Respecting the flag

I had a great time in Tacoma with good friends, good food, good cowboys and great bulls. I got to see more work of a great glass artist that I really enjoy (Dale Chihuly), stopped at the Port of Kalama (which I always see but never stop at) to take pictures, and actually relaxed for a bit. I have a bunch of video and pictures to go through, but this one stands out. I snuck this picture during the singing of the national anthem.

Three young, well behaved, cute little boys, with their dads, sat in front of us. Someone raised them right. All three stood during the anthem, paid attention, and showed respect (which I guess is more than can be said for me since I was taking pictures).

The bullriders at the event were not just Americans. Brazil, Mexico, Canada and Australia were also represented. The foreign cowboys stood during the national anthem, which at least 2 of them would need translated to understand the words since they had a translator with them.

If these three boys and non-American cowboys know how to the respect the flag, why can't professional athletes?

US Border Patrol at the PBR

The US Border Patrol was at the PBR on Sunday (which makes sense since a quick Google search says the two made an alliance in 2008). I stopped at the Border Patrol booth on the concourse to say thank you for the job they do, and to hopefully get one of the challenge coins they were handing out. Watching the crowd give them a standing ovation was something to see.

That was before we learned they lost one of their own on February 2nd. Her family was honored Sunday, by not only the PBR but also the Border Patrol, and the fans in the Tacoma Dome.

Border Patrol Donna Doss honored