Taking Chance Home
UPDATE II: Here is my interview with Ret. Lt. Col. Michael Strobl and Gretchen Mack on Pundit Review Radio
UPDATE: As you will see in the comments below, Chance Phelps mother Gretchen Mack was kind enough to contact us. It was an honor to get the opportunity to speak with her on Pundit Review Radio,
The best thing we do at Pundit Review Radio is our weekly tribute to the troops, a segment called Someone You Should Know. The Someone You Should Know radio collaboration began as an extension of Matt Burden’s series at Blackfive. Today, Bruce McQuain from QandO does an incredible job with the series every week. Bruce is a veteran of the Vietnam war and spent 28 years in the U.S. Army. He brings a perspective and understanding to these stories that we could never match.
Back in September 2006, Blackfive published a book called Blog of War: Frontline dispatches from Iraq and Afghanistan. One of the many amazing stories in the book was called Taking Chance Home,
Marine Lieutenant Colonel Strobl’s account of escorting the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps. It’s a long and beautifully written and it deserves to be read in it’s entirety. It’s about Valor, Honor and Respect.
I cannot recommend this post more. I can’t imagine that you will ever read anything that will make you more proud to be an American.
We interviewed Blackfive about the book and the story of Taking Chance Home came up during a phone call from a Gulf War vet. Listen to Blackfive’s moving description of the story,
Today, Blackfive has an update. Taking Chance Home has been made into an HBO movie starring Kevin Bacon as Marine Lieutenant Colonel Strobl. Here is the trailer,
Hollywood, Iraq, Someone You Should Know, War On Terror | Kevin | 
January 7, 2009 5:13 pm
[...] that does huge credit to the honesty and dedication of the US military. As she said: Kevin at Pundit Review has news about an upcoming HBO movie that will make you break out the Kleenex box as well as fill [...]
What a beautiful story- I can’t wait to see this movie Kevin, thanks for bringing it to my attention!
Hello to all! I am Lcpl Chance R Phelps mother, Gretchen.
It took me almost 5 years to completely read the account, “Taking Chance” that LtCol Mike Strobl wrote about bring our son home…. Mike is a dear friend of our family now. I still have to read the account in bits & pieces, as high emotions keep me from reading it all at once…
We did see the movie for the first time in early Dec as a family, before it’s release to the public. Absolutely gut-wrenching to watch, but HBO & director Ross Katz did an amazing job of sticking to LtCol’s story, and the reality of what goes on behind the scenes in our military.
Without them our country would suffer greatly.
My hat is off to all of you who choose to defend all of us!
Semper Fi,
Forever a Marine Mom,
Gretchen Mack
As a United States Marine, I was looking forward to this movie. I enjoyed viewing it and even sat through the later showing that evening. I was not disappointed. It seems to me, Lt. Col Stobl (Kevin Bacon) had a change of attitude during the movie. He “seemed” to be going through the paces at first but quickly understood just how much Respect was being given without invitation. I saw this when he was rendering Honors after the first flight. He seemed to have a “smirk” on his face (almost embarrassed). From that point on he seemed to “get it”. Although there were no theatrics nor pyrotechnics, it was easy to watch. For the most part I tried to answer questions from my children during the movie and kept yearning for a commercial so I could be more specific. I believe this movie told a solemn but true story of how we honor our Marines. Even though some steps in this might seem “drudgery” to some, it is a “respect” thing. Most might not get it but we “The Few” do.
I could see this driving a documentary someday.
Semper Fidelis.
im a vietnam veteran who was a combat medic 69 and 70 its to bad that the guys comming back from vietnam who were kia werent treated as good as these guys comming back now with dignity respect and the general feelings of everybody involved. all the families of vietnam vets got was a stinking telegram by some delivery boy. nothing it was a discrace and this country and the flag wavers of today of our time will never be able to make up for what they did to us and our dead young soldiers….
My wife and I watched Taking Chance when it premiered this week, and we both ended up in a giant heap of tissues. It’s a beautifully told story of a little-known piece of military procedure that makes me even more proud of our men and women in uniform. To Gretchen, Chance’s mom, we pray that your sorrow is tempered by the profound pride you must have. We didn’t know your son, and we don’t personally know any of the Americans who have given their lives on our behalf, but we will never, ever, EVER forget. To Mr. Clark, your bitterness over how our returning Vietnam vets and KIAs were treated is certainly justified, but I hope you’ll keep a small place in your heart that recognizes how that terrible injustice led to the dignity, honor and respect that our veterans see today.
Joe,
Very well said.
Kevin
As a very proud Mother of a Marine, this movie spoke to my heart. America needs to know what our military goes through to keep us safe!! The movie was done very well and my prayers are with all our military. Please support our men and women, It hurts as Mother of a Marine to see disrespect and I know that it hurts them.
I read about this movie on a flight to Kansas City last week. It just so happened that the movie aired while I was there and I caught it while flipping through the hotel tv channels. It was the night before my husband and I were leaving from Kansas City and he was already in bed, so I ended up watching the entire movie while standing!!! I could not sit down or move the move was so riveting.
How blessed we are here in America to benefit from the sacrifice of people like LCPL Phelps. It saddens me to know many Americans have no clue and don’t care about these men and women.
God bless our men and women in uniform!
My deepest condolences to the family of Lcpl. Chance Phelps.
Warmest regards and thanks to Lt. Col Mike Stobl for his service to country and for presenting the story of Chance Phelps return from war.
I extend congratulations and gratitude to HBO, the men and women who produced the movie and especially Kevin Bacon for his moving portrayal of Lt. Col. Stobl.
This movie was outstanding…I have recommended it to everyone I know…My husband, who is a retired Army vet, and I watched this movie the other evening after not hearing anything about the original story. We watched the entire movie without interruption choked up and teary eyed. We lost our 15 year-old son to leukemia last February, we sympathized with Chance’s parents and family, but we were also so proud to see the response of the American public to the transportation of his body back to its final resting place. These soldiers are going over to Iraq knowing that they may not come back…they believe in what they are doing and what they are fighting for…and we should all thank God for their bravery and courage and dedication to their country. I hope that every single fallen soldier receives the same respect and tenderness that Lt. Col Phelps received on his journey back to Wyoming…even in these days when Americans are anti-Iraqi war. They are all heroes…everyone single military service man and woman…
As I watched this movie I was breathless. Having 2 brother`s that are Marines I understand the level of respect and honor that is given to the one who has giving himself in service of this great country. My hope and pra
my hope and prayer is that everyone that watches this movies understands that this young man gave of himself to keep all of us safe. My heart goes out to the family of Chance Phelps and thank you very much for giving us the honor of knowing your son`s story. His story has touch my heart and makes me even more pround of what our men and women serving this country do for us. God Bless and keep safe all of our armed foreces