The Weather Was Crisp But Beautiful
By Susannah Kerest
Front Porch Forum hosts online newsletters in every town in Vermont. Neighbors, nonprofits, businesses, and government officials can post messages, share news, get advice, make recommendations, announce events, sell items, and much more. It's all about helping neighbors to connect and build community.
Each week, one posting is selected for its humor, storytelling, or community-building, and then shared throughout the state. And, now you can read it here in The Bridge Weekly.
Tamira shared this story in the St. Albans Town Forum. We thought it was well worth a share:
"This past Friday, I attended the BFA Bobwhites varsity lacrosse game against Rice High School. It was a special evening under the stadium lights as BFA celebrated Senior Night. Families, friends, and community members filled the stands to cheer on the Bobwhites and honor the seniors as they prepare to graduate and begin their next chapter.
"The weather was crisp but beautiful, and there was a real sense of excitement in the air before the game began. But what made the evening truly memorable happened just before the opening whistle.
"When it came time to play the National Anthem, the announcer ran into technical difficulties and couldn't get the recording to work. Without missing a beat, a group of young men in the BFA crowd began singing the first verse of 'The Star-Spangled Banner.' Within moments, the rest of the crowd joined in, and soon a chorus of voices rose above the grandstand.
"I couldn't have been prouder to live in a community that not only knows the anthem but is willing to sing it together and understands its importance. Singing the National Anthem before an athletic event is more than simply checking a box on an announcer's to-do list. It is a tradition rooted in patriotism, history, and shared values, a ritual that brings people together in a spirit of unity and respect.
"The moment felt especially poignant as we headed into Memorial Day weekend, a time when we honor and remember those who gave their last full measure in service to our country and to the freedoms we enjoy today.
"A heartfelt thank-you to the young men who stepped up without hesitation and helped create a moment I will not soon forget."
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