A Moment of Silence
 

Last year, at Championship, they had a moment of silence for the passing of Bart Kamen. You could have heard a pin drop up in the nose bleed seats, it was so quiet.
That got me thinking and with the tragedy at Purdue it brought it back to me.
Why couldn't we have a moment of silence, at Championship, for the people we have lost since the last Championship (1 year span)?
They could read the names off or display them on the monitor.
Every year we have the names displayed on our robot:
http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/img...7238cc16_l.jpg

What does the FIRST community think? Is it doable?
What would it take to get it done?

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

+ one this.

I think this is a great idea.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Thanks for representing Marc. He's still greatly missed.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I agree wholeheartedly with this as well.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Not sure if we're the first to implement, as I haven't looked too far elsewhere...

You might be interested in looking up the Texas A&M Aggie tradition of "Muster". Once a day, around the world, Aggies gather to either a local spot or to College Station to meet up. The names of all Aggie graduates that have passed in the last year are read. It ends up being a number of folks, simply because A&M has been around awhile, and many people are dying of natural causes... plus we've graduated quite a few people over the years.

It's pretty powerful knowing that some day when you die, you will be remembered by the entire Aggie student body as a brother/sister.

Anywho, this is a great Aggie tradition, and I could see it becoming a very powerful FIRST tradition if someone led the charge to get it implemented. It's always sobering to remind ourselves that life isn't a guarantee, and it helps remind me to make sure I'm living each day as thought it was my last, and being grateful for each one.

Steven

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Excellent idea
We need to help and make this happen.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

This year's moment, if you look through the opening ceremonies video, was for all the losses over the year, both within the FIRST community and outside of it - but as I'm sure you could tell, it meant a great deal more to some of us up there with heavier hearts.

Woodie made a beautiful opening that meant a lot to us as a family, and Dean's speech reminding us all of how short life is made the opening ceremony a bit more reserved than originally planned, but put a new perspective on the urgency of FIRST's mission and on the closeness of the community.

I'm so proud of the effort my team made in distributing the stickers for my father this year, (something I didn't see until I was able to go to their events) and it moved me to see the stickers on almost every robot at the Championship, as well as on volunteer badges, clipboards, shirts - you name it. I think it's a great testament to how supportive FIRSTers are of each other.

The stickers were not a new idea - sadly, we see them often when the community loses someone - and I see no reason that something like this couldn't also be a tradition. I'm betting it could be worked into the FRC opening ceremonies much like last year's. An opening to get us all excited for the weekend ahead while still giving reverence and respect to those in the community who didn't make it there.

I couldn't possibly make any promises, but I think it's worth asking about.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

If anyone can, its you Libby!


A moment of silence reminds all of us what's important.

We had the privilege of visiting the campus last year and participating in the Boilermaker regional. In fact, one of our Dean's List winners at CMP last year, has applied to the school as a graduating senior this year.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

+1 on this.

Frank, if you're reading this, consider it please.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Wayne - Great idea. And thanks for honoring Kimmy on your team's robot! I did and still means a lot to Amy and I.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

+1 from the entire 2345 Animal Control team

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I'm bumping this thread to keep it everyones mind.
I hope Libby can make it happen.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I definately think that it is doable and if enough memebrs in the community voice their desires, it can get done.

I was there last year and the moment of silence was the most profound and genuinely heartfelt one I have ever been a part of. It made me truly proud to be part of the FIRST community!

If teams can build a robot in six weeks, I can only imagine what the FIRST communtiy can do in 6 days.

+1 from me!

Peace,
DOC

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Thanks for putting this back on the tip-top of my priority list. I appreciate it. :)

We'll see.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Since last championships too many students have lost life, their young life taken away from them for no fault of their own or their immediate family. Heart goes out for them.

A moment of silence would be great to appreciate those young lives even if they did not directly contributed to FIRST, no one knows for sure what impact they could have had on the FIRST's vision and mission.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I won't be at championships, but this would be a really great thing to do.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

A moment of silence is a wonderful and appropriate idea.
But consider what the Boldt family and FIRST Team 1732 did in honor of Andrew Boldt, an alumnus who was killed last year. They decided to "make it loud" at the WI Regional this year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D1lQJEZDyg This was as moving as a moment of silence, and perhaps more appropriate at a FIRST event? Just a thought.

Also, a lot of people don't attend opening ceremonies for a variety of reasons.
Could this be done during/between Einstein matches? I know it would be odd to do something solemn at that point, but I am sure the excitement of the matches would be able to bring everyone back up.

Finally, unfortunately, there would probably need to be some kind of policy as to who is publicly recognized/memorialized - certainly team members, alumni, coaches; but what about sponsors? suppliers? parents/grandparents? I hate to say this, but a line will need to be drawn somewhere. That doesn't mean we shouldn't proceed with this concept, just a detail to think about.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

This is the best suggestion I have heard for CMPs this year.

Frank, I hope you are reading this thread!

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Best idea for champs.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

+1
Great Idea, Even though I will not be attending CMP it would an amazing thing to see. I hope this happens

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I was in Milwaukee and I clapped louder than I ever have. Andrew deserved it.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

+1

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I could not agree more strongly. FIRST is a family. We should all take a moment to remember the loved ones we have lost.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Here's the list of the team members we have lost since last year (as seen on our robot)

Joey Hekkema Team #3572
Riley Brankstrom Team #1059
Kaleb Whiteley Team #2359
Mays Overton Team 2581

I hope there aren't any more.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Having lost our own team member this year, I know that a moment of silence would mean a lot to my students, my other mentors, and to his friends on other teams in both FRC and FTC.

I think it really sets the tone for the kind of community we have built here, and how much each member of each team is so integral to everyone's success.

I hope we'll get to see this happen.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

Is there any way we can make this happen this year?

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I think this is an extraordinary idea as well. One of the amazing things about FIRST is how close of a community we are, and that we have. This would be a great way to show how much we all care about everyone and I think the teams that have lost someone would really appreciate it.

A Moment of Silence
 

Team 228 recently lost one of their members.
Stefan Ankle.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I would love to see this become a thing, both at Championships and at every regional. Maybe it starts at Champs this year, giving enough time to put together an appropriate list of the people we've lost, and organize pictures and comments from their associated teams, and then hopefully expand it to more events for next season. Of all the things we need to improve at our events, I think this is the most noble, respectful, and important thing to do.

I would probably say the best way to make this happen is organize lots of people to write in to Frank and the other FRC leaders urging them to make this happen.

Re: A Moment of Silence
 

I'm still hoping we can do this at World's.
Here is our latest In Memory Of: http://www.chiefdelphi.com/media/photos/43171
They ALL will be missed :(