Go Bears!

Friday, September 18, 2015
The early part of our day was dedicated to doing a few more things necessary before we move on to Pennsylvania on Monday.  Hair cuts, cleaning things up, doing a bit of necessary shopping. And through most of it, it rained yet again.   But the best came on its heals. ......

We met Matt and Michelle Reidesel at Peabody's for an early dinner and lots of catching up.  They left their home in Alaska earlier this year and are now trying to get established in the lower 48 after leaving the military life behind them.

Then we raced off to Berkley to arrive at the football stadium just as they were announcing the 125 piece Berkley Bears High School Band that struck up a tune under the stands

 Then marched out onto the field

to honor all of the military with their songs

Play the school fight song as the football team ran onto the field

And then stood at attention while all the military fathers and grandfathers of the football players were introduced and red, white and blue balloons were released.

As they marched off I was able to catch a shot of Jason with his sax

We joined our daughter Beth and her husband Dean in the front and center seats for the game.  And enjoyed also chatting with Tom and Betsy Rice (he just started his new pastor job in Columbus, Ohio this week).  Their son Daniel is a senior this year and playing the trumpet.  I wasn't able to pick him out quickly enough to get a picture of him.

The weather held for the game staying pleasantly warm with a light breeze so a great night to be in the stands.  The band, of course, did a half time show

And by the time we left in the midst of the third quarter the Bears were doing quite well on the field

And by the time we were back home and crawling into beds the rains had again returned.  But the weather once again cooperated when we needed it to for a very enjoyable evening.