Funny how connections are made that have a lasting impact on your life. A few years ago I saw the HBO movie, Taking Chance. I’m kind of an emotional guy anyway and I found myself wiping tears from my eyes as the story unfolded before me.

Fast forward a year or two. I am now the District Ranger at Blackrock on the Bridger-Teton and my district office sits at the western foot of Togwotee Pass. Togwotee is a renowned snowmobiling mecca. People come from all over the country—but especially the Great Lake States where snowmobiling largely originated, to experience the deep powder of Togwotee Pass.

Lots of events take place on Togwotee:
Extreme snowmobiling videos;
Commercials, both print and filmed for all the sled manufacturers as well as clothing, boot, and accessories;
Avalanche training;
Military training;
and charity events like Pink Ribbon Riders for breast cancer.

One day I got a call about a charity snowmobiling event to raise money for the Chance Phelp’s Foundation. I was talking to his mother. Dubois sits right on the other side of the Pass.

I was thinking about all this and checked to see if Taking Chance was going to be shown any time soon. I found out that (I guess) because we get HBO, I can download and watch the movie anytime I want, no charge.

Afterwords, I found this. This is LTC Mike Strobl’s account of the trip to Dubois, WY with the remains of PFC Chance Phelps.

It’s this journal that led to the scrip for the movie. I thought you might want to read it.
A Marine’s Journey Home

I bought this DVD the same day that we repatriated eight British soldiers killed in Afghanistan.

I was doing quite well with the movie until the young sergeant, talking to Lt Col Strobl, mentioned that the soldier he was accompanying was his brother.

I had to turn it off at that point, and go somewhere else for a while.

tac

Thanks for taking the time to post this story.

If you can read the book or watch the movie without crying like a little girl you are not human.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
If you can read the book or watch the movie without crying like a little girl you are not human.

This. Most definitely.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
If you can read the book or watch the movie without crying like a little girl you are not human.

Amen. And I don't care who sees me crying.


PC

Me too Brother. Me too.

quote:

Originally posted by Ryanp225:
If you can read the book or watch the movie without crying like a little girl you are not human.

You might be thinking of We Were Soldiers, there isn’t a book “Taking Chance,” the screenplay came from LTC Strobl’s notes.

My God, that was difficult to read! Thank you, thank you, thank you for posting it.
Rod

Thanks for posting. It is a very hard read, but worth it!