'Taking Chance': A tale not of war, but honor
Kevin Bacon stars as a Marine escorting the casket of a slain Marine across the U.S.
During the Persian Gulf war in 1991, Michael Strobl was a lieutenant in a Marine artillery unit in the thick of the action.
By the time the Marines led the U.S. assault into Iraq in 2003, Strobl had been promoted to lieutenant colonel and had a desk job crunching manpower numbers at Quantico, Va.
Nagged by a sense that he should be at the front rather than behind a desk, Strobl volunteered as a military escort for a Marine killed near Ramadi. Strobl's assignment was to accompany the casket of Pvt. Chance Phelps from the military mortuary at Dover, Del., to Phelps' hometown in Wyoming for burial.
Phelps, 19, assigned to the Twentynine Palms-based 3rd battalion, 11th Marine regiment, was killed when his convoy was attacked on Good Friday, 2004.
-Tony Perry
I look forward to seeing this movie. On June 26, 2008 my cousin Captain Philip J. Dykeman USMC was killed when an Al Qaeda terrorist dressed as an Iraqi Security Guard detonated an explosives he was hiding under his clothes. Ironically the bomb went off during a meeting where the Marines and local officials and sheiks were discussing the peaceful transition of the town of Kharma (Anbar Province) back to Iraqi control. Twenty people were killed including 3 Marines.
When Captain Phil was returned to his home in rural Central New York, the support from the community was heartfelt and unbelievable. The funeral procession from small town Central Square, NY to smaller village Cleveland, NY traveled some 15 miles. Through the entire route people lined the road. These people didn't know Captain Phil. They lined the roads, many with flags waving, standing at attention saluting all saying a final good-bye. This is a tribute to the great people of Central New York.
Captain Phil's brothers in the Corp came from around the world to pay a final tribute to their friend and comrade. In there dress blue uniforms they spoke openly about Captain Phil and the impact he had on everyone he touch. One Marine from Captain Phil's company told the story that following his death many sheiks and civic leaders in the Kharma area successfully petitioned Baghdad to rename one of the schools in Capt. Dykeman's memory, and because they knew him as Capt. Phil, today there is a Captain Phil primary school in northern Kharma Iraq.
Stories like that depicted in the movie "Taking Chance" and that of Captian Phil unfortunately have been played out too often across the country. My hope is that people who aren't aware, become aware of the good things that go on over there. The good seems to go un- or under reported. Many years from now a free Iraq will owe their freedom to these brave Americans.
Always faithful,
Team Dykeman
www.teamdykeman.com
Posted by: Peter Bateman | February 20, 2009 at 10:22 AM
a great movie
Posted by: bill | February 22, 2009 at 02:08 AM
I have taken part in many Marine Corps burials as part of the burial detail, from the gun salute, to flag folding, and bugle. Fortunently I have only had to do 2 full honors burials(for the killed in action Marines). I could never know what its like as an escort, but have seen what its like for the families when something like this happens. And from spending a tour in Iraq and loosing buddies while there, I am happy to know that they were treated with this kind of respect on their trip home to their final resting place. I got to watch the HBO premier with a room full of Marines and Gold Star family members and even the toughest Marines couldnt keep their eyes dry.
Great movie, and it IS a must see.
s/f
Posted by: Bradshaw | February 25, 2009 at 06:42 PM
Taking Chance--i did not intend to watch thjs movie and only stumbled on it by accident. It is stunningly simple, elegant and beautifully made. Thankfully it is devoid if politicall rhetoric and allows the viewer to see this simple story for what it is. As i watched this movie--i was struck by the incredible contrast with the character of many Americans presently --vis a vie the men in this movie. What has happened to the leadership in america; why does the concept of honor escape them so easily?
Posted by: jerry | February 26, 2009 at 06:44 PM