Taking chance - Il ritorno di un eroe

On 28 December 2010, I began escort duty for PFC Conrado Javierdiaz, Jr. Private First Class Javierdiaz was laid to rest in Marina, California on 6 January 2011. This movie is a fairly accurate portrayal of what it is to be an escort. Much has changed between 2004 and 2010. Remains do not travel by commercial air anymore, but by contracted carriers, usually from Dover directly to the nearest airport to the final resting place. There are a few flaws; sloppy salutes, misplaced uniform items, and an airman wouldn't be walking around outdoors with no headgear and no blouse. But, overall, the movie was fairly accurate. And, although they didn't actually film at the Casualty Affairs building at Dover, there is a curved wall with the names of fallen servicemembers carved in it, very similar to the film. Along the way, in life as in the movie, there are many, many small and random acts of kindness and grace. Although we don't generally describe what we're doing and do all we can to maintain a level of solemnity and dignity, people along the way know who we are and what we're doing.

Taking Chance is a film that shows America and Americans in such a beautiful way, paying tribute in each's manner to someone who serves to protect our nation and our way of life. Sure, people dump on the film for its flag waving and for its rampant patriotism. But, me... I rather favor patriots. I don't have much patience for ingrates. It's nice to watch a film that makes me feel good about America.

I was really amazed by this film - there is no actual action in it but is so emotionally strong! At first sight it looks like documentary but it's actually not. The topic - bringing home dead soldier - is really heart-breaking, involving all of us, thou not everyone of us has direct ties with the military. I was pleased that there was no propaganda, no politics, no religion - just simple truth and reality. And Kevin Bacon played his part so well - to catch and express that thin line between grief, sympathy, doubt and strict military training. No surprise he won golden globe for it.

This film has to be seen by everyone, no matter where they live, what religion or political view they have.

I think it's one of the best drama i have seen.Actually i didn't seen such emotional movie before. i think its a sample true & the way the treat with a martyr was amazing & full of respect. I really liked the play of Kevin Bacon.

Back in 2003, I read Steven Brill's account of the aftermath of 9/11 in the United States. One of the many stories in the account dealt with rumors among the families of the victims, that the human remains intermingled with the debris. Feelings ran so strong that the City of New York finally arranged for a review of the site by a committee of family representatives. What they found were that the workers at the site were sifting through the wreckage with a far higher degree of care and sensitivity than they could possibly have guessed. People, at the end of the day, care about people.

I viewed 'Taking Chance' in that context. The political heat that infuses some of the other comments, is surprising to me. I didn't see the movie as making any political statement at all. In fact, to the extent that one can be inferred, it is mildly negative on the Iraqi war, raising the question of whether all this grief was worth it.

What it is about, is the respect that ordinary people have for grief and sacrifice. To that extent, it is profoundly moving,

This film was a respectful tribute to our servicemen and women who have fallen in combat in Iraq, and a lesson to Hollywood. This film allows any viewer, of any political persuasion, race, color, creed to honor (and grieve) in a respectful and deeply moving way through the journey of a Marine escort. This was not a travelogue, this was America at its best. The people in this film are people I recognize, although I am not from Wyoming. They represent the many families and friends I know who have lost young, vital men and women in combat. I am from a small rural state and I haven't seen anything from Hollywood to match this in a long time.