In April, 2004, casualties mount in Iraq. At Quantico, choices focus on increasing troop strength or only replacing casualties. Lt. Col. Mike Strobl crunches numbers. Stung by his superior's rejection of his recommendation because he lacks recent combat experience, Strobl volunteers for escort duty, accompanying the remains Pfc. Chance Phelps, killed at 19. From Dover to Philadelphia by hearse, from there to Minneapolis and on to Billings by plane, and then by car to Phelps' Wyoming home - person after person pays respects. Kind words, small gifts, and gratitude are given Strobl to deliver to the family on this soul-searching journey. What are his own discoveries?

Based on the journal of LtCol Michael R. Strobl, USMC (ret.)

Korean War Vet:
You are his witness now. Without a witness, they just disappear.

Continuity: During the scene on the nighttime tarmac where the two escorts meet the camera cuts back and forth between the marine and the soldier. In one of the cuts the Air Assault badge on the sergeants left breast pocket flap jumps from centered (which is correct) to right justified (which is not). When the camera cuts back to him it is realigned.