Quote:
Originally Posted by Wayne Doenges
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? |
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.