Entry #13 - 1/4/04

Happy new year! I hope the holidays were enjoyable to all in the Buccaneer Baseball Family. The holidays for the Skole household were action packed and filled with excitement this year. As a youngster the holidays were always very important in our home. My parents always made it a special time of the year. From the decorations on and in the house, to the baking my mom always does, to the Christmas music always playing, there is no doubt that my parents have embedded the Christmas spirit in all of their children.

I wish the holidays lasted all year long because it really brings the good out in people. Yes, you have the headaches of traffic, crowds at the mall, and the hustle and bustle of trying to get everything done, but during this time of the year people are so much more giving of themselves. If people were as giving of themselves all year around like they are during the holiday season, then our world would be a better place. Doing something kind for someone feels just as good during other times of the year as it does during the holiday season.

I did learn a new lesson this year; you cannot put a price tag on "no assembly required". I'll be the first to admit I'm not the best handyman, but I felt confident that I could handle anything that came from Toys-R-Us. After putting together an electric motorcycle for Tilo (it only took me 3 hours), I now feel I could work for NASA building rockets. And how about batteries. I sure don't see that industry ever going out of business. I probably could have paid for Tilo's first semester of college with what we spent on batteries.

I would like to ask that everyone please keep all of our country's military personnel in their thoughts and prayers as they put their life on the line to defend our freedoms. Two individuals close to our baseball family have recently been assigned to do just that in Iraq. The first is Jay Sandos, who I simply refer to as "The Voice". Jay is our radio play by play announcer. If you have listened to an ETSU game on the radio in recent years you have heard Jay and you can feel his passion for what he does in every sentence. Jay was scheduled to broadcast our games this year for the first time, so it was disappointing he was called to active duty. I believe Jay is in a construction unit and will probably be rebuilding schools, homes, hospitals, etc. which have been destroyed. The second is Nathan Morrow, the son of our strength coach Lee Morrow. Nathan will be departing for Iraq in the next week or so. I have gotten to know Nathan in my five years at ETSU and it has been really gratifying seeing him mature and develop into a fine young man. Lee kept me informed from time to time as Nathan went through training to become a Marine at Paris Island. When Nathan returned I saw a young man, squared away and you could see the pride of the United State Marine Corp coming out in him. Nathan is in an infantry unit and I think he is a machine gunner. I am definitely glad Nathan is on our team.

We are all so fortunate to live in the greatest country in the world, but we take so much for granted. I don't think we realize how lucky we are. Patriotism is something which my father deeply rooted into my system. Standing tall, > taking my hat off, placing my right hand over my heart and singing proudly when the National Anthem is played is something I was taught to do at a very young age. Some of my fondest memories growing up were watching the Olympics with my father on television and cheering on our athletes to a Gold Medal. And then singing the National Anthem with them during the medal ceremony. I wonder what percentage of our population actually know the words to the Star Spangled Banner. You should be embarrassed if you don't. I cringe for the people who gave their lives for ou> r freedom, when I see others at a sporting event not respecting our flag when the anthem is being played. In all my years I have never heard one person say, "Gosh, that person is not cool, he put his hand over his heart and sang the National Anthem." That is what you are supposed to do. You shouldn't be embarrassed. Give it a try next time. You'll feel better about yourself.

I am at the end of a generation who may of had a father or uncle who saw combat action while our country was at war. Now, we may have friends, neighbors, brothers or sisters who have also served in this capacity. We should hold all of those who have done this to very high esteem. During some of our country's most trying times, many professional athletes quit playing ball in order to go fight for our freedom and way of life. Can you imagine Barry Bonds, Allen Iverson, Randy Moss, Chipper Jones or some of today's athletes doing that? Fat chance. They would probably go to Canada. Watching old movies on television when young men were wearing their military uniform they were looked up to. Now when we see our service men in uniform most people don't even give that person the same respect as we do a business man in a nice three piece suit. Something is wrong there.

One evening before Christmas, Jody and I were out shopping at the mall. I am not a very good shopper and finally I had enough. I decided to sit down at one of the benches which you find in the middle of the aisle at the mall, while Jody finished her shopping. Soon thereafter an older gentleman, probably in his eighties came and sat down across from me. We exchanged pleasantries and as I sat there resting my feet, I noticed this man had on a hat that said he served in WWII. His wife was now approaching so as he stood to greet her, I went over to the older gentleman and reached out to shake his hand. I told him I noticed his hat and I thanked him for serving our country and for fighting for our freedom. His eyes widened and his face began to glow. He said, "Thank you young man. I lost two brothers and many close friends in war." I sat back down and watched them walk away arm in arm. About ten minutes later as I was day dreaming about the food court, the older gentleman's wife reappeared. She came up to me and thanked me and said her husband told her what I had done. Again all I had done was say thank you. She said that it was the first time a young person has ever thanked him for serving our country and it was the greatest Christmas present he could have ever gotten. She said he had tears of joy in his eyes all the way to the car and she just had to come back and let me know. She gave me a hug and a kiss on the cheek then turned and left. So next time you see a man in uniform or a veteran of a foreign war (sometimes you can tell by their hat, or it may be on their license plate of their car) don't be scared to say thanks. I guarantee they will appreciate it. God Bless America! Until next time...

Coach Skole