Brandon's Blog: One Uniform Brings Us All Together
11/18/2011 12:00:00 AM | Brandon
Nov. 18, 2011
University of Michigan director of athletics Dave Brandon will regularly offer his view on a variety of topics related to U-M and intercollegiate sports. All his posts, along with links to related content, will be available on his page, mgoblue.com/brandon, and he is also on Twitter at @DaveBrandonAD
There is something about Michigan's winged football helmet that makes us feel good. There is the great tradition and legacy of the maize and blue colors that creates a certain sense of unity. And yes, the fans that follow other schools and teams also see their colors, their helmets, their traditions, and feel the same sentiment. Sports can do that for all of us.
There is one uniform, however, that brings us all together. On Saturday (Nov. 19) at Michigan Stadium, the Michigan and Nebraska faithful will be able to stand as one on Military Appreciation Day as we celebrate the men and women of our armed services who represent the Red, White and Blue.
Giving back to the community makes people feel good. Celebrating our military is even better.
Football is a difficult, tough game; sacrificing for the team is important. Our armed services make football look easy by comparison. The sacrifices they and their families make provide us with the freedom and lifestyle we enjoy every day. It also gives us perspective.
Not only do these men and women put their lives on the line, in some cases they miss moments in their families' lives they will never get back: their baby's first words, the first day of school, the first school event or the first sporting event.
Military appreciation events do not replace those moments, but they do provide memories. The notoriety and the ovation give the honored not only a feeling of appreciation but in some cases it becomes a moment to remember the rest of their lives.
At a recent military appreciation event in Boston, an Army lieutenant had the opportunity to represent the military at a hockey game by dropping the puck during the ceremonial opening faceoff. He called the feeling "unreal" and "one of the most exciting moments of my life. I was shaking. My heart was coming out my chest." And this is from an Army lieutenant!
On Saturday, we will salute these men and women. Before the game, the U-M Athletic Department will host the 2011 Military Appreciation Tailgate at Oosterbaan Fieldhouse for U-M staff who have served in the Armed Forces.
At the game, a flyover of F-16s and an American flag card section of more than 62,000 fans stretching halfway across the stadium, from the 40-yard line to the 40-yard line through the south end zone will take place prior to the opening kickoff. We will also have the American flag on our football jerseys, and the Michigan Marching Band will have the flags of all branches of the armed services. We will do our best to show our appreciation. I know the 113,000-plus in attendance will respond with great passion and support of our servicemen and women.
For those in the military, I hope the ceremony is memorable. For the rest of us, it will be emotional. They give us the freedom to live in the best country in the world, the opportunity to play games on Saturday afternoons in the fall while they place their lives on the line for all of us.
Thank you to all the men and women in the armed services for all you do.
Go Blue.
• Military Appreciation Day
• Victors Club Tailgaters Show Their Military Appreciation
• A Soldier Gets His Wish
