This treasure of a movie is about the experiences of Marine Lt. Colonel Michael Strobl and the journey he makes escorting the body of a fallen marine, PFC Chance Phelps back to his hometown. Michael is asked by a high ranking Marine to escort a fallen Marine, Chance, due to the fact Chance is from Strobl's hometown in Dubois, Wyoming. Mike and his wife discuss the matter and Colonel Strobl departs the next day. Airport after airport, Michael and the fallen soldier Chance receive respect and moments of silence from workers. Michael is even given a crucifix on a plane from a flight attendant.
As the long journey ensues from plane and then by vehicle, Colonel Strobl finally reaches Dubois, where the family awaits him to receive the body of Chance Phelps and to gather his personal belongings that the family members cherish as they receive them. Colonel Strobl gives them the crucifix the flight attendant gave him on a flight, telling him it's for him. Strobl gives it to the Phelps family saying it was actually really for them. A touching moment comes to an end as Strobl departs with the family, telling them Chance was highly respected among his peers and will be dearly missed. Strobl attends the funeral that day with Chance getting decorated with military honors. In the end, Strobl says even though he never knew Chance at all, escorting him was an honor and said he misses him. What Strobl says seems to engrave my heart because it has a lot of truth to it.
The lessons that I learned from watching this movie was what is feels like to go across the country with a fallen soldier and all the emotions that fill the air as random strangers feel the impact the dead soldier made even if none of them even knew the person. Every time they would make a stop at every airport to transport the fallen soldier from plane to another, every worker would take a moment to pay their dues by standing in silence with their right hand over their heart. The family that was affected from the death were obviously struck with grief, but the way they came together in this hard time was aspiring. This movie showed the many colors of emotion and it was a moving and powerful movie. It really helped show viewers what the experiences and the feelings in the atmosphere are like in a very heart-rending situation.
Everyday an American soldier falls. In a way, when a soldier falls we all fall together. Even if we never knew the fallen soldier, we as people still feel for his or her family and pay our respect and gratitude. Just like what the movie Taking Chance showed us. We are all affected by the death of a decorated soldier, even if we never even knew the person. We celebrate days like Veteran's Day and Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who put their lives on the line just so this beautiful country can still drink from the grail of freedom. People like Chance and millions of others that lost their lives fighting a courageous battle deserve as much appreciation as any human being in the world. Not all superheroes wear capes, as soldiers prove to us everyday. I would like to take a moment to thank and pay my tribute to every person who is still currently serving, has served or those who were unfortunate and lost their lives, like Chance Phelps. Ernest Hemingway once said, "The world is a fine place and worth fighting for." I agree with the second part. God bless our troops. God bless Chance Phelps.
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