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Health & Fitness

The True Meaning of "TEAM"

The meaning of the word TEAM and the strength of a community.

I learned what the word "Team" meant yesterday.  It took me 29 years but I finally saw it firsthand. 

Yesterday was my father's funeral service at the Tahoma National Cemetery, a military cemetery in Maple Valley, WA.  A very beautiful place "Where Heroes Go to Rest."  My brother, Jason, is the varsity coach at Kentlake High School in Kent, and my nephew, Marcus, is a catcher for the team.  Upon arriving at the cemetery, the whole family gathered in the parking area, talking and waiting to be escorted back to the ceremony area when my brother's assistant coach pulled up.  Not expecting to see him, we greeted him. 

A few minutes later, a caravan of cars showed up.  Each player from my brother's team got out of the car in black slacks, shirt and tie and wearing the baseball team's warm-up pullover and hats.  It was a very touching moment to see a whole group of boys pull together like this because of their coach and fellow player.  I can't describe the overwhelming feeling I got when I saw them all come up and give my brother and nephew a hug.  It was one of the most moving things that I have experienced.  It was truly the meaning of a team. 

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After that we were led back to the ceremony grounds for the full military service funeral, including a 21-gun salute, the presentation of the American flag and "Taps" playing on bugle.  After the chaplain spoke the last words, each one of the players, one by one walked up to the urn and placed four carnations next to it.  One by one, 16 or 17 boys walked single file and placed their flowers, then turned and walked up and shook my brother's hand and hugged him, and then they all walked back behind the family and stood shoulder to shoulder for the remainder of the services.  They didn't have to be there, they could have easily have gone to work, or somewhere else, but because one of their fellow players and their coach had a loss in their lives, they did, too.  It still brings tears to my eyes just reliving the experience in writing.  The services were intended to be for family only, and when they showed up, they were there as a family, ours.  It's one of those surreal moments you see at the end of a sports movie, where the team rallies around their own and then you cry because you can see that there still are great people out there.  It was exactly like that. 

I'm sure the boys were there for Jason and Marcus but their significance was known by everyone there.  It's a moment I'll never forget and was proud to have been a part of.  What these boys have done off the field, at that single moment in time, will forever exceed anything that they will accomplish on the field. 

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They showed up there as a team, as a family yesterday and at their young age in life, experienced the true meaning of the word TEAM. 

These boys, this team, will forever be a part of my life and I am so grateful for them and what they've done.  Thanks to each and every one of you for showing me what being a team is all about.  I hope you each will take something from that day and keep it and use it in your personal lives.  You can only wear that jersey for so long, but the men that you have become while in it will be with you forever.

WRITTEN ON MAY 6th, 2008

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