My family and I had the opportunity to see our first home Notre Dame football game this past weekend against the United States Air Force Academy. It was an awesome game, and being in Notre Dame stadium for the day was remarkable.
Many thanks go out to the Notre Dame fans (I, too, am a Notre Dame fan). We were greeted and congratulated with more respect and friendliness than I ever expected. Even with their team in shambles in the worst year of N.D. football history, we all felt like honored guests in South Bend.
The atmosphere on campus was beautiful and friendly. The entire stadium singing "America the Beautiful" and the National Anthem, and then the flyover with after-burners of the F-16 Air Force Fighters made it very difficult for me to keep my composure.
The most difficult time for me was when fans came up and thanked my son for his service to his country. Many times it is mentioned that we are "lucky" not having to pay for our son's education at the USAFA because it is free. In reality, it is not free.
It was said best by the Notre Dame fan directly behind us. He said, "We (the fans and Americans) are the lucky ones because it is the service of our military men and women that keep this country free." We all know that there is a price to pay for the freedom and I salute to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Thanks, Notre Dame! It was an absolute honor and pleasure to be on campus.
