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.

The Last Birthday

Adam had been home on his predeployment leave and would be heading back to 29 Palms on February 10th, then to Iraq in early March. His 21st birthday on April 2nd would be spent in Iraq and that thought made me very sad. With only a few days remaining before his leave ended, I decided to throw Adam a birthday party. It was a little early but why not? As it turned out, it became one of the most fun and memorable birthdays, and it would also be his last birthday.

With only a few days to plan, we put together a nice family dinner and celebration along with gifts of course. For his deployment to Iraq we had ordered a KA-Bar knife, which he said wanted but didn't know we were getting. After all, a Marine needs his KA-Bar. But this was not just any knife, it was more like a small sword, with an eight inch fixed blade, but it was what he wanted. That worked out well, I didn't even have to stress over getting him a birthday present, the KA-Bar would do just fine. Only one problem, February 9th, the day of the birthday party came but the knife did not. Now what? So I had to move to plan B. This was a problem that could be easily solved with a trip to the dollar store and some imagination.

The birthday table was set in Adam's signature red – red everything. Red table cloth, red plates, cups, red wrapping paper, you name it and we did it red. The family all came, we had dinner with lots of laughs and stories. After the meal, blowing out the candles and eating birthday cake, it was time for gifts. Adam opened his presents one by one, and then it was time for his “big present” from mom and dad. Adam opened the box only to find a gray plastic sword with a bright orange handle. He laughed and smiled with those adorable dimples and got the biggest kick out of his new “weapon”. That was a happy evening and one I will always cherish.

The next day, just before Adam was to leave town to go back to 29 Palms, the KA-Bar arrived. Tony and I met up with him on his way out of town, in the Crown Burger parking lot, and exchanged the plastic sword with his coveted KA-Bar. We said our good-byes, he got in his car and drove away. It seemed so sad to see him go even though we knew we would see him in about three weeks in 29 Palms to see him off to Iraq. That was the last time we ever saw Adam here in Salt Lake City. So if you ever see me crying in my onion rings at Crown Burger, you'll know why.

Adam's 21st birthday on February 9th which wasn't his birthday at all, was one of the best!

Cpl. Adam Galvez, USMC
KIA 8/20/06 Iraq