Honor

“You don’t have to wear a patch on your arm to have honor.”  A Few Good Men

We had the opportunity to visit the new Suntrust Park early in the season and watch the Braves win their fifth in a row!  I’m keenly aware of all the inconvenience this stadium has caused in this area, but I have to say, that it is a beautiful place and very well done.

The lights underneath the decks are red, white, and blue, and the fireworks which are displayed at the beginning, end, and after home runs are patriotic as well.  People stood reverently and joined in singing the National Anthem, and I loved the feeling of celebrating America as well as a baseball team.

Although I could have ordered dinner from our table,  I chose to set out to find the BFB (Best Fan Burger) at one of the grills inside.  I highly recommend it as it comes with everything on it and curly fries for the bargain price of $18.00!!  As I was standing waiting for the BFB, I realized that the announcer had just introduced the group that was singing the National Anthem, and the pregame was beginning.

Everyone around me was talking, eating, laughing, but in the moment when the first words, “O say can you see..” were heard, people began to stop in their tracks and offer their respect to this country.  Men removed their caps and faced the screen, parents silenced their children and helped them place their hands over their hearts, the wait staff quit their duties and stood quietly and still, and people who where sitting at tables eating -swallowed and stood.  As I stood there, I couldn’t help feeling the sense of honor and pride that we as Americans enjoy.

I can only imagine the way a soldier must feel when their duty is done and they come home to the country for whose freedom they fought.  I pray that we always show them the love, respect, and gratitude they deserve.

“To those whose lives of courage prepared the way for me; whose works became my heritage, whose harvest I may reap; who left for me a legacy that I have yet to earn – to them in gratitude shall my heart be turned.” Sally DeFord