Last week was one of those week’s the makes all the hard work and sacrifice worth it.  It was the kind of week that rejuvenates your energy and lifts your spirit.

As I got in the car for the two and a half hour drive I had no idea what a wonderful week it would be.  Never imagined I would spend the better part of a day talking with Bengals Head Coach Marvin Lewis or Mrs. Susan Castellini, majority owner of my beloved Cincinnati Reds.  I didn’t give much thought to the wonderful experience we would provide to Nelson Stewart the 72-year-old dad of our NASCAR team owner Tony Stewart.  However, I did think about how I was going to rib Tony about screaming “like a little girl” when he jumped out the plane.

Tony and Nelson Stewart prior to their tandem jump.

What I also didn’t anticipate was the emotions I would feel during the weekend.  Of course, I was thrilled to meet Coach Lewis and Mrs. Castellini…but my return to my high school and the Civil Rights Weekend activities brought out other emotions that left me amazed and humbled.

I returned to my high school on Friday morning with the 82d Airborne Division “All-American” Chorus.  It was an opportunity to say thanks to the school for the important role it played in shaping my life.  More importantly it was able to honor Brother Bob Politi who was celebrating his 50^th anniversary as a religious brother in the Society of Mary.

Bro. Bob was a constant presence during my years at Purcell (now Purcell-Marian).  He helped me to develop my self confidence and to understand I had value as a human being.  He is one of those who helped save my life during a difficult period.

Bro Bob Politi, me, and Don Loos, my guidance counselor.

It was an emotional visit made more so by the beautiful music performed by the Soldiers of the 82d Airborne Division Chorus.  Then an Army hero of mine, Command Sergeant Major (retired) Michele Jones who now serves as Special Assistant to the Secretary of Defense and White House Liaison, asked to speak to the crowd.

CSM is a wonderful speaker who has inspired thousands of young people across the country.  As the first female to serve as the senior enlisted leaders of the Army Reserve, her own story is compelling and inspirational.  But on this day she turned the tables on me and told the students about my contributions to the Nation.  I am still greatly humbled and moved that she would do this for me.

Friday afternoon and Saturday were even more amazing as we participated in MLB’s Civil Rights Weekend.  It was an honor to meet some of the nation’s Civil Rights and baseball legends.  Ambassador Andrew Young, Congressman John Lewis, singer Harry Belafonte, Billy Jean King, Zina Garrison, Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, and Ernie Banks. 

How can you not be humbled in the presence of Ambassador Young?  How much has he suffered since that terrible day in Memphis as he watched Dr. King slip away?  How can you not admire him for continuing on, despite what he had witnessed?

I often wonder why Congressman Lewis continued to fight after nearly being beaten to death.  Where do you find the strength to continue on in the face of such hatred?  It was a tremendous honor to shake his hand and thank him for what he had given to our country.

And there were my hometown heroes Joe Morgan, Barry Larkin, Dave Parker, Eric Davis, and Reggie Williams (Bengals).   I still get a chill remembering the way Joe Morgan could motor around the bases and his tremendous skill at second based.  The 1975 and 76 World Series are still among my best memories.  The sound of the ball as it left Dave Parker’s bat headed out of the park still rings in my ears and  I can still see Eric Davis and Billy Hatcher colliding in the outfield during the last game of the 1990 World Series.  The heart Eric Davis showed, earned him the nickname “Eric, the Red.”  And there have been few players more loyal to their team…their hometown team than Barry Larkin. 

Joe Morgan and me.

In 1982 I tried to stay up all night in the NATO headquarters in Izmir, Turkey to listen to the Super Bowl between my Bengals led by Reggie Williams and the San Francisco 49ers.  But Turkey was under martial law and they made me go home just before halftime.  And when I returned the next morning, the only landline that carried Armed Forces Radio into the headquarters was down.  It would be several agonizing hours before I would hear how close we’d come to winning.

As I sat on the field for the Civil Rights Game opening ceremonies I realized once again how lucky I am to have this job.  I am still amazed at how my decision to join the Army helped lead me to that moment and so many other wonderful experiences.