Taking Chance

I have seen so many military and war movies. I’ve seen many military and war documentaries.

I’ve often wondered myself ‘why is it I’m drawn to them in the first place.’ I mean it’s not your usual chick flick. I usually root for the anti-hero. Well, the humble hero anyway.

Seeing that I’m neither for or against war, (I’m not speaking of Operation Iraqi Freedom, I’m speaking of war in general) and the fact I wouldn’t make it two days in boot camp, the only explanation I’ve been able to come up with is that since I believe to get to know someone you must know as much as you can about a persons steps in life if you are to truly understand who that person is. Maybe I watched them trying to figure out my Grandfather “Paw Paw” in my efforts to get as close to him as possible while he was on this earth. He was in the Marines and the Navy.

All I’ve ever heard about any of his military career is that he lied about his age so he could join up with the Marines. While he was stationed in Guam, Pearl Harbor was bombed. Since my Nanny Swann had not heard word and didn’t have a clue where he was, she sent a letter in to his commanding officer asking if her son was okay. In her doing this they found out how old he really was and sent him back home. By the time he finally got home, he was then old enough. So, he decided to go into the Navy. And that’s pretty much it - other than a couple more minor details.

So anything I’ve read or seen regarding War has never moved me as much as Taking Chance did. They say that Saving Private Ryan made it as real as possible for someone who’s never been in combat, and it absolutely terrified me but this movie said it all without the violence. Really!! And the best part about it. There’s no politics. Or not any that stood out. If there are any, I think they are spoken as truth w/o spin instead of politics. To tell you the truth, when I saw the previews for it I really didn’t want to watch it. I figured it was made by just another director spitting propaganda either for or against the war. But after flipping through the channels it seemed to be the only thing on and after 2 minutes I was hooked.

The movie is taken from true accounts that were recorded in the journal of Marine Lieutenant Colonel Mike Strobl as he escorted the remains of Lance Corporal Chance Phelps home to Wyoming in 2004. This really brings home the sacrifice these men and woman make everyday while they are over there.

And let’s not forget, they are still there. Most of us go on about our lives whining because we are possibly living like paupers due to the economic crises. But, they are over there (again, still) and some losing their lives.

They are putting their life and/or limbs on the line – there is no greater love for your country as far as I’m concerned.

I’m not going to say this movie will affect you as it did me. But to warn you in advance – I started dropping tears early on and they just kept getting worse. Mind you I am now off the drug I like the call “apathy in a gel cap” that I took for having insane Baby Blues or what the doctors called a milder form of PPD that I started taking 7 weeks after having Dax. (It’s so nice to have the old Teri back…) I might cry easily when I’m happy or get all emotional over a sad movie, but at least I’m my own TRUE self again.

I still think it’s a possible tearjerker for all. That aside, you should watch Taking Chance. Do it when you don’t have the kids or aren’t preoccupied with something else. It really deserves full attention because it's the tiniest details in this movie that make the most impact. I think every citizen of our country should be made to watch this. To see what it takes to live in the land of the free.

**Side note unrelated to the movie: I referred above that the anti-depressant they put me on was like “apathy in a gel cap.” I’m in no way referring that I don’t believe in these drugs. I had issues with it before, but after having Dax and I started crying for no reason at all that would last all day, running out of breath from just walking across the room and had the huge feeling of impending doom that didn’t seem to be getting better. I pretty much asked the doctor what he was waiting on (prescribing Lexapro) after he diagnosed me with mild PPD. It helped me out a great deal until my hormones got back to normal. I’m not taking it now because my hormones have stabilized – we all hope anyway… ;)

So if you need those anti depressants, by all means take them w/o shame no matter what anybody says. I did.

However, I do think and I believe most agree, they are WAY over prescribed.