I am watching the Army-Navy football game from Philadelphia, PA. The 116th game between these two storied institutions. When I was a kid the game was held in wartime. It was toward the end of World War II and was watched by a nation who needed this moment of pride. Since that time, the Navy has captured the leads in wins, but it really is THE game for both.

Army featured Mr. Inside and Mr. Outside, “Doc” Blanchard and Glen Davis. Coach Earl “Red” Blaik could call on the bruising Blanchard and his powerful line crushing runs and the blazing speed of Davis who later used it as a member of my favorite professional team, the Los Angeles Rams. He was once clocked in at 10 seconds flat, in full football gear, for 100 yards. Given he was a native Californian he was my favorite as we had that in common.

The military has gone through many ups and downs in my lifetime. Storied in many ways the US Army slogged through Korea and one of the all-time movies and TV series, MASH. Much maligned by the debacle of Vietnam and today the continued struggle in the Middle East, our military has responded and done their duty regardless of the politics and public opinion.

I did my two year stint in the Army as required shortly after Korea. I did it on the other side of the world where we still had a huge presence from World War II. First in beautiful Salzburg, Austria and then finishing the tour in a little outpost outside Frankfurt, Germany as we honored a treaty with the USSR we had signed that required the troops to leave.

I was in the Army because I had to be. I am happy that I had the experience. It helped me grow up. My question in all of this is when are

we going to stop killing each other around the world? When will we ever have a year without losing a son or daughter in some military location around the world? I support our troops wherever they are. I just don’t support why they are there. War has really never solved anything.

Remember …
Check out the coaching bookstore for a list of Coach Todd’s books that would make great Christmas gifts and holiday reading.