"Taking Chance"
 

As we gather to reflect on Memorial Day, please take a moment to give thanks to all the men and women who have paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom.

Every year, I gather the family and watch "Taking Chance" on Memorial Day. It is a fantastic movie depicting the reverence shown while escorted a fallen Marine home.

I'll look for it on DirecTV.

I've attended many, maybe too many military funerals with the Patriot Guard. Reverence was always first and foremost. How the CAOs deal with the burden of delivering the awful news is beyond me. Bless them all.

I lost friends, too many, over my career and attended many funerals..."Taking Chance" is the best, least political movie of it's kind.

Kevin Bacon is perfect in this movie.

Thanks for the reminder, David. I will copy your tradition from this point forward because it makes perfect sense to me. Semper Fi from a squid.

Best.

I served with LtCol Mike Strobl at HQMC. He was the CACO for Lcpl Phelps. Mike was a very fine officer and is a real gentleman. His after-action report spread like wild fire through out the Corps and very quickly became the standard by which Casualty Assistance Officers (collateral duty) were held to. The scene in the film where a senior officer berates the junior officers for not "being in the fight" captured the tenor of the times if you were unlucky enough to be stuck in a staff job. Of course most of us ultimately got the chance to get in on the fight with some getting much more than they bargained for....

Semper fi, Sam

Fantastic movie...very well done.

angela

I didn't make it very far before getting that lump in my throat. The home town scene with everyone lining the street is something I've seen more than once.

It's a tough one to watch. I really thought Kevin Bacon did a great job.

The more time that passes the more I feel survivor guilt regardless of what I did while on active duty. Memorial Day has become much more meaningful to me over the years.

Thank you David. My wife and I are currently watching it per your recommendation. This one hits close to home for us. Our "one and only" is at USNA and just finished her Plebe year. Seahawk and Daepe are familiar with her progress. We think about our Mid going out for her service at the end of her four years constantly! She is currently thinking of going the Marine route. (time will tell) Helicopters to boot!

Amen.

Funny I just came across this post as I just came in from putting up our flag . While I never served I do not take for granted all that did/have/still do . This is a great country because of that sacrifice so many have made . Thank you

That was a great movie. I have watched it twice. Both times I teared up.
Remember the ones that have fallen.

Semper Fi
Bill

Thank you to those who served and those who support. America is the greatest country because of us Americans, not any politician from any party. I get teary-eyed every time I watch it. On Friday, I went to one of my nephew's Marine Corps boot camp graduation at MCRD San Diego. It brought back vivid memories of sacrifice, honor, teamwork, respect and discipline.

It was my honor to be a Marine!

Semper Fi.

Rock on Pelicans!!! David

Just got back from the annual Memorial Day “Murph” workout, reflecting the entire time on what our combat veterans have gone through. Our family was lucky enough that my Green Beret FIL made it back from Vietnam, but 50 years later he’s still working things out every Wednesday at the VA. With a son at the USMA who wants to branch Infantry, we oscillate between great pride and great apprehension. God bless the Gold Star families in particular, today and every day.

Thanks for the excelent suggestion David, Very appropriate movie for today.
It left my ( Navy vet ) brother and I very moved as we watched it this morning.

Kevin Bacon layed down an excellent performance, quite a different role for him.

So much care, respect and admiration for the fallen is great to see.

Does leave me concerned for our vets that live thru their times of service and need help they are hard pressed to find with the VA. Once they try to return to civilian life.

But today is for rememberence of our fallen troups, and this movie is superb in that focus!

Cheers Richard