Top 10 Best War Movies for Memorial Day

For a lot of people, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer travel season. For others, it is a time to stop and reflect on the sacrifices men and women in America's military have made in the name of freedom.

In my family, many of my uncles served in the military, many of whom were deployed during World War II and the Korean War.

Growing up, I remember my grandpa was always fascinated with war movies. One story my siblings and I fondly remember involved my grandpa walking up and down the aisles of the local Blockbuster chanting "war, war, war" as he browsed the military films section.

With that, here is my list of the top 10 war-related films for those of you looking to brush up on your history this weekend.

1. Saving Private Ryan

I was very impressed by this film. Following D-Day, a group of U.S. soldiers go behind enemy lines to retrieve a paratrooper whose brothers have been killed in action.

2. Schindler's List

In Poland during World War II, Oskar Schindler gradually becomes concerned for his Jewish workforce after witnessing their persecution by the Nazis.

3. Glory

Robert Gould Shaw leads the U.S. Civil War's first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.

4. War Horse

Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse is sold to the cavalry. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and across Europe as the war rages on.

5. We Were Soldiers

This movie tells the story of the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam War and the soldiers on both sides that fought it.

6. M.A.S.H.

The staff of a Korean War field hospital use humor and hijinks to keep their sanity in the face of the horror of war.

7. Apocolypse Now

During the on-going Vietnam War, Capt. Willard is sent on a dangerous mission into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade Green Beret who has set himself up as a god among a local tribe.

8. Full Metal Jacket

A pragmatic U.S. Marine observes the dehumanizing effects the Vietnam War has on his fellow Marine recruits from their brutal boot camp training to the bloody street fighting set in 196.

9. Captain America: The First Avenger

I threw this one in just for fun. After being deemed unfit for military service, Steve Rogers volunteers for a top secret research project that turns him into Captain America, a superhero dedicated to defending the USA's ideals.

10. The Bridge on the River Kwai

After settling his differences with a Japanese PoW camp commander, a British colonel co-operates to oversee his men's construction of a railway bridge for their captors - while oblivious to a plan by the Allies to destroy it.

All of these titles are available at the or at in Dexter.