A Moment of Silence

[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?

[Coach Norm]

+ one this.

I think this is a great idea.

[Carolyn_Grace]

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?

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

[MysterE]

I agree wholeheartedly with this as well.

[Steven Smith]

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

[Bob Steele]

Excellent idea
We need to help and make this happen.

[Libby K]

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.

[waialua359]

Originally Posted by Libby K

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

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.

[DonRotolo]

+1 on this.

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

[emelton]

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

[Animal Control]

+1 from the entire 2345 Animal Control team

[Wayne Doenges]

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

[801DOC]

Originally Posted by Wayne Doenges

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

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

[Libby K]

Originally Posted by Wayne Doenges

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

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

We'll see.

[Tungrus]

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.