Posted on 02/26/2009 7:03:54 AM PST by jessduntno
'Taking Chance' -- A Look at the Real Price of Freedom
Posted by Bobby Eberle February 26, 2009 at 7:57 am
President Obama unveils his proposed budget for FY 2010 on Thursday. Several news outlets already have summaries, and the bullet items paint a grim picture of massive government spending and the return of higher taxes. Obama will be pushing his plan for universal health care. That means the taxpayers will now be in the business of providing health care for all.
It's just too much for me to take today, so I'm going to take a different turn. We hear about these spending plans and the tremendous amount of money that Obama is planning to spend. But what about the real cost of freedom? I'm talking about the men and women who have given their lives to keep this country free. They have paid the ultimate price so that you and I can live in this great country. In the new HBO film, "Taking Chance," we are reminded of that sacrifice and how a fallen Marine still touches the lives of those around him, even after he has passed from this world.
The film is about the journey of two Marines, one living and one who was killed in action in Iraq. Lt. Col. Mike Strobl had already served in Iraq during Desert Storm. However, during Iraqi Freedom when many of his fellow Marines were returning to fight, he remained in a desk job with his wife and family. The film portrays Strobl has conflicted with this decision as he continually monitors the Pentagon's list of those killed in action in Iraq.
(Excerpt) Read more at gopusa.com ...
I strongly recommend "Taking Chance." Maybe it is the overall story, or maybe it is the contrast between a Marine giving his life for his country and seeing how that country is changing, but whatever it is, the film grabbed me, and I felt I was on the journey along with Lt. Col. Mike Strobl.
America is a great country with great men and women fighting for our freedom. All I want is for that freedom to continue... for value to be placed on the American spirit and not an all-powerful government.
I saw it on HBO, it was a really good movie.
Last year, I was on a plane carrying a fallen hero and his escort. Someone in first class gave up his seat for the escort, and we all stayed on the plane while the fallen hero’s casket was offloaded. Everyone on the plane was in tears. We are still Americans; we honor and are deeply grateful for the sacrifice of those who keep us free and safe.
I saw it. It’s good. If you can get past the image of Kevin Bacon in a Marine Corps uniform.....................
I’ve watched this movie twice, and have been moved to sobs each time. It is a well done movie. There’s no political agenda to it. It’s very respectful to the fallen men and women of America. One thing that really moved me is the care given to the bodies of the fallen. The line where the female in uniform tells Bacon’s character that Phelps’ body was not suitable for viewing, and that she had been honored to care for him really gets me. It’s just a good movie.
That’s a really good interview with Lt. Strobl and Bacon at the link.
I wish we paid this much attention to live Vets.
A tribute to a fallen hero as illustrated by the respect of middle America ie, the motorcade, the airline pilot and the passengers on the plane, etc. God bless all the heros and that they have not died in vain.
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