For Families of the Fallen, a Patch of Peace

HBO make for TV movie, "Taking Chance," starring Kevin Bacon will be screened
 Nov. 10 as a fundraiser for a national garden at Dover AFB.

By CAROL ROBIDOUX
Union Leader Correspondent
WINDHAM -- There is little comfort for families of fallen soldiers. But as they await the return of their loved ones to American soil at Dover , Del., Air Force Base, there will soon be a garden — thanks, in part, to the efforts of the Windham Garden Club.
The Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs has launched a project to construct a garden at the Center for Families of the Fallen, which opened in January at the Dover base. The base is where all service men and women killed in action are met by their families and prepared for burial.
Their project has been embraced by the National Garden Club, to which the Windham chapter and the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs also belong.
HBO is contributing to Windham’s efforts by sending a fundraising copy of the made-for-HBO film, “Taking Chance,” starring Kevin Bacon, which tells the true story of U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Michael Strobl, who volunteered to escort the body of Chance Phelps home to Wyoming after he was killed during the Gulf War. 
The movie, which runs 78 minutes, will be screened at Windham High School auditorium. Reservations are required. 
The program will begin at 7 p.m. with a salute to area Gold Star Mothers who will be escorted to the screening by members of Windham Boy Scout Troop 266. Salem High School’s Jr. ROTC will present the colors, and poetry will be read by several Windham High School students. 
“It’s a totally apolitical film — it transcends both pro and anti-war politics, and is simply a wonderful, moving film,” said Windham Garden Club member Linda German. The memorial garden was the brainchild of Alice Witterholt of Wilmington, Del., a member of the Garden Gate Garden Club and president of the Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs in response to the stark exterior of the Center for the Families of the Fallen, which faces a parking lot. 
The garden will cost an estimated $125,000-$150,000 and should be completed in the spring. 
Admission for the Nov. 10 Windham Garden Club fundraiser is free, although a freewill offering is encouraged. Donations are tax deductible and can be made out to New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, PO Box 881, Windham, NH 03087. 
For more information, contact Bea Heinze at 893-7785 or e-mail Diane at kianausmc@comcast.net.