Flying High
The past five years I have come to have a new appreciation for track and field not only because our youngest grand daughter competed at the varsity level but I competed on the intramural level in high high school. Our grand daughter is a high jumper and has earned a college scholarship. I was a long jumper and didn’t catch anyone’s eye at the next level. The field event that has always fascinated me is pole vault. Back in the stone age, a young man from our high school set the state record at 13 feet, 4 inches. It seemed to be an insurmountable height in 1965 and he made the regional news. Today many high school vaulters are flying over 16 feet and it is not unusual for the record to be a close to 17 feet high. One has to admire a teen who picks up a fiberglass pole, sprints down the runway, jams the pole into the ground and propels himself two stories into the air.
Monday’s Music Moves Me
This a freedom of choice week at 4M, which only seems appropriate for the first patriotic holiday of the year. Memorial day was originally established to honor those who gave their lives in service to this country. A soldier does not pick his adversary nor the cause of the conflict. He/she does not select the location nor the length of the battle. The warrior trusts that their government has determined the cause is just and that freedom is at risk. The combat soldier does not know if tomorrow will be the last day that he draws breath, but he/runs to the conflict and is prepared to give his last full measure of dedication and service to his country and the cause. Despite all of our troubles, we still live in “America the Beautiful”. Have a blessed Memorial Day.
Driller's Place 
You are right about the vaulters, that looks scary high to me.
Blessed Memorial Day to you.
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I think vaulters are a special breed of athlete.
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I love your love of track and photography. They are amazing young folks that do amazing things.
Love your choices of music today. I wasn’t surprised at all. We come from the same place where America is concerned.
Thank you for joining the Awww Mondays Blog Hop.
Have a blessed Memorial Day, my friend. 🙂
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We are not perfect. In fact we are often rude, inconsiderate, and unmindful of the world around us, but the world is still beating down our doors to live here.
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Impressive action shots, as always. You really missed your calling; you should have been a sports photographer. The vocalist in the first selection was spectacular; I enjoyed the jazzy take the United States Navy Band gave to America the Beautiful. I saw Lee Greenwood perform “God Bless the USA” live perhaps 10 or more years ago but I think this pandemic performance with the United States Air Force Band topped it – yes, God Bless the USA, land that I love.
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I guess I have become a closet sports photographer in my retirement years. I like the challenge of getting “the shot”.
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Pole vaulting is a crazy sport really, but it does take a lot of talent. Great shots you got of the vaulters. Happy Memorial Day!
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The pole vault takes an impressive amount of upper body strength, along with timing. I am impressed every time I see the kids compete.
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Wonderful post! I cannot believe how high the vaulters can go! And thanks for your kind words about Memorial Day.
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I just believe we need to take a moment and remember the true reason for the celebration of any holiday.
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Very nice musical selections
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Glad you enjoyed the tunes.
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Your action shots are amazing! I’m in awe of athletes abilities to jump incredible heights. I surely couldn’t do that then nor would I want to because I’m a big scaredy Cathy. I love your music tribute honoring those who served to our country! May God bless America!! Thanks for joining the 4M dance party this week, my friend. Have a boogietastic week!
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If I’m going to get that high in the air, there needs to be snacks and a stewardess involved.
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Terrific action shots! Wonderful music! We LOVE your Memorial Weekend post. We hope you had a marvellously happy Memorial Day!
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Glad you enjoyed the post. The holiday has been very good.
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So very nice. Of course they have a lot better equipment than back in the day. You have my upmost respect by doing the pole vault back in the day. My hat is off to you.
I ran track in the day and was a 400-800 guy. I was pretty good around here. The problem in the 400 there was this kid in our section who was in the same class as me and i would run a 48 or 49 400 and he would blow me away. True story, a year out of high school he ended up winning the open 400 in the Seoul Olympics in 1988. He finished his Olympic career with three golds and a silver. Steve Lewis was amazing to compete against in high school.
My son did track and still holds his high school’s record in the 800 and he ended up running JUCO and placed in the state meet, earned a partial scholarship but decided not to take it.
Most likely next year I will be the track coach at the middle school I teach at.
Great and meaningful songs.
Sorry for being so long.
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