Taking Chance

Last night, after spending two hours picking up trash on Adopt a Highway, I sat down to watch a movie starring Kevin Bacon called "Taking Chance."

My brother, who just returned from Iraq for the third time, told me about the movie and encouraged me to watch it. I didn't know if I had the strength to because it's a true story chronicling a Lt. Colonel who escorts the body of 19 year old PFC Chance Phelps across the country to his final resting place in Wyoming. This hits at my personal heartstrings as my own son, a 19 year old PFC, is currently serving our great country in Afghanistan for the next year.

I did fairly well until the very end-- and then I sobbed. Sobbed for the family who lost their only son. Sobbed because of this one particular line in the movie "If more men were like Chance, we wouldn't need a Marine Corps." As a mother who's raised a Marine, I cannot stress enough how much we desire that statement to be a true fact. It's a struggle to get through each day knowing your son is in harm's way.

I certainly don't want this post to be depressing, nor is it political, but rather I'm encouraging you to watch this movie and bear witness to this young man's death so that we never forget those who've fallen in the name of freedom.

It's such a small thing, sitting at the breakfast table nourishing yourself with a morning meal. Yet, because you're able to do that task in the solitude of your own home, in peace, is why I believe our young men and women who serve should be remembered each day.

I found this video on You Tube with the actual Lt. Colonel speaking about this story, so you might want to take a peek. It's a tear jerker for sure.

Also, here's an update from Marine Parents who are raising money for postage to send care packages to our troops overseas. If you can spare a $1 and a postage stamp, please contribute.

Thus far YOUR generosity and support has provided the funds to ship 680 care packages overseas - of which, 500 were sent on June 6!

We have 1320 packages to go and we need your help raising the remaining $13,000 to get these packages to our Marines in combat zones.

We're asking each of you to put a one dollar bill, or a five or ten dollar bill if you can spare it, in an envelope and mail it to:

MarineParents.com, Inc.
Attn: Care Package Campaign
PO Box 1115
Columbia, MO 65205-1115

Thank you for your continued support and know that you do make a difference in the live of our Marines overseas!

To my son Levi, please stay safe!

Semper Fi.

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