It's a cold, windy New Year's Day in surprisingly sunny Hartford, Connecticut. With not much to do, me, the laptop, a good book (The Last Campaign: Robert Kennedy and 82 Days that Inspired America) and the 2008 purchase: 42-HDTV are relaxing. I actually had the earplugs in, listening to some Gordon Lightfoot and writing a letter for work when I glanced up and noticed the NHL Winter Classic is on...a couple of notes:
1. Outdoor hockey at Wrigley Field looks pretty cool;
2. I'm not a big fan of NHL Hockey - I think it has a place in American sports, I just think it's marketed poorly and it doesn't focus on it's strengths but tries to be all things to all people
3. My first job out of college was with the Columbus Blue Jackets, a real life NHL team, but even without that, I'm well aware that the Detroit Red Wings vs. the Chicago Blackhawks is a good rivalry and a good game to watch...anyways, more entertaining than Michigan State and Georgia at Bowl Game to be named later.
However, what I saw a minute ago really raised my ire, caused me to take out my ear phones, turn up the television and pay close attention: the singing of the National Anthem and the crowds reaction.
As some gentleman I've never seen before, or heard before, began singing (quite nicely I might add - very operatic) I noticed the crowd was clapping, singing, dancing and cheering the entire time. Waving the flag and generally celebrating the National Anthem --- almost to a Man. It was an absolutely tremendous sight, and then it dawned on me...yes!! Celebrate the National Anthem! Do you think Francis Scott Key was stoic while watching the "bombs...in air"? Hell no, he was happy as shit that his ass wasn't blowing up too - and - you can be damn sure when it was all said and done and he penned the now famous poem, that he was celebrating quite significantly, not being stoic.
It's possible to be reflective and loudly emotional at the same time. I will admit, watching the crowd react that way gave me chills and caused my eyes to well-up. What a tremendous thought -- celebrate with your whole being for the 2 1/2 minutes that song plays out of the pride and tremendous joy of being an American, or being in America, who, in spite of all of her frailty, is still the greatest country on earth.
Happy New Year
Thursday, January 1, 2009
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