Return to the "POINTER VIEW"November 21, 2001
Return to the "POINTER VIEW"
November 21, 2001
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"My folks came to Fort Campbell to celebrate Thanksgiving in 1976 ... I wanted to give Mom and Pop another taste of the world I lived in. My brigade still used old-fashioned company mess halls, and that was where the Powell family went for Thanksgiving dinner."
Retired Gen. Colin Powell
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, I am giving the West Point community my top ten list of things to be thankful for.
Some items are serious while others lighthearted, but nevertheless, I hope everyone has a safe and joyful holiday.
1. Thank goodness there wasn’t another Yankees World Championship. While I am grateful that Roger Clemens did not throw another shared bat during this year’s World Series, I am thankful that ex-Philadelphia Phillie Curt Schilling won his first World Series after earning co-MVP honors with Randy Johnson. The 2001 World Series was one of the all-time greats and I couldn’t have been happier, as a fan, at the final result.
2. The heroes in Afghanistan and around the globe. Thousands of our American soldiers are currently deployed around the globe. Although they cannot make a trip home for turkey dinner, their sacrifices touch each of our hearts this holiday season.
Their service to our country strikes a deep cord in every Americans’ heart. As we sit at the dinner table tomorrow, I am sure every American will give thanks for their efforts, especially the two young women who were rescued last week by our special operations soldiers, after being held captive for three months in the clutches of the Taliban for spreading Christianity.
3. The first-place Philadelphia Eagles. While the Giants strive to stay close to their division rival, the Eagles remain on top the NFC East. Strong play by Dovovan McNabb and the Eagles defense has opened up the division lead for these football upstarts.
Although the Jets continue to shock the world with their division lead and dominance over the Dolphins, their success is not surprising considering head coach Herman Edward’s background as a Philadelphia Eagle.
4. The Uniform Code of Military Justice. Many of us take for granted the cornerstone of military justice. A little over 50 years ago, President Truman signed the UCMJ into law, establishing the framework of military justice. This document promotes justice by allowing commanders to maintain good order and discipline, while simultaneously protecting their soldiers’ individual rights.
5. Jim Fox’s reluctance to predict sporting events. After predicting that his beloved Yankees would NOT make it back to the World Series in 2001, and countless other misfires in the world of sports, Foxy has basically stopped making any type of prediction. But this is a good thing, and one for which we should all be thankful.
6. The U.S. Military Academy. Americans everywhere can take refuge in the knowledge that West Point continues to remain a pillar of leadership.
The Long Gray Line has been standing tall for 200 years, and the American values of Duty, Honor, Country continue to be the touchtone for all cadets walking our hallowed halls.
Yesterday’s heroes, such as Patton, Eisenhower, Bradley and Schwarzkopf, began their military careers here at West Point. Tomorrow’s heroes are doing the same. In a blink of an eye, America will be reading about the new generation of leadership, and names of current cadets, such as Cody, Beam, Meeks and Averill, will also become commonplace.
7. The renewed New York Rangers/Philadelphia Flyers Rivalry. By trading Philadelphia’s and the NHL’s most dominant and controversial hockey player to the blue-shirts of New York, a recently dormant hockey rivalry has been rekindled.
Eric Lindros has single-handedly reestablished one of the great rivalries in NHL. New York’s 4-2 win last week is only the first chapter in what promises to be an exciting battle between these two heavyweight teams.
8. The heroes of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. While America continues to mourn those who passed away on the darkest day in American history, courageous stories of gallantry, leadership and sacrifice continue to filter into our lives. Each of these stories should warm the hearts of even the hardest cynic. As members of the armed forces, we give a special salute to those uniformed heroes of the FDNY and NYPD who perished while trying to save lives.
9. A healthy Allen Iverson. While the NBA’s reigning MVP missed the first five games due to off-season elbow surgery, the Sixers got off to a winless start. But bad things came to an end since A.I.’s return and the Sixers are now the league’s hottest team.
Although the New Jersey Nets look like they have tightened their shot group with their impressive off-season acquisitions, their first-place record in the East, especially this early in the season, doesn’t look like it will hold up against the veteran Sixers squad.
10. America the Beautiful. More than 270 million Americans who love peace, justice and equality for all is a beautiful thing and something to be truly thankful for. Hopefully we’ll continue to come together and learn to put some of our pre-September 11 issues into their proper perspectives. Murphy’s Law tips its cap to this great nation and to all the ideals it stands for.
