Tonight was the first home game of the season. It was a loss (again, they lost their first game last Friday), but that’s not too unusual for our football team. What I loved about the evening, though, was the “small-town, middle-America” feel of it all!
Both my girls are in marching band and as is tradition, the band did their cadences into the stadium. Then the city youth football and cheerleader teams came in along with the high school cheerleaders. While they stood waiting, an Army color guard brought in the flag. A standing ovation was given when it was also announced that one member of the color guard was an alumni who had completed two tours in Iraq and was now home. The national anthem was sung by a young lady, also serving in the Army. And most people took off their hats and many had their hands over their hearts. The kids on the field all stood at attention. It was great and really made my heart swell with pride!
Several times during the game, the announcer said that the Army was one of the supporters of tonight’s game and offered the best of luck to both the teams. They also announced a spaghetti dinner fundraiser that would be taking place at our local VFW hall in honor of all our armed service members past and present and the money raised will go to the Cpl Joseph A. Tomci Memorial Fund through Huntington National Bank. This fund is to aid the families of fallen soldiers.
It was a great evening despite the loss. The kids all had a great time. As for me, I was just so happy to live in a place where patriotism and respect for the military still means something.
That sounds so great! My daughter was in Marching Band in high school. Unfortunately the school and band leader weren’t nearly as patriotic.
Aren’t band reviews fun? especially the getting to the school at 5 am part – lol!
Yes, we really like the band shows! They’ve already had one and there are three more to go. This year’s theme is swing and jazz! Last night’s selections at the game were Alexander’s Ragtime Band, A Nightengale Sang in Berkley Square (not their favorite…too slow) and Birdland.
The band directors are patriotic and they have a Community Concert. Here’s what they performed this last spring: Community Concert.
You’re lucky to live in such a place, Anna.
I know it, Dave. I’ve had people ask me why I stay in Ohio after living in California and Washington State and this is a big reason why I would rather stay here!
[...] At A Rose By Any Other Name, Anna does a lovely, emotive post to remind us that, with schools back in session, all over America high school football is back. [...]
Thanks for the link and write-up, Book! It is always appreciated!
What is it about the military that gets some people so riled up? It’s as if they armed services were the enemy instead of the people securing our rights to complain about them being ‘baby-killers.’ Do they not see the hypocrisy in their thinking?
Nope, they don’t Lazaro. Did you hear about the National Guardsman who was beaten by four jerks? They were yellin “babykiller” at him!
That’s why I love living here. The military is still allowed on campus, the VFW hall is open almost every evening for one event or another and people don’t hesitate to thank the military for their service!
I’m a die hard FOOTBALL MOM! I am so happy the season is back, we WON our first game. My son is a senior this year and a two way starter.
I was a band geek in high school, and I also love the band shows at half time.
I’m busy each game this season taking film of my Right Guard / Linebacker senior son for college demos… and busy at boosters and BB-Q’s. DAMN I’M GONNA MISS THIS next year when I have “empty nest syndrome”
Oh, Malinda, I’m in a similar situation, but it’s the senior who is a band geek! My freshman is a band geek, too, so I won’t have an empty nest just yet! Our current freshman team is 2-0 and our varsity team is 0-2. We hope the freshman will keep up the great work when they get onto the varsity team in the coming years! When you’re at the bottom, the only way to go is up!
God bless the Heartland — Flyover Country, USA!
Andrea, I hope we can just keep it this way. When we moved here in ‘99, the city was in a fight with the infamous ACLU about a bible being on the city seal. As in all cases with limited financed cities, the ACLU won. And though Christmas break is now winter break and Ramadan has been added to the calendar, they still perform Christmas carols, patriotic music, say the pledge and have moments of silence and even prayers in public schools. So for the time being, we still have our “small town” life.