I need to recognize Grasshopper No.5 in Minneapolis for a birthday that began with Oct. 21, 1977. It is a belated Happy Birthday. Her life is a mystery because she lives just far enough away that she can protect secrets. I hope there were clowns, balloons and candles.
The UW Badgers had their dream of a national football championship dashed Saturday night. A hail Mary pass and a bizarre series of events stopped the juggernaut. If the Badgers win all remaining games, they control their destiny to the Rose Bowl. It still has been a great season.
Grasshopper No.4 along with Dominic closed out the youth football season Saturday with a win. I don’t know if a championship was involved or not but it really doesn’t matter. It has been a great year.
The Packers are still rolling. A 7-0 record is spectacular but there are nine games to go. The last time they started with seven wins was 1962. They went on to win the NFL Championship and finished the regular season with a 13-1 record. The lone loss came on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit to a lousy Lion team. They entered the Thanksgiving game 10-0. If today’s team keeps winning, they will play on Thanksgiving Day’s game with, you guessed it, a 10-0 record. What are the odds?
A friend, Carl, that I exercise with is 86 years old and in failing health. He received an invitation to participate in a “honor flight” taking World War II veterans to Washington D.C. to visit the new memorial that is a tribute to their sacrifices. Carl didn’t want to go. Part of Carl’s reluctance was his failing health but he really didn’t feel worthy of the recognition. In the end, the friend who entered Carl’s name convinced him to go. He was ecstatic. It is a one day trip with visits to national monuments. The high-light for Carl was all the enthusiastic people greeting the flight in Washington. He said it was humbling.
I have talked to several people who have taken World War II honor flights. Everyone of the World War II vets feel they are undeserving of the personal recognition. They have respect for all the men and women who died and didn’t come back. They also feel they didn’t do anything special under the circumstances. If you were a young man (or woman) during World War II, you fought for the freedom that was so precious. Many veterans who take the honor flights, need to be convinced they are worthy or the special day. They were worthy. They are worthy. They will always be worthy.
Somebody flipped a switch this morning. It is cold and damp and destined to stay that way.
Love,
Dad