Taking Chance.

Tonight, I was completely absorbed in a movie recently produced by HBO. Taking Chance is the actual account of an officer escorting the body of a Marine killed in action in Iraq back home to his parents. Despite the grim subject matter, it is a heartwarming story of respect and patriotism. I wanted to call Dad and discuss it immediately. Then I wondered if Dad would have watched it at all. He did not watch war movies. I think having seen the live-action version in person permanently colors your vision towards such things, and Dad was no exception.

But Taking Chance is not a war movie. It is remarkably a-political. It is not about the causes, only the ultimate consequences. And if he had watched it, Dad would have appreciated all the details. Even the ones that hurt me to watch. Dad would have appreciated the cleaning, preservation, and presentation of the personal effects and remains of the fallen. He would have told me far more details than I didn't know I didn't want to know about the process. He would have reminded me, again, that too much of our knowledge of forensics has been learned from wartime casualties.

I share this because Dad would have most appreciated the respect and dignity with which the fallen soldiers are treated in this movie. Considering the less than warm reception veterans of Vietnam often received upon their re-entry into society, it would be easy to understand if Dad did not want anything to do with the military, ever. That was not the path he chose. He was a proud member (and former president of the local chapter) of the Veterans of Foreign War. He was supportive of soldiers and his fellow veterans, regardless of the circumstances which led to their deployment.

I may not always understand or support our country's military actions, but I do know that each and every service member who has ever fought to defend the flag of our nation is a hero.