'Taking Chance' ~ Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (USMC) ~ PBS "America at a Crossroads" (2007)

This clip is the finale to the PBS series "America at a Crossroads: 'Operation Homecoming - Writing the Wartime Experience'," first broadcast in the U.S. in Spring 2007, in which Lt. Col. Michael "Mike" Strobl's recollections of escorting the body of PFC Chance Phelps (USMC) back home, to Wyoming from Iraq, are dramatized. Based upon Lt. Col. Strobl's journal, this moving and personal story was later produced as a film for HBO Productions, "Taking Chance" (2009), starring Kevin Bacon as Lt. Col. Strobl.

Narration by Robert Duvall.

Please view this and pay tribute, to both of these men.

No copyright infringement intended. To learn more, please visit the PBS page at http://www.pbs.org/weta/crossroads/about/show_operation_homecoming_writings.h...

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"Taking Chance"
By U.S. Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel Michael Strobl

When we arrived at Billings, I was the first off the plane. The funeral director had driven five hours up from Riverton, Wyoming, to meet us. He shook my hand as if I had personally lost a brother.

I picked up my rental car and followed Chance for the five hours back to Riverton. During the long trip I imagined how my meeting with Chance's parents would go. I didn't know anything about Chance Phelps; not even what he looked like. I wondered about his family and what it would be like to meet them. I was very nervous about that.

When we finally arrived at the funeral home, I felt I needed to inspect Chance's uniform to ensure everything was proper.

Earlier in the day I wasn't sure how I'd handle this moment. Suddenly, the casket was open and I got my first look at Chance Phelps. His uniform was immaculate—a tribute to the professionalism of the Marines at Dover. I noticed that he wore six ribbons over his marksmanship badge; the senior one was his Purple Heart. I had been in the Corps for more than seventeen years, including a combat tour, and was wearing eight ribbons. This private first class, with less than a year in the Corps, had already earned six.

The next morning, I wore my dress blues and followed the hearse for the trip up to Dubois, population about 900, some ninety miles away. This was the most difficult leg of our trip for me. I was bracing for the moment when I would meet his parents and hoping I would find the right words as I presented them with Chance's personal effects. We got to the high school about four hours before the service was to begin.

In short order I met Chance's step-mom and father, followed by his step-dad and, at last, his mom.

I told them about our trip. I told them how, at every step, Chance was treated with respect, dignity, and honor. I didn't know how to express to these people my sympathy for their loss and my gratitude for their sacrifice. Now, however, they were repeatedly thanking me for bringing their son home and for my service. I was humbled beyond words.

The service was a fitting tribute to this hero. When it was over, we stood as the casket was wheeled out with the family following. The casket was placed onto a horse-drawn carriage for the mile-long trip from the gym, down the main street, then up the steep hill to the cemetery. I stood alone and saluted as the carriage departed the high school.

All along the route, people had lined the street and were waving small American flags. The flags that were otherwise posted were all at half-staff. For the last quarter mile up the hill, local boy scouts, spaced about twenty feet apart, all in uniform, held large flags. At the foot of the hill, I could look up and back and see how enormous the procession was. I wondered how many people would be at this funeral if it were in, say, Detroit or Los Angeles—probably not as many as were here in little Dubois, Wyoming.

The carriage stopped about fifteen yards from the grave. Once the entire crowd was in place, the pallbearers came to attention and began to remove the casket from the caisson. As I had done all week, I came to attention and executed a slow ceremonial salute as Chance was being transferred from one mode of transport to another.

From Dover to Philadelphia, Philadelphia to Minneapolis, Minneapolis to Billings, Billings to Riverton, and Riverton to Dubois, we had been together. Now, as I watched them carry him the final fifteen yards, I was choking up. I felt that, as long as he was still moving, he was somehow still alive. Then they positioned him over his grave. He had stopped moving.

Now, he was home to stay and I suddenly felt at once sad, relieved, and useless. It had been my honor to take Chance Phelps to his final post. Now he is on the high ground overlooking his town.

I miss him.

© Copyright Michael Strobl
This excerpt of "Taking Chance" is from Operation Homecoming, edited by Andrew Carroll.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Iraq
• OIF
• Marine
• Corps

[Micahc84]

I just finished serving on funeral detail for the Army. This movie was done with so much respect and accuracy, my wife and I were both in tears through most of it. It is a must watch.

[tracebearly]

@Micahc84 : I thank you sincerely for your service. That is not easy duty. But, I am pleased that this clip is being seen. Please do pass on the link to friends, family and colleagues, as you see fit. Take care.

[VOLUNTAS1000]

Lt. Col. Michael Strobl (USMC) Sir, thank you so much for your service to the Country. I also wanna thank you for the great story about your journey bringing home Chance Phelps to his family. Both of you are hero to me. I was born in the P.I. but I came to love this Country of yours the Uniter States of America. Taking Chance is a moving,powerful movie, I was in tears the whole time I was watching it. My nephew was assigned once in Iraq , also my brother in law is now in Afganistan.

[jolly113]

@texsis48 what's remarkable is that Strobl is a Lt. Col., two ranks below Brig. Gen., and he took the time to escort this private home.

[uspatriot911]

Iam emotional right know just typing this down chance phelps storie was very moving I plan on join the Marines because of Chance. I truly respect him and his family and all of the familys that have loved ones that are serving this great country and the ones that didn't make it home rest in peace. :(

[hitmanvb47]

Something everyone should remember when watching this movie, is this story represents thousands of others who didn't get to have all their individual stories told. Americans should honor their dead and not forget all of them and pray for all of their families

[hitmanvb47]

Great movie

[doctorlili7]

It moved me, very much.My best wishes to all his family and also for all marines...

[Shinakumiatsu]

-Salute.-

[maggiebeck77]

This gave me the chills and, made me cry! While giving me peace of mind. Because MY SON will one day be a United States Marine. I now know if something shoul happen to him he will be treated with HONOR!

[jgp1957]

This is so tender while being heartbreaking ...God be with the souls and family of all fallen soldiers. I am racked with tears for all of these fine young people.

[Ken4Pyro]

@mgwilliams1000 Many years ago, I attended a funeral for the father of a friend at Ft. Rosecrans here in San Diego. As we were leaving the cemetery one of my friends began to weep that Joe was "up there alone." It occurred to me that he wasn't, and I noted for her that he was surrounded by several thousand soldiers, marines, sailors, and airmen. He was where he belonged, and on watch at his final post. Your comment reminded me of that. I thank you!