RT @SamuelB_Jones It's almost gametime again! #MilitaryAppreciat http://t.co/bxrQEWciaW -via http://t.co/pAEXD3ZLat pic.twitter.com/GyIMl4swNg— Scooter Waller (@Scooter_247) September 12, 2014
So with this weekend being White Out/Military Appreciation Game, I thought I would share this awesome information on the VT Field and
I would also like to share an article that is near and dear to my heart. I saw it for the first time this past week so here we go.
Last week while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together.
After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me), and asked if he was heading home.
No, he responded.
Heading out I asked?
No. I'm escorting a soldier home.
Silly me I said Going to pick him up?
No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq, I'm taking him home to his family.
The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch to the gut, like a punch from Dadi. It was an honor for him. ! He told me that, although he didn't know the soldier, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days.
I turned back to him, extended my hand, and said, Thank you. Thank you for doing what you do so my family, HokieNation and I can do what we do.
Upon landing in Chicago the pilot stopped short of the gate and made the following announcement over the intercom.
"Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant (name removed to honor) of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant (name removed to honor) to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."
Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American. I didn't think I could get bigger chills than I do for BillDozer's videos but this time it was instant from head to toe.
So here's a public Thank You to our military Men and Women for what you do so we can live the way we do.
Red Fridays.
Thanks from HokieNation!!
Comments
Incredible. Thanks for sharing.
ohh IMO Maroon is another shade of red so that definitely counts!!!
I love it!! Almost wouldn't mind if it was permanent. Thanks for sharing your
story. Very humbling.
I like it. Wouldn't mind if we did Red White & Blue in the endzones as well.
And that's a great story, thanks for sharing!
Great story - thanks for sharing!
I've seen #Sources say that the stripes will be filled with Red, what you see here is not finished.
idk about that its already is outlined in Maroon.. Where would they put the red?? in the wave effect of the flag?
Looking at that looks sick, idk how it would look with red but we shall see I guess.
When did Damian design it?
I mean, I don't want to take anything away from it, but it looks a lot like this desktop wallpaper that was offered by hokiesports back in 2002 when I was a freshman at Tech.
Given that Damian has been working for Hokiesports since 2000 and is the webmaster, I would say that he designed that wallpaper and the helmets and the design on the field. My guess is he gave the groundscrew this image and they freehanded it onto the field.
OK, cool. I always liked this look, and I'm glad we're finally using it on the field. Good to know the designer is finally coming to light.
Only nitpick I would say about this look... need the gapped outline like our normal logo has. Just doesn't look right on the field or on the helmets without it
My guess is that they might use a stencil for the VT so that the lines are perfect and straight. The gapped outline would be more difficult for the groundscrew to paint.
Maybe we can get Damien on board with suggesting the grounds crew making the 32 yard hash-lines black or maroon- it was mentioned a few months ago on TK- to honor the victims of April 16th.
Toss it out to him on Twitter. He is very personable and will respond to most legitimate tweets.
We'd have to get NCAA approval for it, likely. The official rules state that all yard markings and dimension lines be white.
Yea, i figured this would come into play. Wonder what would be allowed without NCAA approval...
I don't think the NCAA would deny this request (if we made it)...imagine the bad press!
Besides we don't have to change the marking. We could just outline it in maroon & orange or put a special (painted) marker on the 32-yd line.
I'm sure the NCAA would approve something for us. My comment was more to the general point that this is not a simple in-house decision. Hell, if the let Eastern Washington have that godawful bright red turf...
Do it for the Spring Game. It's right around that time for the anniversary and the NCAA isn't gonna get pissed at us for breaking rules during a scrimmage.
Good call!
Just posting the source of the info. I don't know the details. But I would say that there are only so many unique ways that you can put a flag behind a logo. And if he did just use that logo as a start, then I don't have any issue with it. The helmets look good.
That looks very good.
Let's give a shout out to the grounds crew.
Good job guys.
I LOVE Whit!!!
It should be noted that all uniforms for this season were ordered before Whit took over. It may have been his idea to paint the midfield logo, but give Weaver some credit too.
When I was waiting my flight out of BWI to (oddly enough) Chicago as well earlier this summer I noticed everyone had stood and started clapping. When I turned around I realized that there were about 30 Vietnam Veterans being wheelchaired (only 2 or 3 could walk) through the terminal. Everyone in the terminal was standing and applauding them. It was a really cool moment, especially when you think about what those men had to go through when they got back from Vietnam.
Great look for the field!! Being a university that is built around military values is something that makes me proud and I am glad we are able to pay tribute to that.
Amazing story as well. Thanks for sharing.
Nice story. If you have couple hours of extra time, watch the movie "Taking Chance".
Definitely...they do a nice job in that movie depicting the duties of the escorts and the honor associated with such duty. None of the liberal spin that you would expect from HBO.
Thanks.
Darn allergies.....
Most of us never really know or understand the level of commitment that these young men in uniform exhibit every day. Some, like the man this soldier was escorting home, give it all. Thanks to all who serve or have served. You make this the greatest country on the face of the earth.
Lost a good friend four years ago who I played HS ball with after his first tour to Afghanistan. With the support of the community and former teammates and families, we were able to have the Honor Guard come and dedicate the field on which we played in his honor. One of the most powerful ceremonies I have ever been a part of. God Bless all of our current and former military members.
that story is incredible thank you for sharing. plus the field looks pretty badass
Great story and thanks for sharing with everyone!
Man i should look into bidding on a helmet for my desk, that would look awesome.
you better be ready to cough up $500+ dollars.. by the sounds of it everyone wants one and bidding will be nuts
Hmmm, maybe i'll google for a discount code to enter in.... (sarcastica)
All white, as everyone expected. Looks like standard uniforms to go with the special helmets.
Good, keep it simple, I like it. The helmet is enough.
Finished product:
Nice job by our grounds crew.
Two of the greatest things in the world, America and Hokie football!
Awesome!
Anyone know if there is a spot outside the stadium where you can see/photograph the field?
No ticket. :(
Should I be ashamed I had tears on my cheeks after reading this? Hell no!