"For A Moment I Forgot Where I Was"
“For a moment I forgot where I was and felt like I was home“…James Miller serving in Iraq.
That is what football can do, that is why we watch sports, it’s the underlying feeling of normality. Our competitive nature that keeps us moving and in many cases drives our soldiers. So last night, under a late morning desert sky, still dark as midnight and dawn approaching, the NFL and in particular the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins, made some feel at home.
It was relayed that the 4th quarter brought an entire tent of US soldiers on their feet. A raucous affair of chiding and heckling. Cheers raised with every score, completion, and “Wild Cat” run. There was no beer, but cigarette smoke likely wafted through the morning air as fans nervously puffed away. While the Miami Dolphins celebrated a hispanic jubilee back home, over there, they celebrated normalcy.
As one soldier made his way to his outpost for his morning security detail, he was pulled inside and relieved by another soldier, “you may want to watch this. I got you covered”. The soldier made his way into a tented room walled with his fellow brethren, eyes tuned to the box in front of them. The Dolphins and the Jets played out a rhythmic back and forth 4th quarter that culminated in a final drive for the Dolphins. A victory with 6 seconds left to play. The tent went crazy. Cheering insued as the final play, the final Mark Sanchez toss, fell incomplete.
Today, many fans awoke and sauntered into work a bit tired, some a bit hung over, and some didn’t bother to go in at all. We tend to take for granted the simplest of things. We tout the fact that this win puts the Dolphins back in the chase for the division. We went to bed with smiles on our faces and slept well under an alcohol slumber. We did the water cooler jabber with co-workers about plays that were successful and how Chad Henne looks to be the real deal. We called our brothers, sisters, fathers, and chatted up the amazing MNF showdown that would go down in the lore of the Jets/Dolphins rivalry.
Over there, the game telecast concluded and some went back to their bunks and went to sleep only to awaken a short two hours or so later. For others, like the soldier above, he returned to his post, night vision goggles and all, peering out into the desert night protecting those that slept behind him. On his face, a smile. Because while that soldier sat and drew his attention to the surrounding landscape, for a short while, he was back at home. He was holding his wife and clutching his son. Sure, the game was exciting, but in the end, it’s all still just a game. Something that many of us, including myself take for granted. For them over there, it’s not a game, it’s not about winning and losing (although I won’t tell him that). It’s about feeling normal for a few hours, feeling like an American. Remembering what it is at home they are trying to protect. The ones they love.
Tonight, that soldier, my brother, is back on that line. Back on that tower looking out over the dark desert protecting his fellow soldiers behind him and trying to protect those of us at home. I miss him. I love him. And last night, I’m glad that I could sit here and watch that game and know that for a fleeting few hours, we shared in the same emotions. Closer than the miles that separate us.
Good read, Brian. Puts it all back in perspective.
October 13th, 2009 at 9:44 pmFantastic write up Brian.
Jim, you are truly one of the real heros. We will be drinking beer , telling lies and fighting with Brian at the pool in SoFlo before you know it. Stay safe buddy.
October 14th, 2009 at 1:09 amone of the best “football” articles I have read!! really hit home!! keep up the great writing and tell your brother to keep his head down and stay focused. i pray he comes home soon!
October 14th, 2009 at 2:14 amDamn B….nothing like getting the ol’ goosbumps going and the eyes all welled up! Great writing man!!
October 14th, 2009 at 7:07 amHere’s to your brother! Stay safe and hurry home.
Great article man.
October 14th, 2009 at 8:23 amGreat read Brian. And as always you know that our thoughts and prayers are with your brother and the others over there.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:14 amTell your brother THANK YOU.
Brian — thanks for posting that. Sure puts things in perspective.
October 14th, 2009 at 9:59 amAwesome article Brian!! Jim, Thank you for everything you do for us!! Here’s to you and everyone else returning home safe…
October 14th, 2009 at 11:09 amGO PHINS!! GO USA!!
What a great article. Congratulations, Pride, and Glory to your family. We wish your brother a safe return and thank him for his Service, now and always.
October 14th, 2009 at 4:39 pmWant to say THANK YOU to all who have posted comments for keeping Jim in their thoughts and prayers, and THANK YOU BRIAN for writing such a fantastic article. GO DOLPHINS!!!
October 14th, 2009 at 6:35 pmnot sure what to say really. I dont get much of a chance to see this website and this was a suprise. I recognized the caption and well, i dont know what to say. thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Brian this really meant a lot, I had to keep my back turned to my buddies waiting in line for the computer. Thank you Brian for your words, thanks all of you..yes you too wife! i love you! I couldnt believe the game was on and I obviously talk about the Fins enough that i got the hook up to watch that final qtr.I must say this though, the part about everyone up on their feet cheering for that great game, there was one who did not…undoubtedly a Jets fan, which made me smile even more. ha-ha!
October 14th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
October 14th, 2009 at 10:44 pmyea great read i remember you were trying to figure out whos picture to put on the website put his on there it would be a great honor to have his picture there that will show ur support n ours two go trrops and fins!!!!!
October 15th, 2009 at 6:00 pm[...] Football serves as an escape for our troops. – Phin Phanatic [...]
January 5th, 2010 at 1:03 am