Taking Chance

Last weekend, Josh and I spent an evening with my dad since my mom was out of town on business. We made pizza, did laundry, hung out, and watched a movie that I really didn't want to watch.

But my dad said I had to.

So I did.

I was skeptical about this movie because I knew it was about soldiers in Iraq. I felt that I had dealt with that issue enough first hand and I didn't need to be any more "aware" of the realities of the situation.

I had already felt the despair, fear, and powerlessness of learning that my dad was going to be deployed. I  watched him pack his bags hoping something would change, the war would be over, someone else would go, they wouldn't need him. My mom and I waited with him until the last minute before his final departure. The hours and days of his absence resonated with finality and fear. Trusting the Lord took on a whole new depth. We spent Thanksgiving and Christmas without him. He was in Iraq, at war, caring for injured Iraqi insurgents, caring for children hurt in the crossfire, caring for our wounded soldiers, experiencing death, war, and indescribable atrocity, all while everyone here, including me, enjoyed freedom and safety.

I know what having a family member in Iraq feels like. What good is a movie about it going to do me? I don't need anymore perspective.

Oh, but I did.

Because my dad came back safely. My mom and I took the day off work to meet him at the airport and welcome him home, finally, home. The burden of fear melted away when we at last laid eyes on him and hugged him. The awareness of war and the fact that it was still going on faded too. My dad was home, that was all that mattered.

The movie is called Taking Chance. It is the true story of a marine Lt. Colonel who volunteers to escort the body of nineteen year old Chance Phelps to his family in Wyoming. I appreciate this movie so much because it beautifully and respectfully highlighted Chance's life and heroic sacrifice. It also allowed me to take time to acknowledge and mourn the sacrifices of American soldiers and their families since 9/11.

We must do this.

We must acknowledge and mourn so that we can remember.  My father came back safely. Chance and thousands of other men and women do not. We must be aware of the reality that this war is continuing, Americans are still dying. Families are still suffering. We must remember these brave soldiers to show our thankfulness and respect and to celebrate their heroism.