My Thoughts on "Taking Chance"

I eagerly awaited the showing of the HBO movie “Taking Chance”. The movie depicted Mairne Pfc Chance Phelps' final journey home after being killed in Iraq. Lt. Col. Mike Strobl, Phelps' escort from Dover AFB back to his family in Wyoming, carefully recorded the events of this special duty. The story underscored the extreme dignity, honor and respect our fallen warriors are given every step of the way, from the battlefield to their final resting place.

First I want to say thank to you Pfc Phelps and his family for their service and sacrifice to our nation and to express my most heartfelt condolences. The final journey of Chance Phelps although tragic, was beautiful. It made me very proud.

My son Adam, like Chance, had also made that final trip home, with a Marine escort by his side after being killed in Iraq. As I watched the movie, I thought about my son and what that trip might have been like for him. Many things shown in the movie gave me new insight about my son's journey from Iraq, to Dover and finally home to Salt Lake City. I was especially moved by the way the bodies of our warriors are treated at Dover. The care and respect shown by each person at Dover surprised me, although it shouldn't have. I had no idea it was that way. My son's body was probably treated with a similar respect, and that comforts me.

The exceptional way a Marine escort cares for the Marine is awe-inspiring. At our request, my son was escorted home by his best friend, then LCpl. Robert Clark. Adam and Bobby grew up together, played baseball together and joined the Marines together, and Bobby brought Adam home. As I watched Lt. Col. Strobl in his escort duty, I realized just what it was we had asked Bobby to do, and how difficult that must have been for him. Just as Lt. Col. Strobl carried the small red velvet bag with Chance's personal effects from Dover and delivered them to his family, Bobby also carried a small red bag containing Adam's personal effects. I had never thought about how it had been Bobby's responsibility to carry that little bag with such care, and ensure it was safely placed in our hands. Truthfully, I don't know how Bobby ever got through that duty. I appreciate what he did for Adam more today, because of Chance Phelps' story.

Some of the same Marines from 2/23 Fox Company (-) who provided the funeral detail for Pfc. Phelps also helped lay my son to rest. For those who gave all and for the families left behind, the Marines truly do this job right. I thank them, and and am proud of them. Their compassionate professionalism comforted me.

This movie gave me understanding about the process and what it took to bring our son home. Despite spending the next few days in tears, I felt better knowing a little bit more about my son's final journey. I am grateful to Lt. Col. Strobl for volunteering to be Pfc. Phelps' escort and for his writings that eventually became this excellent movie. Lt. Col. Strobl, not only did you honor Pfc. Phelps and the Marine Corps, you provided a little more peace to another Marine mom who dearly misses her son. Thank you.