Taking Chance Page #4

You should know that

Chance has touched

many people.

There's one more thing

that I'd like you to have.

A flight attendant in Philadelphia

handed this to me, and...

it seemed like it was

very special to her. I was...

going to keep it as

a reminder of the trip,

but then I realized that...

she wasn't giving it to me.

She was giving it to you.

''April 9th, 2004...

To the family of PFC Chance Phelps.

Dear Mr. And Mrs. Phelps,

I'm sure by now you have

learned of Chance's death.

I don't have the words to tell you

how sorry I am for your loss.

Chance meant the world to me

and to all of us here

in the second platoon.

I know parents aren't supposed

to have favorites, but...

trust me, platoon commanders do.

Chance was a unique character.

Where most marines would

put in shows of false bravado,

Chance would quietly attend

to his business,

and he led to get people

to underestimate him.

His quick smile and friendly manner

were always disarming and warming,

but there was no mistaking.

He was as fierce in battle

as he was gentle in friendship.''

Please be seated.

We are here to honor the life

of Private First Class

Chance Russell Phelps.

''... please know

that he died a hero,

but more importantly,

he lived a hero.

It's ironic,

but I am certain that if the world

had more men like Chance Phelps

there wouldn't be a need

for a marine corps.''

Fire.

Ready,

aim,

fire.

From the president of the US

and commandant of the marine corps

and a grateful nation,

please accept this flag

as a token of your son's faithful

service to his country. Semper Fidelis.

From the president of the US,

the commandant of the marine corps

and a grateful nation,

please accept this flag

for your son's honorable

and faithful service to his country.

Semper Fidelis.

Thank you.

Put your cell phones

in the tray, please.

Can I ask you to step up?

Remove your shoes.

Chance Phelps was

wearing his St. Christopher medal

when he was killed on good friday.

Eight days later,

I handed the medallion

to his mother.

I watched them carry him

the final 15 yards.

I felt that...

as long as he was still moving,

he was somehow still alive.

When they put him down in his grave,

he'd stopped moving.

I didn't know Chance Phelps

before he died.

But today...

I miss him.

Come here. Group hug.

How you guys doing?

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