The Duke (1900)

Being Over There is a topical, fast-paced narrative account of Richard Colbrunn’s experience and intimate connection to 9/11 and its aftermath, followed by his joining the National Guard and serving a one year tour in Iraq. Being Over There ultimately tries to explore the complex emotional issues and phenomena of patriotism, the toll of war, the natural patriotism elicited by the events of 9/11, and how that patriotism, in Richard’s eyes, has become misguided and mischanneled in the bloody quagmire that has become Iraq. Towards Being Over There’s conclusion, Richard has an epiphany of sorts, a startling dream which he interprets as pointing to the underlying spiritual nature which marks all of Man’s actions. For Richard, the dream helps to reconcile what he experienced while fighting a war in a foreign country.