Comments on: Escort Duty–Taking Chance

By: Bluestill

Bluestill — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 14:49:14 +0000

I served in the Gulf & Somalia, but I never watch these sort of movies and for reason. I found out that it takes very little time in the zone to need more than a lifetime to put your life back on track. I recall a young soldier on escort duty coming through Kansas City International Airport being brought to me by TSA because he wanted to have permission to be present as the casket was being loaded in the aircraft on the tarmac. My day was in total chaos and the last thing I needed on my desk was another incident of ANY kind. One look up at this young man stringy looking man, and I knew what was going through his head. I immediately thanked the TSA supervisor for bringing him to my attention, grabbed my suit jacket, and told him to follow me. (Just those words, brought back flashbacks of days spent in Fort Benning, Ga.). I knew that if I didn’t do my duty this young man was going to be arrested because he was determined to get out on that tarmac and nothing was going to stop him from trying. As we rode down the elevators and walked down the long hallways out to the exit doors I could hear his heart pounding. I broke the silence by asking him about his hometown, and how long he had served. Assured that he was going to get his wish, he smiled as tears rolled down his face and answered my questions, always ending with “sir”. I knew the military had done an excellent job (on the both of us). I had served my country, and used my GI Bill to put my in the right place to be serving my country yet again for this young soldier. It was the first time I had used the authorization of my yellow/green SIDA badge to go out to a plane on the tarmac. And it was for a very good reason. Before walking through the final doors I paused with that young soldier, called the inbound airport, spoke with the GM of that airport and explained the situation, and got a point of contact for him so that this soldier could do the job he was sent out to do without incident; escort his buddy’s casket home to his family.

By: Don Sing

Don Sing — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:55:23 +0000

I just want to thank you and all the others that have served.

THANK YOU.

By: William Ressegue

William Ressegue — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:11:22 +0000

I have not had the honor to have served in the Military. I have read countless books, watched dozens of documentaries and movies and spoken with veterans and a D-Day survivor. This of course is not a substitute for being in the Military or even close to being in combat. I must say that no story has ever touched me as much as this movie did. I’ve always know that being a veteran was special now I know why. Thanks to all Veterans and all who gave all.

By: DantePasquale

DantePasquale — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 18:24:39 +0000

I was hesitant to watch this movie, but my wife highly recommended seeing it and she has excellent taste in movies. I never served in the military but spent the early part of my career working with Air Force Space Command at Warner-Robins and Goodfellow AFB’s and also spent some time with Lockheed-Georgia working on C-5 avionics. So many early memories of my military friends and their families. Man, this was a powerful movie. Excellent acting, cinematography, music score and a fantastic story to tell. It’s moving for all of us, even those that don’t have close ties to the military. But, be prepared for some serious emotions to come through.

By: Lt Col James Lake, USAF (Ret)

Lt Col James Lake, USAF (Ret) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:41:44 +0000

Well said, Sergeant. I find that, as fewer people serve in the military, our society forgets the real meaning of the sacrifice for the country. I had never heard of \Taking Chance\, but I will certainly rent it this weekend. Thank you for your service to the nation.