Prochein Amy

Working on another blogger’s site gave me the hankerin’ to change mine. I am not sure this one is doing it for me, so I don’t think it will last long.

07/27/2008

Meeting their heroes
Thomas Stepp, Texas Media Relations

As the 2008 season approaches, thoughts begin to turn to fall Saturdays, filled campus stadiums and heated college rivalries. However, recently three Longhorns used one of their remaining days before training camp for a reminder of how lucky they are be able to play the game of football and what others have sacrificed in order for them to do so.

Seniors Rashad Bobino, Roy Miller and Brian Orakpo traveled to Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio to visit soldiers who have been injured in combat, and what they took part in will last well past the time their football careers have ended.

“The emotional experience was phenomenal,” Bobino said. “To actually come and give back to people that are risking their lives for us so we can play the game that everybody sees us play. This is not a game. This is actual life.”

Being appreciative – of both their opportunities and those who provide them – it’s a message head coach Mack Brown delivers frequently to the team, but all three players acknowledged their visit opened their eyes to the message.

“We’re very fortunate,” Orakpo said. “We kind of take that for granted at times with complaining about practice, not wanting to go lift weights at a certain time. We kind of take that for granted because that’s just the simple game of football, something we love to do.

“It hits home very hard for me. You hear a lot of stories about what goes on, but you don’t visually see it. I had the first chance to visually see the injuries they had. I saw guys with legs taken off and arms not there. It was just an amazing site to see. You really don’t get to see that on a regular basis, but at the same time, the people were great. I had a great time. I learned so much from this experience and the camaraderie these soldiers have for one another.”

For Roy Miller, who orchestrated the trip, it was especially personal, as his father has served in the army for 19 years. Because of that, Miller has a long list of people in his life, both family and friends, who have been part of the military.

“Coming out here and seeing all of this, it’s really touching to me,” Miller said. “That could have easily been my father or a friend of mine or my uncle. It could be any of them. It’s hard to see, but it’s good to be out here, and I’m glad we came out here to show our support.

“It’s incredible to see guys that are so optimistic and full of life. That was something good for us to be around. Even through their injuries, they’re very happy.”

Never was that happiness more evident during the trip than when the three players came upon a game of dodgeball at the recreation center. Not only were they quickly invited to join the game, they were also quickly knocked out by the soldiers.

“We got the chance to run around with guys with one arm and one leg, guys in wheelchairs, and they’re still having fun,” Miller said. “Our injuries don’t even seem that big anymore. Me and (Brian) were talking about our injuries and realized these guys have such big hearts. We saw a guy in a wheelchair who got hit by a bomb and lost one of his legs, and he was the most optimistic person around. That inspires us. What we do is a game. We like to think about us going out to battle, but when you come out here and see the actual guys, it’s like my world really isn’t what it seems. It’s really a game, these guys are the real deal.”

Lt. Col. Kelly J. Sandifer and Sgt. Maj. Roger L. Heinze of the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood near Miller’s hometown of Killeen helped him coordinate the trip knowing the morale boost it would provide the soldiers. Many of them have routines they go through every day as they rehabilitate, something Sandifer says can often get mundane.

“I was talking with one of the medics here, and that’s why this dodgeball game is so unique, because it’s better than just going out and walking on a treadmill or doing whatever they do that you would think would be normal physical therapy,” Sandifer said. “This is physical therapy for them. For them to be able to play dodgeball or interact with a football player from UT, it’s a morale booster because it’s not something they get to do every day. Then they can watch these guys on TV once the season starts, and say, ‘Hey, I remember playing dodgeball with him.’ It’s a continuous morale booster for these guys and it helps them get better faster in their attitude and their motivation.”

“These wounded soldiers are down here in a controlled environment, they have no outreach to a lot of folks,” Heinze followed. “They’re bound to this facility, so it means the world for outside heroes of theirs, the football players, to come down here. (The soldiers) did their part on the battlefield, and we don’t want to forget about them. We appreciate (the players) coming down and taking the time to acknowledge their presence and acknowledge their sacrifices.”

Staff Sgt. Charles B. Temple of the 4th Infantry is a liaison to the injured troops and said many troops are assigned to the center if it is the closest to their home of record, which means many native Texans and many Longhorns fans, one of whom was another liaison, Sgt. 1st Class Mason C. Brown, and with him when the players arrived was Pfc. Perry Warren, a Dallas native.

Warren was in Iraq traveling in an M-RAP (mine resistant ambush protected vehicle) when it was hit by an IED (improvised explosive device). He was thrown from the vehicle and woke up, as he described, feeling like his leg was on fire. He passed out from the pain and woke up in a hospital in Germany. When he asked what happened, he was told both of his legs were broken, both of his feet were crushed, his left arm was broken and he had fractured his spinal cord in two places. Despite all of his injuries, the smile on his face at the sight of the players was evident as he was the first to greet them.

“It was awesome, like a dream come true,” Warren said. “My dad and I are big UT fans, we’ve got a lot of autographs and everything. I just love UT. It’s just me. It’s always nice to have somebody come and just show their respect, especially somebody as big as UT players. They’ve always been such idols to me. It’s always nice to have that.”

Ironically what was most humbling for the players was for someone like Warren to use a word to use a work like ‘idol’ to describe them. For them, the admiration is fully pointed back toward Warren and his fellow soldiers.

“For them to actually be excited to see us, it’s amazing,” Bobino said. “I was excited to see them, because they’re doing something for me, and I don’t even know them.

“Without these guys, there is no game of football. There’s no NCAA football, there’s no NFL, there’s no MLB or college baseball. There are no sports unless these guys protect our country. They’re the biggest thing we’ve got going for us right now. In order for us to play this game, we need them. We need to make them feel appreciated, because we’re not the ones out there fighting for our freedom, they are. We need to show them as much love as we can.”

Photos here.

Hubby sent the link below, then said…..

“There’s a lot going on with a hat like that.”

My parents has been out of town the last week or so and we have missed seeing them on Sundays and sometimes during the week. I am mamasick (and daddysick) and glad they are both home!!!

Last weekend we took a trip to Abilene to visit with a friend and to visit a few of the sites he recommended.

Saturday started with a walk about downtown Abilene to a farmer’s market. To bad we did not have a place to keep their wares.

We were the first visitors of the day at Frontier Texas! Very nice since we had the place to ourself until the very end. I did not read up on the site to get details and I was expecting some kind of cheesy ride/museum type place. But I was pleasantly surprised. They were able to make the past come alive with multimedia. They picked 8 people from 1780 – 1880 and let them tell us their stories. As you walked through the areas, motion sensitive displays started with these “characters” telling about what it was like. They has other displays requiring you to push buttons or interact to learn. At the very end, there was a 20 minute film in a round room. You sat on swivel stools and ended up turning in all directions to take it all in. There is a virtual tour on their website, but it is just not the same as being there.

Abilene as also having “Downtown Dayz”, with local businesses offering samples, prizes, and a open door to visit. We decided to stop at The Fire Escape since they were offering grilling samples and lemonaide. We purchased a leg and wing rack and tasted some legs seasoned with Bacon Salt. YUMMO!

For lunch we headed to Cypress Street Station and we were not disappointed.

I had Spinach Artichoke Caesar Salad with fried artichoke and Parmesan cheese (half order) with a cup of House Tortilla Soup. Oldest had Asparagus Carbonara with tomatoes, onions, garlic & asparagus over linguini and ate every bite. Hubby and Youngest shared the following:
Sweet & Spicy Pork Tenderloin Tip Wrap, with red onion, red peppers & lettuce in a sun-dried tomato tortilla
Club Wrap with turkey, ham, bacon, tomatoes & cheddar cheese in sun-dried tomato tortilla

All of it was good and I am glad we did not read up about it online since there were a few bad reviews. I will be adding my positive one.

More to come!

….now it is Bad Dancing Matt.

To see the scenery better, try this link, then click on “watch in high quality”.

More research:
Looks like he is sponsored by Stride Gum, which is not into false advertising. I joke with my girls and Hubby that Stride gum lasts longer than you. My jaw is tired before the gum looses flavor. And their tag line? The Rediculously Long Lasting Gum. Kudos to Stride and for supporting Matt. Matt’s main site is here.

From Hubby’s new 3G iPhone. Hard to type with my nails since it uses the electrostatic in your skin. Still a cool toy that I will write more on later.

Via instant messenger the other day:

Donna says:
i sure do love you.

Funny how two little words change the impact.