"Taking Chance": HBO's most poignant logistics story

In 2008,  I wrote an article that appears below that gave some insight into the care and integrity that our military puts into the transportation and return home of our fallen soldiers.  That story was about an an Army sergeant named Robert Joe Montgomery. 

I was reminded of this article this past Sunday night when HBO aired a TV movie called "Taking Chance", starring Kevin Bacon.   It is about the death of a US Marine Corps PFC named Chance R. Phelps, from Dubois Wyoming and the Marine Lt. Colonel, Michael Strobl, who escorts him home.  PFC. Phelps died as a result of enemy fire in 2004.  

The movie is based on the story of moving Chance from Iraq back home to his hometown of Dubois, Wyoming and the lives he touched even in death, especially his escort, Lt. Col. Strobl, who did not know Chance Phelps, but was forever touched by him.   Its a story all Americans should watch and understand. 

This was a great movie. I recommend it to everyone.  If you have HBO, and missed the first airing on Feb 21, check here for future viewings.

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Tears of Transport: Fallen Soldiers - April 8th, 2008

I got an email recently from a friend who works for the Journal of Commerce. He brought an article to my attention that he thought readers here might be interested in. Chris Jones of Esquire magazine  has written a truly amazing article on the handling and tender care given to the remains of our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who are killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. This is the most tender and careful transport chain there is. It is about the logistical care given to a fallen soldier as his body is returned to his family.

Chris Jones article is entitled "The Things that Carried Him". It is about the death of United States Army Sergeant Robert Joe Montgomery Jr. of Springfield, Indiana and the transportation of Joey's body back home to his family.  The article is a poignant reflection of the care that the military gives it's dead and the pain that these deaths bring to families, the caregivers and communities.

For many years, the bodies of deceased military men and women were carried by commercial air carriers. Today however the bodies are carried (by law) on either military aircraft or military charters. An honor guard and a general officer meet each arriving aircraft. A general officer also attends every funeral of an Iraq or Afghanistan military casualty.

My own son is 21 years old. His best friend Ben is in Afghanistan now. Ben is a kid who is like my own. He has eaten more pizza and spent more nights here than I care to think about.  Clint and Ben have known each other since they were 3 years old.  Ben's Mom and Dad are godparents to our other kids. I pray everyday that his family (and ours) never has to be the recipient of the delivery this transport chain provides.

God Bless Joey Montgomery and all the other American heroes like him.  Rest in Peace.

Eric

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Comments

[Supply Chain]

Thanks for the valuable post, I hope you don't mind me using your knowledge in future posts on my supply chain knowledge site.

[Major Robert Mann]

Eric,
Thank you for posting this. I have not seen the movie but plan to now. I am an Army logistician and served in Afghanistan. I was in the Joint Logistics Command, which had the responsibility for the mortuary affairs operation in theater. This was the most important mission to the command. Our higher headquarters would divert both helicopters and strategic airlift to move these fallen heroes home very quickly. While this these operations were emotional, it was very rewarding knowing that you were able to honor their service and allow their families to begin the healing process. Thank you again.

Major Robert Mann
Student, Command and General Staff College,
U.S. Army Combined Arms Center
Fort Leavenworth, Kansas

The views expressed in this post are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

[ihate2fly]

Eric,

I couldn't remember the blog that brought to my attention the Esquire story from a year ago. Thanks for the re-post. I watched "Taking Chance" Saturday night and it has a place on my DVR for the foreseeable future. Highly recommended.

ihate2fly
US Army, Retired