IP: a game

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "Maney, Kevin" <kmaney () usatoday com>
> To: "'dave () farber net'" <dave () farber net>
> Subject: a game
> Date: Thu, 20 Sep 2001 08:45:21 -0400
>
> Dave:
>
> For IP, if you find it interesting. I wrote it to send to friends yesterday.
>
> Kevin
>
>
>
> I had the honor today of being part of one small act of resilience. Thought
> I'd share.
>
> For 8 or 10 years, I've played lunchtime pick-up soccer with a group of
> mostly Pentagon people on a field butted right up against the building. Lots
> of players come and go but a core group holds it together. It's a great
> bunch of guys, and we all feel like friends, even if we only know first
> names of some of the guys and what position they play.
>
> After the jet hit the Pentagon, e-mails flew around, trying to see if anyone
> was missing. It seems that only one player, Cmdr. Bill Donavon, is missing
> and presumed dead.
>
> The soccer had been halted since the crash. But today, Wednesday, September
> 12, the group played again, on our field by the building.
>
> We met 15 minutes early so we could have a small service for Bill. About 30
> people showed up. I am one of the minority "outsiders," and I have to say
> that my first thrill was simply the fact that a week after the act, I was
> able to drive to the Pentagon, park, and walk up to that field unhindered.
> The crash was on the opposite side of the building. I saw it from the
> highway. The collapsed part is huge and it is chilling. But it didn't turn
> the place into a bunker.
>
> Dave Nanney, who works in the Pentagon and runs the team, invited military
> Chaplain Sykes to join us. As players arrived, many hugged. We stood in a
> circle in the middle of the field on a beautiful sunny day. You could see
> scorch marks on the grass where choppers had landed last week. You could
> hear the sounds of cranes lifting rubble. Dave spoke about Bill, but mostly
> talked about how much he loves this team, and how members support each other
> and enjoy each other. One of the players, Jeff Stratton, is taking care of
> Bill's family. Sometimes Dave joked and made us laugh. Sometimes he broke
> down and cried.
>
> Chaplain Sykes stepped in. We held hands in a circle, and he spoke not of
> religion but of friends, of grieving and of carrying on. He was wonderful.
> He told us how we had to let it out and do so with people like those
> standing with us. Cry, scream, talk, take action -- whatever it takes. But
> get it out.
>
> He finished with a prayer. And then Dave said, in a quiet voice, "Let's kick
> some butt." I think he meant on the soccer field, but who knows.
>
> And then we played, just like always. In the shadow of a target. Under
> windows that looked in where people are planning a war. We played. Like
> always. And we all thought the same thing: Damn it felt good.
>
>
>
>
>
> Kevin Maney
> USA TODAY
> 703-276-3489



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