Taking Chance (2009) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A Marine escorting a fallen comrade's remains reconsiders the honor and meaning of serving grieving families.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

Choosing the Escort Duty

Strobl questions the contrast between funeral assignments and the combat service he once sought. He volunteers to accompany Phelps's remains despite the usual protocol.

Key Events

• Strobl Reflects on His Duties — Strobl reflects on funeral duties and his earlier ambition to serve in active combat. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified
• A Fallen Marine Needs Escort — Strobl decides to escort the remains of a fallen Marine despite the assignment normally going to an NCO. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified
• Dover Air Force Base — The journey with Phelps's remains begins at Dover Air Force Base. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Dover Air Force Base
• The Escort Journey Begins — Strobl accompanies the fallen Marine's remains toward Wyoming. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: En route from Dover Air Force Base
• Phelps's Combat Death Recalled — The account recalls that Phelps was fatally wounded by gunfire near Baghdad on April 9, 2004. Location: Near Baghdad

The Journey to Wyoming

Strobl accompanies Phelps's remains from Dover Air Force Base to Dubois, Wyoming. The account recalls Phelps's fatal wounding near Baghdad.

Key Events

• Phelps's Combat Death Recalled — The account recalls that Phelps was fatally wounded by gunfire near Baghdad on April 9, 2004. Location: Near Baghdad
• Arrival in Dubois — Strobl accompanies the remains to Dubois, Wyoming. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Dubois, Wyoming

Honoring a Fallen Marine

Strobl attends Phelps's funeral and memorial service. He learns that Phelps was an exceptional Marine who was well-liked by his fellow Marines.

Key Events

• The Funeral — Strobl attends Phelps's funeral. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Dubois, Wyoming
• The Memorial Service — Strobl also attends Phelps's memorial service. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Dubois, Wyoming
• Phelps's Reputation Emerges — Strobl learns that Phelps was an exceptional Marine and well-liked by fellow Marines. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified

A Veteran's Reframing

At a local Veterans club, Strobl admits that he envies Phelps's combat experience. The ranking veteran tells him that serving grieving families is a high honor.

Key Events

• Local Veterans Club — After the services, Strobl visits a local Veterans club and has drinks. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Local Veterans club
• Strobl Confesses His Envy — Strobl tells the ranking veteran that he envies Phelps's active-duty combat experience. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Local Veterans club
• The Veteran Challenges Strobl — The ranking veteran urges Strobl to reconsider and calls service to grieving families a high honor. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Local Veterans club
• Strobl Reconsiders His Service — Strobl reflects on the veteran's words and the meaning of his assignment. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified

Duty and Reflection

Strobl reflects on the veteran's words and fulfills his responsibility to handle the fallen Marine's remains. He returns home and later writes about the experience.

Key Events

• Strobl Reconsiders His Service — Strobl reflects on the veteran's words and the meaning of his assignment. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified
• The Final Duty Is Fulfilled — Strobl completes his duty of handling the last remains of a fallen Marine. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified
• Strobl Returns Home — After completing the assignment, Strobl returns home to his wife and little daughters. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Home
• The Experience Is Written — Strobl writes about the experience, his emotions, and the people he met. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Not specified
• Essay Published Online — The essay is published on Blackfive on April 23, 2004, and shared widely online. Characters: LtCol Mike Strobl Location: Blackfive blog

Story Breakdown

• Strobl's Duty — Strobl reflects on his military responsibilities and chooses to escort Phelps's remains.
  • Combat Ambition — Strobl contrasts funeral assignments with the active-duty combat service he once sought.
  • Voluntary Escort — He accepts the assignment even though protocol would normally assign it to an NCO.
• Phelps's Loss — The story centers on a Marine killed near Baghdad and the journey of his remains.
  • Fatal Wounding — Phelps was fatally wounded by gunfire near Baghdad on April 9, 2004.
  • Fallen Marine — The account identifies Phelps as a Marine posthumously promoted to Lance Corporal.
• The Escort Journey — Strobl accompanies Phelps's remains from Dover Air Force Base to Dubois, Wyoming.
  • Leaving Dover — The escort begins at Dover Air Force Base.
  • Reaching Wyoming — Strobl brings the remains to Dubois, Wyoming.
• Public Remembrance — Strobl attends services and learns how fellow Marines regarded Phelps.
  • Funeral Service — Strobl attends Phelps's funeral.
  • Memorial Service — Strobl also attends Phelps's memorial service.
• Phelps's Reputation — The services and accounts of others reveal Phelps's standing among fellow Marines.
  • Exceptional Marine — Strobl discovers that Phelps was regarded as an exceptional Marine.
  • Well Liked — Phelps was well-liked by his fellow Marines.
• Veteran's Counsel — A conversation at a Veterans club challenges Strobl's view of his assignment.
  • Combat Envy — Strobl confides that he envies the active-duty combat experience Phelps had.
  • Honor of Service — The ranking veteran calls service to grieving families a high honor.
• Duty Reconsidered — Strobl reflects on the veteran's words and completes his responsibility to the fallen Marine.
  • Final Responsibility — Strobl fulfills his duty of handling the last remains of a fallen Marine.
  • Return Home — He returns home to his wife and little daughters.
• The Written Account — Strobl records the experience and his response to it for a wider audience.
  • Writing the Essay — He writes about the experience, the emotions he felt, and the people he met.
  • Online Publication — The essay appears on Blackfive on April 23, 2004, and is widely shared online.

Directed by

Ross Katz

Key Cast

• Kevin Bacon — LtCol Mike Strobl
• Tom Aldredge — Charlie Fitts
• Nicholas Art — Nate Strobl
• Blanche Baker — Chris Phelps
• Guy Boyd — Gary Hargrove