Thanks For Giving.

"Thanks for coming," I heard a teammate say to his friends or family after our game.  As I sat on an overheated bus I asked myself, 'just what I had to be thankful for at the moment?'  We had just lost both our games in a two game series by an unsettling seven goals.  Our team was in the midst of a three game losing streak in which we were outscored 18-8.  To say the least, things stunk!  On top of it all, awaiting me bright and early the next morning was a stack of books that cried for thorough searching as I had three papers due the coming week.  So, as our bus trudged along the snow ridden road at what seemed like a snail's pace, I again asked myself, what in the heck do I have to be thankful for?

As it turns out, I have a lot for which to be thankful.  We all do.  And as Thanksgiving approaches and we all begin to prepare gargantuan feasts of roasted turkey, buttery mashed potatoes and creamy pumpkin pie - a meal that looks so big it could feed an entire army - let us not forget that indeed one of the many reasons we are afforded the opportunity to dine so elegantly and comfortably is because of an army - the United States Army, which ironically will see many of its members forgo this gluttonous meal that we all so blissfully consume.  Let us not forget to be thankful for their sacrifice.

Amongst the thousands of soldiers deployed are a handful of former Army Hockey players.  While there are many I do not know, in fact so many I cannot possibly count, there are a few I know personally and, therefore, feel a strong urging to publically thank them for their service.

Corey Rudd and Seth Beamer, both USMA '06, are currently deployed to Iraq.  Chris Migliaro, USMA '06, just recently returned from Iraq and is scheduled to deploy to Afghanistan this spring.  Brady Dolim, USMA '07, is currently deployed to Honduras.  Mike Picone, USMA '07, is deployed to Bahrain.  Chris Garceau, USMA '05, recently returned from 15 months in Iraq.  Chad Fifield, USMA '05, recently returned from Afghanistan.  Chad received a purple heart and bronze star for his actions while deployed. 

Lastly, Derek Hines, USMA '03.  Derek, a former Army Hockey captain, was killed in action in Afghanistan on September 1, 2005.  Anyone that knows Derek's story knows of a true friend, phenomenal teammate, and the epitome of a leader.  He paid the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf, leaving behind a family and friends, so we can continue to live the lives we enjoy today.   

I do not mean to single out these individuals from any other service members for any reason other than their connection to me and Army Hockey.  The sacrifice of all service men and women are equally as admirable and notable. 

So as we all gather with our friends and family over the long holiday weekend keep these individuals and their families in your mind.  Of the many things we have to be thankful for they are certainly amongst them.  To all service members: "Thanks for giving!"