-11 20:21

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