Just saw an HBO program about the 1980 USA Olympic Hockey team and our triumph over Russia for the eventual gold medal. I remember it well, seems like yesterday, but I was wiping back a few tears while watching the "replay" and seeing again how a handful of college kids brought this country to a new level of patriotic intensity (certainly in my lifetime) in the face of the Iranian hostages, Russian Afghanistan conflict, gas crisis, massive terrorist threats, and basically all around low point for USA (again lowest in my lifetime). I can remember the chanting "U-S-A" reverberating as the team skated around in disbelief that we had beaten the unbeatable Russian team. Unbelievable to hear the chanting in those troublesome times for the red-white-and-blue, flags waving, tears flowing, U-S-A, U-S-A. It was only a game and wasn't even the final victory for the Gold but it was an intense day and one that really brought our Nation together. Maybe it wasn't just a game. After that it seemed like the beginning of our "re-gaining" control of our lives and our integrity. United we can do ANYTHING!, and it seems like we are 10,000 times more united right now then we were then, even right after that game winning 10 minute stand to keep Russia from scoring, a team that beat us 10 to 3 in our previous meet and obviously had little trouble scoring against us. 10,000 times...I would not want to be in anyone's shoes who stands against our determination to end this terror! Anyway I thought I would share this memory. -Peace, Dave
