Virgie Bell's View

We learn small truths in everyday events that concern us as a child. The core of our values and beliefs are instilled at an early age. When I was in high school unbeknownst to me, I had tied with another girl for Football Queen. My oldest brother was the captain of the team and it fell to Mickey to break the tie. He had been absent the day of the vote. He discussed this problem with my mother and the two of them agreed that it would be a disservice to me if I received the honor under the circumstances. They also felt it held an unfair advantage for the girl who, once his vote was cast, would wear the crown at the homecoming game that year.

She rode around the football field in my brother’s black Pontiac convertible and it was beautiful. I can’t remember any resentment on my part. I really can’t. Honor and a sense of fair play are the bedrock value of a nation. They are learned within a family. They are the Friday night lights, the junior play, the senior trip. They are that first marriage when dreams are still achievable; they are the children of that marriage. It is before we learn first hand of divorce and step families. It is seeing these children go off to war, and often, losing them in a foreign land. It is also to see this pattern go on and on. But in the back of our minds, at the depth of our souls, it is to preserve this same thing for all those that come after us. We want them to experience the Friday night lights, the junior play and senior trip. We want them to fall in love and marry and believe their dreams are achievable. Please ... let not let this American Dream, the American Spirit die...Please SUPPORT THE TROOPS.