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HBO Films visits McGuire

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Rebekah Phy
  • 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, N.J. --  HBO Films recently visited McGuire Air Force Base to film scenes for 'Taking Chance,' a made-for-TV movie based on true events of a fallen servicemember's final trip home.
Several base agencies and Team McGuire members assisted in the filming process, including many who had on-screen roles as "extras." 

"As a team, we were honored to be a part of this because it's about a Soldier coming home," said Tech. Sgt. Poindexter, NCO in charge of the McGuire Honor Guard, who (along with her team) participated in the movie. 

Scenes filmed at McGuire focused on the final journey of Marine Pfc. Chance Phelps and highlights the extraordinary process the military takes to honor fallen servicemembers. 

"This brought back a lot of memories for me," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Fitz-Patrick, 305th Air Mobility Wing head chaplain, who played the chaplain in the movie. "When I was in Iraq, we did this almost everyday. It brings back the real-world; it's almost exactly like the real thing." 

In addition, participants were honored and grateful for an opportunity to participate in 'Taking Chance.' 

"This was really a rare opportunity," said Staff Sgt. Kaion Smith, 305th Contracting Squadron. "I don't care how small the role was, just to be a part of this movie and the telling of this story was amazing." 

"The whole thing was a great experience, especially the story" said Staff Sgt. April Ashjian, 305th Medical Group, and Staff Sgt. Justin Ashjian, 305th Dental Squadron. "We're just a little piece of the big picture. We looked it up on the Internet and read the story of Pfc. Chance Phelps so that we could be more familiar with it." 

The movie documents the experiences and encounters of Marine Lt. Col. Mike Strobl's journey to Dubois, Wyo., Private Phelps' final destination. 

Private Phelps, an artillery cannoneer, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 11th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division in Iraq. In April 2006, Private Phelps' convoy found itself under intense fire and he continued to man his post until he received a fatal wound. 

Colonel Strobl, whom had never escorted a fallen servicemember on their final journey home, volunteered to escort Private Phelps to Wyoming. As he began his mission, he did not realize what impact 'Chance' would have on his own life. 

"'Taking Chance' deals with a serious and sensitive topic for many individuals associated with the military," said Angel Lopez, 305th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs. "One of the great themes throughout the movie is that a servicemember's death isn't just experienced by his family, but by an entire nation."