FanNation - The Republic of Sport

I don't know how many of you knew this about me, but I am a Veteran. I was in the Navy many moons ago. I never saw any real combat like our men and women today face, but I was in the first Gulf War. It was pretty neat in its own right. I was part of a helicopter squadron and before the war we provide anti-submarine surveillance and search-and-rescue. When we left for the Gulf we stripped out the sonar equipment and replaced them with .50 cals. That was cool. During the war we would fill up the choppers with Navy SEALS and board suspicious ships, again that was pretty cool. I was a flight deck troubleshooter so I spent my time up on the flight deck, which, for those inquiring minds,is the most dangerous place in the world to work. You lived in constant fear of getting sucked into an intake, blown overboard, turned into mush by props, or being decapitated by a tail rotor. But that's what made it exciting. Our ship was the carrier John F. Kennedy, which was sadly and recently decommissioned as the last diesel powered aircraft carrier. During the war we launched the first planes to drop bombs and our battle group started the war with the USS Missouri firing Tomahawk missiles. The only other "action" we saw was when the JFK shot down a couple of Libyan Migs. Anyone remember Khadaffi's "line-of-death"? Well we were zigzagging back forth over it when he launched a couple of fighters to take us on. Yeah, we had the same thought; "he's out of his friggin' mind". Anyway we launched our alert F-14 Fighters and the Migs were summarily shot down. Then we continued on to our next port call. That's the extent of my battle scars. But this blog is not about me it's about the men and women, who throughout history have fought to keep us safe and free. Who guard our shores against all enemies, foreign and domestic. I thank each and every one of our vets for your service. I hope you all enjoy the video clips.

21 gun salute

Marine Corp

I had the privilege if seeing these guys in person and they are every bit as good as people say they are. The videos don't quite do them justice so if you ever have a chance to see these guys in person, do it.

Silent drill team - Amateur video

Silent drill team - File video

You can't show the Silent Drill Team without these guys

Drum and Bugle Corps

Army

Thunderstruck

Navy

I have also seen both the Blue Angels in person and they flat out rock.

Blue Angels

Gulf War 1991

Air Force

This is a kickass tribute.

 

Power Rankings

1. Titans (9-0) - Raise your hands if you honestly thought Kerry Collins would be the one to win the game for them. 
2. Giants (8-1) - I think the more likely SB would be the Giants-Titans.
3. Panthers (7-2) - Delhomey has his worst day, statistically, but still won by double digits. Man, the Raiders are a really bad team.
4. Ravens (6-3) - This may not be the flashiest team, but they get it done. The have a good defense once again, but this time they have an above average offense. Look out for this team come playoffs time.
5. Bucs (6-3) - Bye week, so they stay put.
6. Redskins (6-3) - Ditto, bye week rule.
7. Steelers (6-3) - Tough loss, but I have to commend Rothlawhoozit for his toughness this season.
8. Patriots (6-3) Tom Who?
9. Falcons (6-3) - Never, ever, in my wildest imagination did I think the Falcons could break my top 10. 
10. Cards (6-3) - Well they have the benefit of playing in the worst division in football. They could lose the rest of their games and still win it. 
11. Yoda (7,215 - 638) - Thanks for your help.

 

ON THE VERGE:

Jets

Fins

Colts

Foosball

Cassidy

Cheezhead

Blueashriel

 

The Power Rankings Poll seemed like a good idea, but it is quickly losing steam. But as long as I get responses from my real friends, then I'll stick with it because I made the commitment.

 

1. Titans (63 total/3 first place)
2. Giants (57 total/2 first place) 
3. Panthers (40 total)
4. Steelers (30 total)
5. Pats (28 total)
6. Skins (22 total)
7. Ravens (18 total)
8. Bucs (14 total)
9. Cards (12 total)
10. Eagles (6 totals)

 

Others receiving votes

Colts

Falcons

Jets

 

How the voting went:

1. Titans        1. Giants      1. Titans        1. Giants       1. Titans
2. Giants       2. Titans       2. Giants       2. Titans        2. Giants
3. Panthers   3. Panthers  3. Panthers   3. Panthers   3. Panthers
4. Bucs          4. Steelers   4. Pats          4. Skins         4. Steelers
5. Steelers    5. Pats         5. Eagles       5. Pats          5. Ravens
6. Ravens     6. Steelers   6. Steelers     6. Steelers    6. Pats
7. Pats         7. Skins        7. Skins          7. Ravens     7. Skins
8. Skins        8. Ravens    8. Colts           8. Cards       8. Bucs
9. Jets         9. Bucs         9. Falcons       9. Bucs         9. Cards
10. Cards     10. Falcons   10. Cards        10. Falcons  10. Jets 

That's it. If you don't like it, well, don't leave your shoes where I can find them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you once again Veterans, you are all my heroes!