Legends on Parade
Let’s talk about a day that I could never have imagined happening in all of my life.
But to put it into context, let’s start with a pop-quiz. Pick the odd one out of this sentence and you’ll get a feel for the sort of day we had on Saturday. Bart Starr, Paul Hornung, Jerry Kramer, Max McGee, Fuzzy Thurston and The Scullino Family. Can you see it? If you’re American then I’m sure you can. If not, try this – Don Bradman, Greg Norman, Pat Rafter, Johnny Raper, Tony Lockett and The Scullino Family. Can all of our Australian friends see it now? No? Ok, this is the last time and I’ll do my best to make it as simple as I can. Legend, Legend, Legend, Legend, Legend and The Scullino Family.
So I made that sound as though we felt out of place but let me tell you we had the absolute time of our lives this afternoon. Upon reading our story in the paper 2 weeks ago, Sandy and Corrie Campbell of Aspire LLC contacted us about the “Legends of Lambeau” parade they were co-ordinating for Saturday the 22nd. We were, despite not being familiar with the term, invited to be Grand Marshals of the parade and had been looking forward to it all week. It was a parade to mark the 50th Anniversary of Lambeau Field, the 40th Anniversary of the legendary “Ice-Bowl” game and the 10th Anniversary of the Packers last Superbowl triumph in 1997. Due to the sacrifices we had made to be here for this season and the commitment by us to support this football team we were considered worthy of such an honorary role. It was our first experience in such a parade and one that will be remembered for a very long time.
Along with the mayor of Green Bay, Mr Jim Schmitt and his family, Senator Dave Hansen and his wife Jane, Ashwaubenon Village President Jerry Menne, Miss Green Bay 2007, Danielle DuFour, the original “Golden Girl” Mary Jane Sorgel, legendary Packers photographer Vern Beiver and families of the late Ray Nitschke and Vince Lombardi, we were there to unveil four new 5-foot high, 12-gauge brushed, Stainless Steel town monuments honouring Vince Lombardi himself, Ray Nitschke, Paul Hornung and Jerry Kramer. These monuments add to the 4 already in place paying respect to current and past players Brett Favre, the late Tony Canadeo, the late Reggie White and “Pride” symbolising the original football era of Green Bay dating to between 1895 and 1918. By the end of 2009 there will be a total of 24 monuments in and around the Lambeau Field district commemorating those players and people that have given so much to the community of Green Bay through their commitment to this organisation. Also there to complete the parade were the Packers Cheerleading Alumni, the first of their kind in the National Football League, the South-Shore Drill team, the marching bands of Ashwaubenon and Green Bay Preble High Schools, the Richfield Elementary School band and Packers Alumni Gary Knaflec, Bob Long, Bob Skoronski, Dave Robinson, Tom Brown, Doug Hart, John Brockington, Chester Marcol, Zeke Bratkowski and Harry Sydney.
Being part of this parade, after writing all of that was an absolute honour and still leaves both Kelly and I a little lost for words.
Fourth from the front we cruised slowly, in true Lincoln Continental style, through the streets that shadow Lambeau Field in front of a crowd some 4000 people strong. Hearing whispers of “That’s that Australian Family” or “There’s that guy who sold his house” was a new experience in itself. Responding to such calls as “G’day Mates”, “Did ya bring your shrimp for the barbie?” and “Hey Crocodile Hunter” was a laugh. We even had one member of the crowd ask us to complete the now famous cry of “Ossie, Ossie, Ossie”. How could I not fly back with a hearty “Oi, Oi, Oi”? For the most part, as strange as it was for this Sales Exec. and full-time Mother to grasp, we were greeted with congratulations, best wishes and welcomes to Green Bay, all of which were gratefully accepted. Kelly and I looked at each other, shook our heads and smiled a number of times for the position we had suddenly found ourselves in.
For us, this experience was completely foreign and one I’m sure will never happen again. You see, good old Mid-West hospitality, classic, vintage American cars, marching bands and cheerleaders aren’t quite the norm where we’re from. Nor is riding amongst such esteemed company on such a special day over streets you have never before travelled to celebrate something that means so much to so many. It was most certainly one of those moments that, whilst a little difficult to come to terms with, we never wanted to end. The purr of the Cadillac on which we rode high was amazing. The sound of the marching band behind us was surreal and the landmarks by which we drove were so great to see at the pace that we were going.
Despite really getting into by the end, even Luc had started waving to people, we were all done in 40 minutes or so. At that point we made our way to Champions Sports Bar where we were able to meet with most of the aforementioned people. I was able to shake hands with max McGee and Jerry Kramer (pictured) and meet with a ton of people we wouldn’t have met if not for the very generous invite from the event organisers. I also had the pleasure of meeting ajkhf aka avlhad vq voqv qkj.v quvg kdjgvg dqukvg qduvg dqkv dqkvhb qiuvg qkv qdv qiudgv qkv dakjvh dkjvh daklv adkhjv gadkvg adkvg adklvg adklvg adklgv akdlgv adkgv akdlgv akdgv dkagv adkjhgv kadgv kaldgv kadgv kadgv akdlgv kadgv kadgv kadgv adkvg .
I know I say this alot but Saturday was just another example of what this team means to the people of Green Bay. We know that being a part of an event this big, for the first time in 50 years is something very, very special. To Sandy and Corrie from Aspire I want to say thankyou on behalf of Kelly, Benjamin and Lucas for allowing us the opportunity to meet such famed people in the history of this town. To those who embraced us, offered us advise, wished us well and made us feel as welcome as we did we extend the same gratitude. It truly was a great way to spend the last beautiful Wisconsin Summers day of the year.
If you weren’t able to see it or would like to see some of the stars again I have added a gallery of pics below for your perusal.
