April 21, 2013
I have been going to the Oregon Duck spring game for a few years now. It is
a fast paced scrimmage game that gives you a jolt of the game in between
seasons. But, I have enjoyed the post game just as much or better.
They do a tribute to the military. The military lines up the field on one
side while the team is on the other. The two meet in the middle of the
field. The military gives the player his service coin while the player
gives the military his jersey.
After last year, I got this idea that it would be awesome if they used
veterans. I emailed the school and they emailed back saying that the
suggestion should be given at a later date when the game is being
planned. So, after the season ended, I sent yet another email. I
was given the email address of the football program for Oregon so I began
sending them emails. I highlighted the fact that we had many WW2 vets and
that we were losing them as time moved on. I don't know how many emails
that I had sent but I was trying to be consistent.
I was taking a nap in the afternoon early February when I was awoken by a phone
call. I answered and a man told me his name, Jeff Hawkins and said he was
from Oregon football. I was groggy and thought he was trying to sell me
season tickets or something and was probably a bit short with him.
"No", he said, "This is Jeff Hawkins from the Oregon
Ducks.". I realized quickly that this was my answer to the emails.
The cobwebs were still a bit in my head but I listened as he told me that I had
gotten his attention with my emails and it hit home with him as his father was
WW2 and he was Vietnam era. He went on to tell me that he could not do
what I had wanted but would be willing to do something else to honor the
guys. "What if we open up one of our practices to them. And
then do a sort of meet and greet afterwards. We will video the event and
put it up on the big screen at the spring game thus honoring them
there.". I knew that they would love this idea but asked him if he
would allow me to bring it to them in our next meeting and he said sure.
I brought it up with overwhelming response. A dozen or so hands went up
for WW2 guys and many more for others. So, I called Jeff back and said
that we would love to come over. I told him that we have quite a few guys
in our organization. Many are WW2 but most are later. Jeff said,
"Hold on, Lyle, this is only open to the WW2 guys. Those are the
ones that you presented to me. I can't open this up to all or I would
have a huge can of worms with other veteran organizations wanting in.".
What he said made lots of sense and I immediately apologized for the
misunderstanding and assured him that they would just be that era.
"But, these guys are in their 90's and we will have to have drivers.
The drivers will ask so will they be allowed to come in also?".
"I can't answer that.", came the reply.
So, I went to work apologizing to the guys in the group who had their hopes
dashed and asking for drivers who knew that they would probably not be going
in. I had 4 from the Bend group and Rob from Lapine. I promoted the
idea in the Redmond and Prineville group but got no response. So, our
group seemed to be the ones that were going. 15 in all signed up. 5
drivers, 3 to a car, perfect numbers. I asked the Ducks if we could send
in a photographer and they said sure so we knew Judy would be going in at
least.
I looked up online and realized that Jeff Hawkins was the Director of
Football. Once we agreed upon the foundation of the visit, he passed me
on to his assistant, Kyle Wiest. Kyle and I emailed back and forth
various information. And as it came closer, I emailed him a list of
people coming and who they were.
The day before the event, he sent me his cell phone number and we were
set. The next day, the guys were going to meet the Oregon Ducks.
I struggle with PTSD. I am fine when I am in my normal element and
usually good when I am within a days drive of home but it usually hits in the
dark of night and often in the early morning hours. I awoke that morning
in a panic. Not a large one but big enough to mess with my mind. I
got up and attempted to distract my self by reading a book and going on
line. The anxiety came in waves but thankfully the waves were not huge
and I put on some music and calmed a bit as I listened and relaxed to the beat
and words. A shower helped also and when I got out, Judy was there
getting ready also. I hugged her and she could tell what was going
on. She knows these things after living with it also. She asked me
if I was going to be ok. I said that I thought I would be. I told her
that I was putting a couple of guys in my car who could drive if need be and
that I could always give the keys to Trinity who was going along also.
I went down and ate breakfast with Trin and Judy. Trinity could tell that
I was struggling. I told her that I was fine but could only eat bites of
my breakfast. I shoved it away and jumped in my car to pick up Bob
Maxwell. I gave Trin my list of guys and told her to call the ones that
were not there. Upon my return, I found all of the guys waiting for us.
I went to all of them and thanked them personally for being there. I
wanted this day to be a good one for them. I wanted them to be
honored. The anxiety was still trying to hold on to my mind, however, and
I struggled mightily with the organization even though we had already set up
who was going where. One glitch in that set up threw me for a loop.
It was evident that I was not doing well with it.
We all got in our cars and I led them out of town. I had Frank, Jack, and
Bob in my car with me. Frank sat up front and we talked as we left
town. He asked me if I was ok and I shared with him just a bit of my
struggle. He said, "My word, Lyle, don't try to do everything. We can
help. Would you like me to drive for a bit?". I told him no
and that I knew I would be ok shortly.
Our conversation as we drove down the road did the trick and before I knew it,
my mind had relaxed and I knew that I was going to be ok with the day...no
matter what happened. This is how it usually goes.
We stopped at Belknap springs for a head call. I went in to the lodge and
asked them for permission, telling them that I had 14 WW2 guys aboard.
They were happy to oblige and seemed honored to have us in their
presence. One of them even took pictures with a couple of the guys.
I called Kyle when I was close and he told me that he would meet us out
front. He would get us as close as he could for the guys who had trouble
with walking. When we got there, he motioned me inside the
compound. He looked at our convoy and said, "Why don't you guys just
park your cars right here.".
So, we all piled out. Kyle had lanyards with passes on them. Each
pass had a name. I helped him pass them out. Then, he called out
the name of one of the drivers. "I get to go in?", she
squealed, "Yippee!". He had passes with all of our names.
He ushered us over to the door that led to the indoor arena.
Everything seemed so surreal as we stepped into their practice. Some of
the guys went immediately to the line of chairs along the side for
them. Others started down the sidelines. We could go where we
wanted as long as it was not out on the field. Kyle asked me if I would
address the team and introduce the guys. At first, I said that they could
introduce themselves. But, then I began to think and realize that they
would probably not say much at all. I went back out to my car and got my
list so that I would not forget anyone.
It as incredible watching these young athletes practice. One of the
coaches was from Madras and he took a few of us under his wing and walked us
down the sidelines. We met Anthony Newman who is a former NFL player and
does TV for the team.
Then, I was introduced to Bronco Mendenhall, the coach of the BYU team who just
happened to be in town and was allowed in. We went further down to the
end of the field and watched the offensive line in their practice. Those
were the biggest guys on the field. The line coach saw us and invited the
guys to say hi. They all came over and shook our hands. They were
all so huge. I have big hands but every one of their hands seemed to
envelope mine as if I were just a little kid. It was like being in the
land of the giants.
I walked around talking to the guys asking them if they were enjoying it.
Most of them were almost giddy with excitement. I could tell that a
couple were kind of hurting from the ride over. They stayed on the chairs
and just watched while the others moved around and took pictures.
As I waited for the end of practice, I wished that I had prepared more for the
event. I should have realized that they would introduce them individually
but I never gave it much thought. I wanted that introduction to be an
honor. I had a list of the guys, and some scribbles that I had written
next to each of their names to remind me of their service. I would have
to work with what I had.
After the practice, the coach brought the team around and placed them on a
knee. He began to talk of the visitors of the day. He told them of
how this generation was called the greatest and why. How they had lived
through the great depression and then fought a war that gave us the freedoms
that we have today.
As he began to talk about Bob Maxwell, Bob handed me his Medal of Honor and I
placed it around his neck. My hands were clammy as I snapped the snaps in
place. It was the second time that I had touched it and I felt it's
weight that Bob often talks about. As I snapped, visions of valor seemed
to envelope my mind. Being allowed to place it on his neck was an
incredible honor of it's own.
Bob was cool as he was talked about. He has been through this
before. I know Bob well and I know that it would be important to him that
all of the guys around him were honored just as equal.
It was then my time. I stepped up in front of the huge crowd. I
don't say huge by numbers but...by size. The intimidation factor was huge
and I think I struggled at first with thanking them for allowing us to be
there. I knew that I just needed to move on so I took a deep breath and
just started introducing the men, one at a time. Some came forward as I
spoke, others just raised their hands as I named them off. I think if I
ever am able to do this again, that I will have them join me on the stage of
sorts but those are the sorts of things that you learn along the way. The
team whooped, hollered, and clapped at each introduction. After I had
introduced them all individually, I introduced them collectively as the Bend
Band of Brothers. The team once again broke out in applause and
surrounded the group of men that had just been introduced. I stepped back
to let them have their honor.
The coach brought them in a huddle, the WW2 guys still in the middle. I
could barely see some of their heads over the large bodies of the
footballers. They all raised their hands into the air and yelled out 1 2
3 Go Ducks!.
I turned around and standing behind me was De'Anthony Thomas. "Where
ya been, man?", I asked him, "We have been looking for
you.". He told me that he had not been feeling well so he did not
practice. I asked for a quick picture and he said, sure. Most of
the team then left but the coaches and some of the players stuck around and
talked and took pictures.
I took a picture with Marcus Mariota, the quarterback and shook hands with many
of the players. I didn't know many of their names and kicked myself for
not being more prepared. One of the coaches walked over and stuck out his
hand. "Hi", he said, "I am Coach Frost". I
could tell by his how he carried himself that he was a special person.
You know, some guys just have that way about them. Like a friendly
confidence that makes you want to know them better.
I walked over and stood with Kyle as we watched the vets talk with the coaches
and players. "Do you know who Coach Frost is?", he said.
"No", I answered. "Well, he played quarterback for
Nebraska back in the 90's. He beat Payton Manning's Tennessee team for
the national title. He went on to play many years in the NFL. We
are lucky to have him.". I watched Coach Frost as he moved away with
a few of the players. He did some one on one with a couple of them at the
end of the field actually running wind sprints with them. I wished then
that I had spent more time with him.
I brought the guys into the middle of the field and we took some pictures with
the new coach, Coach Helfrich. Then the guys collected around him and
talked as I watched again with Kyle. Kyle asked if some of the guys would want
to see the field. I said sure and collected them up again.
We walked out of the building towards Autzen, walking by our cars. A man
was leaning against my car waiting for the guys. As we got closer, he
popped off and walked towards us.
It was Marcus Mariota, the quarterback. He shook every man's hand
individually and thanked us all for coming. We were all so impressed with
him. What a great young man.
Kyle opened the gates to the field and the guys filtered through, some faster
than others. The ones up front equally excited to be able to step out on
the field that a couple had only seen on TV.
Jeff Hawkins or "Hawk" as they call him joined us there.
He had been in a construction meeting. We shook hands and I walked in
with him behind the rest of the guys. Hawk then took control of the
group, thanking the guys again and he and Kyle answered all the questions that
were raised.
Judy wanted to take a picture on the field so Hawk began setting the guys up in
a football formation. Once together, he placed him and I in the position
of quarterback and we took the last shot of the day.
As we walked out of the stadium, I thanked him again for allowing this great
honor for these guys. "You are welcome back", he said,
"Lets talk again as we get closer to August. Maybe we can get them
over for daily doubles.".
All in all, it was an incredible day. One that none of us will forget
soon. Judy was also quite taken by the event and by the way that the
players honored and respected the guys. She has decided that the Ducks are
ok....and that she will join us for the spring game next week.
