The 2022 Indy 500

MAY 29, 2022, Sunday

We had two flyovers, one with Jim Cornelison singing "Back Home Again in Indiana" and then, of course "The Star-Spangled Banner."  Jim Cornelison has evidently inherited the honor of singing this song from the late Jim Nabors.  Of course, he is a Chicago Blackhawk favorite as he sings the National Anthem for home games.  

My favorite Indy racer is Alexander Rossi and he was all the way back in the 7th row, so, as they say, he had quite a road to hoe.  He ended up finishing fifth, 4.9 seconds behind first place winner Marcus Ericsson.  None of us had ever heard of Marcus Ericsson, but we know him now.

Congrats to Marcus Ericcson.

Stuck around to watch the award and victory lap as well as the kissing of the yard of bricks at the start/finish line and to let more of the people leave.

Went back to the RV, but when we went over to the Legion for cocktails, they had already closed so we were forced to have our drinks at the RV, bbq some meat and talk aout the race.

Paul and I tried to stay up and watch the replay of the race, but only made it half way through before we had to go to sleep.  We think it might be because we're getting old or sitting out in the sun that long.

I will be writing in a lot more detail about the Indy 500 in my RoadDog's RoadLog blog at some point in the future.

--RoadDog

Just Got Back From Indy 500-- Part 5: "Lady and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines"

Everyone was keeping a weather eye out west, lest we have heavy rain and mess up the race.  This was talked about ever since we got there on Thursday, whether or not there would even be a race and what would happen if it was canceled Sunday.

As it turned out, it didn't rain.

This race is probably the biggest Memorial Day commemoration in the United States.  It is devoted to those veterans who gave their lives in the service of their country.  We had a four helicopter flyover and another flyover by two WW II planes and a jet and another plane while Kelly Clarkson was singing the "Star-Spangled Banner."  No ONE took a knee.

Blackhawk favorite, Jim Cornelison sang "Back Home Again in Indiana."  He sings the "Star-Spangled Banner" for home games.  This is his third year in a row doing it so I'd say he has now taken the place of Jim Nabors singing it.

"Lady and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines."  Pippa Mann was among the 33 who raced.

--RoadDog

A PLETHORA OF TIDBITS:  When actor Clint Eastwood ran for mayor of Carmel, California, in 1986, a major issue was ice cream.  Town leaders had banned the sale of ice cream cones, incensing Eastwood and his supporters.  They won and overturned the ordinance.

How About a Quiz on Our Flag in Honor of Flag Day?

If you would like to take a quiz on the American flag go to "This scrap of flag inspired the 'Star-Spangled Banner'"  Take the one from the Fayetteville Observer.  Once on the site go to "How much do you know about the American flag?"

There are some really hard ones and some easy ones in the 12 questions.

I got 9 of 12 right, including one I figured was a trick questions.  I had to guess on some.  I missed #2, #9 and #11.  They rank you at the end of the quiz.

I am proud to say I am a "Real Patriot."

I'm So Happy.  --RoadDog

Who Are the Real Heroes? The NFL or Our Veterans

Today, when all those NFL players take a knee and indicate to our veterans what they think of them, let's think of the real heroes.

Yesterday I attended the 34th annual Tom Grosvenor Memorial Marine Corps Breakfast for Toys for Tots at the Fox Lake, Illinois, American Legion.  This coming Friday, November 10 is the 242nd birthday of our Corps.

Everyone stood during the presentation of the colors and National Anthem except one man.

He was at the Vietnam War veterans table...and he was in a wheel chair,  He was missing a leg.

Certainly a reason not to stand, but I know he would have if he could have.

Something to think about today when you see that offensive show of disrespect out on the sidelines before the game.

I wonder who paid the price so those football players could make their millions of dollars?

We Know.  --RoadDog

200th Birthday of the Star-Spangled Banner

And here I was thinking it was today, the 15th, but actually was yesterday.  Oh, well.  Let me congratulate the song and country now (otherwise I would have written about it yesterday, even though I usually don't do the blogs on Sundays).

I still have two flags that have been up since 9-11.

For an excellent short account of the history of the song, check out Wikipedia.

And, of course, in my humble opinion, Chicago has the very best "Star-Spangled Banner" singer, the Blackhawks' Jim Cornelison.  I imagine there is a You-Tube video of him singing it.  It is an experience with cheering and yelling throughout the whole thing.  And then, that voice!!!

We had the pleasure of seeing and hearing him last Saturday at the NIU-Northwestern football game.  

I also really liked the Jimi Hendrix version from Woodstock.

A Big Happy Birthday to That Great Song.  --RoadDog