I cried silently for over an hour.

[cherokeeprogressive]

Tonight I finally got the opportunity to watch "Taking Chance", which I had Tivoed.

As a veteran, I was struck from the first minutes of the movie with the care and respect those servicemembers tasked with returning our young dead to their families treated their fallen bretheren. It was "behind the scenes" information that was even more powerful than seeing flag draped caskets.

I was struck mostly though by the people on the planes, most notably the character that Gordon Clapp played. He was the pilot who flew PFC Phelps to Billings, MT. On the ground, he spoke to the passengers and asked them to respectfully allow PFC Phelps' Escort to disembark the plane first. The look on the young lady sitting next to his escort when she understood who his escore was made me sob.

In my small mountain town, we lost one of our own to the madness in Iraq. I didn't know him, but saw him play high school football and heard from lots of residents how proud of him they were. His name was Jared Landaker, and he was a First Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He flew helicopters ferrying wounded Marines to safety. His bird was hit by a missile and crashed, killing all onboard.

So I did a little research about how his remains came home to Big Bear Lake, CA. I'm still teary. If I may, allow me to share with you some exerpts from a story written by one who was lucky enough to share Jared's last flight...

"On board, 0600: "Good morning folks this is the Captain. This morning we have been attending to some additional duties and I apologize for being 10 minutes late for pushback but believe me we will be early to LAX. This morning it is my sad pleasure to announce that 1st LT Jared Landaker USMC will be flying with us to his Big Bear home in Southern California . Jared lost his life over the sky's of Iraq earlier this month and today we have the honor of returning him home along with his Mother, Father, Brother and uncles. Please join me in making the journey comfortable for the Landaker family and their uniformed escort. Now sit back and enjoy our ride, we are not expecting any turbulence until we reach the Rocky Mountains and at that time we will do what we can to ensure a smooth ride. For those interested you can listen in to our progress on button 9.

4 hours and 35 minutes later over Big Bear, CA, the AB320 makes a left roll and steep bank and then one to the right. Nice touch CAPTAIN. Five minutes out from landing, the Captain, "Ladies and Gents after landing I'm leaving the fasten seatbelt sign on and I ask everyone in advance to yield to the Landaker family. Please remain seated until all members have departed the aircraft. Thank you for your patience, we are 20 minutes early."

On roll out, I notice red lights, emergency vehicles everywhere. We are being escorted directly to our gate, no waiting anywhere, not even a pause. Out the left window, a dozen Marines in full dress blues. Highway Patrol, Police, Fire crews all in full dress with lights on. A true class act by everyone, down to a person from coast to coast. Way to go United Airlines for doing the little things RIGHT, because they are the big things; Air Traffic Control for getting the message, to all law enforcement for your display of brotherhood.

When the family departed the aircraft everyone sat silent, then I heard a lady say, "God Bless You and your Family, Thank You." Then another, then another, then a somber round of applause. The Captain read a prepared note from Mrs. Landaker to the effect, "Thank you all for your patience and heartfelt concern for us and our son. We sincerely appreciate the sentiment. It is nice to have Jared home."

War isn't HELL. It's WRONG. It takes from us those who have the most to contribute to the betterment of us all: Our young.

I at one time thought that the money we spend as a nation on military hardware was money well spent. I no longer think that way and haven't for years, but "Taking Chance" put a nice bow on why I believe what I believe.

Kudos to Kevin Bacon for his portrayal of Lt. Col. Michael Strobl. Kudos to Lt. Col. Michael Strobl for sharing his experience with us, and MAJOR KUDOS to Lt. Col. Michael Strobl for volunteering to escort an enlisted man home to his final resting place.

Fuck war, but at the same time, thank our lucky stars for those among us who would take it upon themselves to put their lives on the line to make sure we sleep all night safely. Whether or not there is an IMMEDIATE threat isn't the issue. That there are those among us who would take up arms to defend us is.

Thanks Jared. Thanks Marines. Thanks Sailors. Thanks GI's. Thanks Airmen.

Would that I could make everyone understand why you do what you do.

[Suich]

1. Here's a related article from 11/05:

http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/iraq_war_families/1.html

K & R.

:patriot:

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. In the movie about PFC Phelps, two Marines go to the Phelps house at 2 a.m.

A job I wouldn't want. A job I don't think I could do. A job that is done by people, men and women, with more intestinal fortitude than I might be able to muster in the most dire of circumstances. Thank God for them.

[Suich]

5. I agree...I couldn't do it, either.

God bless them.

[BamaGirl]

24. I've had one of those late night/early morning knocks

I'd hate to be the one delivering it, and for me the outcome was certainly better. My husband was shot last March and they came for me at 1am. Now, it looks like he's getting deployed in June. Two of our kids watched this movie with us and it was weird. It was such a sad, heart wrenching movie and their dad may be gone in a few months so I was really reluctant to let them watch it. But they went through so much last year that they kinda seem armored. I mean, I had to wake them up and tell them their dad got shot. It's been a very strange year for us. I thank god that the person who came to me that night was someone I know, someone we've known for years, and feel horrible for everyone who gets this awful news from people they don't know.

I'm totally with you. I couldn't do it, but thank god for the ones who do.

[Aviation Pro]

3. I've suffered personal loss from these two wars.....

...each time we lose a warrior I weep silently.

My question, the only question, is when are we going to arrest those responsible for Iraq and incarcerate them for the rest of their miserable lives?

We must bang the drum loudly until Two Shoes Bush, Shitstain Cheney, Condomlezza Rice, Herrgruppenoberfuehrer Rumsfeld, Fatass and Fatasser Addington and Yoo and the rest of the rogues gallery is sitting in the dock and facing America's and the world's justice.

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. 100% Agreement.

[Why Syzygy]

7. Has there ever been a politician who paid the price for his wars? nt

[Art_from_Ark]

19. The politicians on the losing side sometimes do

Adolph Hitler, Hideki Tojo, Benito Mussolini. Can't think of too many others off the bat, though.

[aquart]

8. What Cherokee Progressive said.

While I blot my eyes.

[Two Americas]

6. one of the best

This is one of the best posts I have ever read here. It is so good, that anything I say in appreciation and admiration would be inadequate. I will just say thank you and recommend this post in the hope that many here can read it.

Thank you, cherokeeprogressive.

[bdab1973]

9. You always remember the names

Some of my coworkers and I talked about the movie (I wish I could watch it), and how we've done similar missions. As C-130 crew, we've all flown the fallen out of country. It's a very somber mission, and although it's not one we LIKE doing, it's a mission we'll all move heaven and earth to accomplish. Whenever we arrive to pick up the dead, we shut down. Every other aircraft knows it's an HR mission because the tail of the airplane is pointed towards the ramp, rather than pulling in nose-first. All other aircraft usually shut down, and anyone and everyone lines up on either side of the cargo ramp, including the crew of the airplane. We all render honors as the deceased is loaded onto the aircraft, and prior to starting we stand with the friends who often sit next to the casket to say their farewells. It's always very sad. Strangely, we always try to give a very smooth flight, even though they have passed away. And we always remember their names, despite not ever having met them.

I am glad people get to see how the fallen are given the highest honors and treatment by their fellow servicemen and women on their last journey home.

[Aviation Pro]

10. Hercules crews are the best.....

....

[Brucie Kibbutz]

11. "thank our lucky stars"

"Whether or not there is an IMMEDIATE threat isn't the issue. That there are those among us who would take up arms to defend us is.

Thanks Jared. Thanks Marines. Thanks Sailors. Thanks GI's. Thanks Airmen."


Well put, cherokee, and thank you for your service. :patriot:

[Are_grits_groceries]

12. There is a book about an officer who notifies loved ones

of a death. It is called "Final Salute." It also covers a lot about the entire process. I cried reading it.

[progressoid]

13. .

k/r

[CrispyQ]

14. Thank you for the touching post

& the reminder of the sacrifice that our military families make. My heart goes out to all of them.

k&r

[Muttocracy]

15. ...

K&R& :cry:

[Born_A_Truman]

16. ...

I just found the listing for this and set the DVR. I have such great respect for our military and their families; I grew up a Navy brat myself and both brothers served as did my husband.

Just wanted to say thank you for your post. I'm your neighbor to the north in the little desert town at the base of your beautiful mountain.

[Billy Burnett]

17. If you haven't see Taking Chance yet, be forewarned..

.. it's a 50+ kleenex movie, even for the hardest hearts. I saw it in a hotel room alone - cried like a baby almost throughout. Gut wrenching performances, cinematography, editing, soundtrack. Brilliant use of short flashbacks - especially touching moments (like the 4 second flash back of the woman ticket agent w/a tear rolling down her cheek) had me heaving and bawling.

Tough one to watch.

I think it should be required viewing for every American.

Made me wonder how such a caring people could be so careless in allowing Bush to commit this heinous crime in our name.

[Born_A_Truman]

21. It's set to record Sunday morning 11:30am HBO HD

As it turns out, one of my brothers will be here unless his plane leaves Ontario early. He's out here for a week for work and stayed here last Saturday night and will be back Saturday, flying out Sunday. If he's still here, we'll watch it together as I'm sure he hasn't seen it yet either.

I'll have the tissues ready because I already know it will tear at my heart.

[cherokeeprogressive]

18. Are you in Lucerne Valley? n/t

[Born_A_Truman]

20. Yes, on 30.5 acres of gorgeous desert.

Mid December I thought I woke up in BB with all the snow we had down here!

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. We were housebound for three days because the snowplows took that long to get to our street.

I spent four hours with the snowblower clearing my driveway, and waited three days for the city to remember my little spur of a street.

We live on Red Ant Hill, just above Lakeview Drive about a half mile east of the Cowboy Restaurant if you know where that is. I can see the Big Bear Marina from here. Awesome view of the lake from my kitchen, picture window, and back deck.

Hey how's that Chinese restaurant? People on the hill tell me it's the best Chinese around but I haven't been there yet.

Come up to Chad's sometime. I'll buy you and your hubby a drink.

[Born_A_Truman]

23. I couldn't get out for several days either

No snow plows here at all. In fact, our road isn't county maintained and we're about 7 miles from Hwy 18--out on dirt roads--but I love it. Hubby has a jeep so he was able to get to town. He's a teacher so school was cancelled the second day. He actually had to go to work that Wednesday and it was near white-out conditions. I work from home so I didn't have to even try to get to town.

China House is great. We order take out quite a bit. I haven't been up the hill in a couple of years. I used to take my Dad there for Father's Day after I lost mom. Lost Dad in 1994 right after I moved up here. My parents lived here several years and I would come up to visit from LA. I never really appreciated the beauty until I saw the desert on horseback.

If we get up your way I'll be sure and take you up on that drink!