A most excellent day! Thursdays Hero and Beyond

As we were waiting for our tour to begin former Coach Lavell Edwards showed up and spent about 15 minutes with us. He is one of my heros. We were able to take lots of pictures. What a day! I mostly spent the day holding back tears (mostly unsuccessful). 

David nominated me for the award so he had to interview. Serves him right.

Bronco was so kind. He spent lots of time with my family and I. When he noticed Noah he took the hat off his head and placed it on his. Noah was pretty proud.

Abe felt a little left out until he was able to try on Riley Jensen's helmet. 

The Team Cheer

The whole group

Bronco and the Boys

The trip over to the Academy. Riley paid at lot of attention to me. She is a sweetheart.

The beginning of the tour.

On the main campus

At the game. Notice the hat. Air Force was far ahead by this picture. The only disappointment was that it wasn't a closer game.

Thursday's Hero

When I was diagnosed with a brain tumor one of the things we planned for my bucket list was a trip to the Air Force Academy for the BYU/AF game. I graduated from the Academy in 1971 so I have ties. I am a big BYU fan but also an AF fan so I don't care who wins. My kids do! They are all BYU fans. That was before I was diagnosed with another tumor that would require a second surgery. The surgery way just 9 days before the game, but we already had tickets and reservations. We had to go. In talking to Dr. Gardener he was a little skeptical but he was willing to consider it. As it turned out I was able to leave the hospital one day early and Nathan had arranged a big van for us to travel to the Academy in where I could spread out and rest when I needed to. 

David, my son, was trying to arrange a field pass for us but wasn't able to. It was suggested that he apply for Thursday's hero. I was chosen. My kid sprang it on me about a half hour before I was supposed to be there. I was shocked but pleased.

We went to the football offices. They were so kind and attentive. While we were waiting for everyone to show up Lavell Edwards came walking in. He is one of my heroes. He spent about 20 minutes talking to me, and all my family. It was awesome!

Then we took a tour of the building including the dressing room, the coaches offices, and team meeting rooms. We ended up at the indoor practice facility where we watched the end of practice.

When they finished they brought me over. One of the players explained the program and gave a bunch of memorabilia and gifts for me and my family.  Another player had me sign the flag they carry on the field at beginning of games. The was a special moment given the names that were on that flag. Then they had me lead a team cheer and every player and most coaches shook me hand. It was a very emotional moment. After the handshake the players all went and signed a flag for me. 

Once the players were done Coach Mendenhall came up and spent a lot of time with my family. He was so kind to me and made me feel like the most important person on earth at the moment. 

AFA Fireside

Friday night we were invited to a fireside with the LDS cadets at the Air Force Academy chapel. Coach Mendenhall, his wife, and a player from the team spoke. The messages were very uplifting.There was good music by the cadet choir and a BYU lineman. It brought back many memories of my time at the Academy. I was group leader of the the LDS cadets while there. There were only 25 active cadets at the time. There are over 150 now. Impressive!

Tour

Jodi was able to arrange a tour of the campus. I spent four years there but my family never had seen the facilities close up. It brought back memories especially when I saw cadets doing disciplinary tours (marching back and forth because of breaking rules). I did a few tours for a slight disciplinary problem I had. My family sure enjoyed the tour. The campus looks just it did when I was there. 

Game

The whole family enjoyed the game, but me the most!  I wish it could have been a closer game.

The academy is a great place to go and enjoy a football experience.  Over all it was a perfect weekend.