A few days ago, a soldier from the Guard called and asked if I was going to the Christmas sing-a-long at the Energy Solutions Arena. I said I probably wasn't going. He told me that the sing-a-long was going to link up with the soldiers overseas, and they wanted to do a spot on a few of the deployment babies, and Simon was one of four babies chosen. They'd put us up on the Jumbotron, and link Dirk in by satellite, and wow! I was still stammering something stupid about taking little kids downtown. He said to come if I could, and meet him at the ticket offices, and I didn't need to call back to RSVP if I decided to come, they'd just find me.
Well, I started picturing something like they do at Stadium of Fire, and that sounded great! Susan met me in the parking lot, and Shawn and Kris and family met us in the Arena, and I went off looking for my five minutes of Jumbotron fame with Simon.
After about 45 minutes with a very nice man trying to figure out what I was talking about, a man in uniform (unfamiliar rank insignia - just one star, which I hadn't seen before) found me and was horrified that no one had called me. Probably I wasn't on a call list because I'd been iffy about coming. There had been technical problems with the connection, and they weren't going to be able to connect with anyone in Afghanistan at all. He apologized profusely, and was concerned about how disappointed I was. I assured him I was fine, and we'd just enjoy the program.
I thumbed through a program and recognized the picture of the man who apologized about the mix-up. Brigadier General Jeff Burton was participating in the show. Holy cow, that's what one star means! So I didn't get to be on the Jumbotron with my uber-cute baby and talk to my honey by satellite, but a Brigadier General apologized to me personally for the disappointment!
The link with the soldiers turned out to be a camera that showed a room full of soldiers watching the program with us. They didn't interview anyone individually. But it was funny to watch the soldiers when they realized they were on the Jumbotron. They'd do the wave, hold up signs, and once they even got a chorus line together and did a cancan!
Anyway, the program was tons of fun. Short, free, and we all got to sing. The boys did great. I think we'll make it a family tradition. The most amusing part was that the cameras just picked people out of the audience and put them up on the Jumbotron. It was a riot to watch people realize they were up there, and then wave and point. I kept hoping they'd put us up there so I could say Simon made it to the Jumbotron after all, but it didn't happen. I did see a couple people from our ward, though!
5 comments:
It was fun. I am really glad we went. BTW I don't know if you noticed, but some guy came and tried to interview Jace. He wanted to talk and then didn't. All they got from him was a message on the microphone, which I am assuming went to the soldiers and not to the arena as we couldn't here them, was Merry Christmas Uncle Dirk. Though no one if Iraq or Kuwait would know who Dirk was - or maybe they would. Thanks for inviting us.
I am so glad that we went - it was great fun even if we didn't get to see Simon 20 feet tall (Shawn's kids informed me that the jumbotron was only ten feet tall anyway!!)
It always tickles me that Benji is so happy to have his grandma ... he was perfectly content to stay with me the whole evening - even when mama came back - I loved it.
It needs to be an annual affair!!
It sounds like you guys had a lot of fun! We ended up spending a good chunk of the night helping a youth in our ward...he backed into a parked car as he was leaving our house. I had to translate because the owner of the the other car spoke spanish. Poor kid, his mom and dad were away overnight for their 25th anniversary. I made him promise not to call them until tomorrow morning, so they could at least relax for one night.
Anyways, I'm glad you had a good time and wow, a Brigadier General! I've only heard about them on "White Christmas!"
Melinda! What a bummer- that would've been so cool to talk to him on a jumbotron!! Sounds like you had fun anyway!! It's good to see you blogging again!! I hope your 2 weeks were awesome and you were able to get everything done that you wanted to!! Now THE countdown begins!!
That sounds neat! I bet the troops love seeing the people support them! You are aweesome and we are so grateful for Dirk and others like him who are sacrificing at this time of year! Hang in there!!
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