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Events

National Day of Prayer

May 1, 2014 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The first Thursday of May is designated as the National Day of Prayer and people from all over the country will gather at flag poles for “See you at the Pole” events to pray for our country, our government, and good leaders. At our local school district students will meet in front first thing in the morning to observe the National Day of Prayer. To pray in Jesus name to ask Him to come into our lives, give us peace, hope, unity and strength. 

History of the National Day of Prayer

You might be surprised to learn that it was the United States government under President Truman that enacted the first official Day of Prayer.

The National Day of Prayer (36 U.S.C. § 119)[1] is an annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked “to turn to God in prayer and meditation”. Each year since its inception, the president has signed a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day.[2] The modern law formalizing its annual observance was enacted in 1952; however, days of prayer have been called for since 1775, when the Continental Congress designated a time for prayer in forming a new nation.[3]http://en.wikipedia.org

Prayer and religious freedom is why the United States was founded. People escaped from religious persecution and found a home in America where they could worship freely. Now, more than ever we need to remember this. The Christian faith is being attacked from all sides. The military is limiting outward signs of prayer and faith. However, at least in the Marine Corps, chaplains, faith and God are a cornerstone. A prayer is said by the chaplain during the graduation ceremony.

Marine Corp Champlain leading off the graduation
Marine Corp Chaplain, Captain Johnson, leading off the graduation with prayer

The National Day of Prayer has been challenged over the years by the Freedom of Religion Foundation, but they have lost several times. When such government entities dating back to  1775 and the Continental Congress reaches all the modern day governors from all fifty states, there is support that no many can put asunder. 

Let’s continue to keep God, Christ, faith, and prayer in the United States, our country and out hearts.

 

Listen to “We Pray”, recorded for the National Day of Prayer

How will you recognize the National Day of Prayer? Will you attend a rally, have a small group. Or will you prayer privately, alone with your Father who knows and hears all things. Regardless of how you prayer, just pray, not just today, but every day. If you don’t know what to pray, or how to start, start with the Lords Prayer, which is the perfect prayer.

Links to the National Day of Prayer

National Day of Prayer to Encourage a United Voice

Thursday marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer. This year’s theme is “One Voice, United in Prayer.” An estimated 40,000 people nationwide will mark the day with special events, including many at local and national government buildings.
And furthermore … National Day of Prayer

Thursday is the National Day of Prayer. Now more than ever, it is appropriate to offer thanks, ask forgiveness and seek guidance. Private gatherings to offer prayers for our city, state and nation are appropriate. Indeed, they are essential. A local …
Does Fox News Know That Shirley Dobson Sees National Day Of Prayer As …

Fox News, in attacking the Military Freedom From Religion Foundation, provided a warm and affirming platform for the National Day of Prayer. Megyn Kelly interviewed former Focus on the Family head, Dr. Pat Dobson, and his wife Shirley Dobson, both of …
National Day of Prayer to Encourage a United Voice – US …

Thursday marks the 63rd annual National Day of Prayer. The theme this year: One Voice, United in Prayer.
National Day of Prayer 2014 – American Association of …

May 1st marks the 63rd Annual National Day of Prayer Celebration, and we encourage you join the hundreds of thousands of Americans who will be assembling across the nation! From the country’s inception, many of our …
 

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: christ the lord, christianity, Faith, God, government, national day of prayer, pray, prayer, religion, Religion & Spirituality

Inspirational Moments in Sports: Nebraska Huskers Jack Hoffman

April 6, 2013 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Inspirational Moments in Sports

Team Jack,  aka Jack Hoffman and the Nebraska Cornhuskers, has forever changed the best inspirational moments in sports and I don’t think that is going to change soon. What started as a six-year old’s last wish, to meet his favorite Husker football player turned into an ESPN 2013 Best Moment in Sports history.

Sports is about more than winning. The team is more than just individuals. Support Team Jack as the Nebraska Huskers help raise money for pediatric brain cancer with a donation or an official Nebraska licensed brain tumor shirt.

Nebraska Husker football is not just a game, it’s an event.

Even during the spring game, the carnival environment is in full force with food, tailgating and getting together with family and friends.

Nebraska football tailgating at a Husker game is legendary. College football is not just a game here, it's an event.
University of Minnesota visits the Huskers in Lincoln Nebraska

Unforgettable Moment at the Nebraska Football Spring Game

The Nebraska Huskers are not only a football powerhouse team, but the players on this spring day in 2013 showed their very human side as it was just not a football game, but a lesson in compassion and integrity. Bo Pelini leads his players through a scrimmage and gave 60,000 fans a memory they will never forget.

Yes, you heard right.

Sixty thousand plus fans come out every year just to watch the Red: White game where the first team scrimmages against the second team in the final spring practice before the pre-season practice in late summer. The highest attendance of any NCAA team in the country. Why are Nebraska fans so loyal? You will soon find out.

The Nebraska football spring game is normally a glorified practice. But this one will stick out in my mind as the best one yet.

Team Jack Hoffman ESPN Espy 2012  Best Moment on Sports History
Jack gets his dream, score a touchdown for the Huskers.

Even during the spring game, the carnival environment is in full force with food, tailgating and getting together with family and friends.

Not only were “special” drills sprinkled in throughout the quarters as a “game break” to give the fans a taste of creative drills such as the “Good Hands” and the “Never Give Up” drill, but a special 4th quarter touchdown was made my a special seven-year-old player, Jack Hoffman.

Nebraska Husker football is not just a game, it’s an event.

Nebraska Husker Football

Jack Hoffman has been a special fan and friend of Rex Burkehead for two years and the whole team has gathered around him and supported him in his fight against pediatric brain cancer called Team Jack Foundation. Saturday he wore Burkehead’s number 22 and ran 69 yards for a touchdown which actually went on the board for the Red team.

There were very few dry eyes in the stadium and the entire team rushed the end zone and held Jack high on their shoulders. Watch for yourself and maybe, just maybe, the lesson that sports are more than just winning will be apparent.

2025 Update on Jack Hoffman

On January 15, 2025 Jack Hoffman died of brain cancer at age 18. It has hit the State of Nebraska hard. So many of us, including myself remember this game, and remember how he inspired the players. As a young boy he won an ESPN Espy award, met President Obama, and hi foundation has raised more than $14 million to aid pediatric brain cancer research.

Sports is about more than winning. The team is more than just individuals. Support Team Jack as the Nebraska Huskers help raise money for pediatric brain cancer with a donation.

Filed Under: Events Tagged With: athletes, Bo Pelini, Brain tumor, cancer patient, espn, espy awards, football, Husker Football, jack hoffman, National Collegiate Athletic Association, NCAA, Nebraska, Nebraska Cornhuskers, nebraska husker football, nebraska huskers, sports, Taylor Martinez, team jack

It’s Time for Nebraska Big Red Football

November 23, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The Phenomenon of Husker Football

It is time for Nebraska Big Red Football and if you live in Nebraska, the Midwest, or are a fan of college football you may of heard how passionate Husker fans are about their football, the players and their coaches. One person in particular strikes a solemn awe in Nebraskans, and that would be Tom Osborne. However, this is NOT your typical football blog post.

I Did NOT Grow up in Nebraska

The Nebraska Football ExperienceMy husband is just a little bit passionate about “his” team, me I like college football, but I grew up in Connecticut and went to Oklahoma State during the Barry Sanders years. (It was awesome!)

So, I’m not a dyed in the wool Nebraska fan. I do enjoy it though, for many reasons. First off, I like watching my husband enjoy a game. It’s like he’s back in college again.

Nebraskans are passionate about their Huskers, especially the football team. It’s a way of life in the state. When Nebraska alums move out of state they often find sports bars and form their own clubs. They have the most loyal following of any visiting team in the country. The Big Red is highly coveted for Bowl games just because our fans will travel.

100 Things Nebraska Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (100 Things...Fans Should Know)100 Things Nebraska Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die (100 Things…Fans Should Know)What It Means to Be a HuskerWhat It Means to Be a HuskerThe Nebraska WayThe Nebraska WayHit 'em with Your Handbag: How Four Friends Helped Change Husker FootballHit ’em with Your Handbag: How Four Friends Helped Change Husker Football

&

Memorial Stadium is sold out game after game and still holds the NCAA record for consecutive number of sellouts. However, if you want tickets they can be found. Often just walking up to the stadium just before game time you can buy them at face value. We are lucky (and thankful) that a friend from church offers to sell me their football tickets from time to time. In fact the first time she offered, the conversation went a little bit like this.

“Hi Dawn, I heard you might be interested in our Husker tickets this weekend?”

“Sure Betsy, Randy was going to be up in a tree stand deer hunting..” I look back at Randy in the kitchen, “..but judging on the look on his face I think he’d rather go to the game. It will be an early birthday present.” (I’ve been told I can’t say how old he’s turning, anyone want to guess?

Waiting for the Tunnel Walk, think he's excited?
Waiting for the Husker Tunnel Walk, think he’s excited?

The Loudest College Football Stadium in the Country

We got to the game early, it’s been said that only Nebraska fans show up in the stadium and hour early so they can watch warm ups. Well, we were there at least an hour ahead of time. That’s ok, I had my camera to play with and there was plenty of photo ops. The atmosphere in Lincoln Nebraska is like no other experience. Fans start tailgating at 9 am for a 2 pm game. Nebraska fans are also know for their hospitality towards visiting teams.

Nebraska Tailgating At It’s Best

Nebraska football tailgating at a Husker game is legendary. College football is not just a game here, it's an event.

Nebraska doesn’t have a professional football team in the state, but we make up for it with the Huskers. Husker fans take their Nebraska football tailgating seriously. Tents are erected, parking lots for a surrounding mile are rented.

Corporations rent space under the viaduct for catered parties and millions of dollars are spent on customizing trucks, vans, and party buses, all equipped with satellite televisions, grills and smokers.

Nebraska Corn Huskers NCAA Round Table Outdoor Patio TailgatingNebraska Corn Huskers NCAA Round Table Outdoor Patio TailgatingBest of Times Collegiate Patio Bar and Tailgating CenterBest of Times Collegiate Patio Bar and Tailgating CenterNebraska Cornhuskers Party Supplies Pack #3Nebraska Cornhuskers Party Supplies Pack #3NCAA 2' x 8' Tailgate Table NCAA Team: NebraskaNCAA 2′ x 8′ Tailgate Table NCAA Team: Nebraska

&

Today we played Minnesota (2012), and for one of the few times this season we were pretty much assured a win. By how much would be the question. (Gotta keep reading to see by how much)

University of Minnesota visits the Huskers in Lincoln Nebraska
University of Minnesota visits the Huskers in Lincoln Nebraska

Saturdays attendance topped out at 85,330 and the Huskers still lead the NCAA record for number of sell outs for a college football team. An added bonus is getting to watch our local Elmwood-Murdock graduate play for the Huskers. Sam Burtch (below) was a freshman coming out of his red shirt year in 2012 and graduated with my son David. Sam has won Scout team MVP several times and has seen playing time during many games.

Sam Burtch, red shirt Husker freshman
Sam Burtch, red shirt Husker freshman

The game also represented  Tom Osbornes 500th official game and tribute ran from the pregame, to halftime and post game. Many people shed a tear, including my husband. The stadium reverberates with excitement and it’s something only to be experienced. The crowd, the noise, and the excitement of everyone in the stands is palatable, you can feel the vibration from your feet to your ears. It is infectious.

So really, going to a Nebraska football game is more than just the game, it’s an event. The camaraderie of the fans is second to none and even when they are beat by another team they are gracious and courteous to the fans of the opposing team. Husker fans don’t like to lose. Bill Callahan and Bo Pellini were evidence of that, but we don’t take it out on the visitors from out of state.

Nebraska Big Red Football
Tom Osborne and Coach Pelini do the tunnel walk together (can you spot them?)

Taylor Martinez completed 21-of-29 passes for 308 yards on the day, his third 300-yard passing day on the season and the fourth of his career. His favorite target was Bell, as the sophomore wide receiver hauled in a career-high nine catches for a career-high 137 yards with two touchdowns.

By the way Nebraska won 38-14, in case you were wondering.

Nebraska notched its fifth consecutive victory to improve to 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the Big Ten. The Huskers registered their fifth straight nine-win season under Head Coach Bo Pelini and moved a win away from clinching the Big Ten Legends Division title. NU closes its regular season at Iowa in the Heroes Game on Friday, Nov. 23 at 11 a.m. That game will be televised nationally by ABC.

Greatest Fans in College Football
Greatest Fans in College Football

 

If you didn’t think Husker fans were fanatical check out all the official licensed products and gifts. you can get everything from Husker t-shirts to a Husker toilet seat cover, honestly search for it below.

More on Big Red Football

Nebraska Big Red Football 2011: Bo’s Foundation Is Taking …

Hello Husker nation and sports fans around the world. Less then a week till kickoff and other then injuries up front for the offense, it sounds like the.

Well-Known Coaches Commit to Tom Tribute – Huskers.com …

… host Chris Fowler and ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe will be catalysts for interactive dialogues and salutes that will honor Osborne’s contributions to the state of Nebraska, Big Red football and service to our country.

Recruits ready to show off skills : Sports – Lincoln Journal Star

“I mean, top in the nation, offensive line commits — whoo!” Okafor said. “You can never be unhappy with that.” The first session of Nebraska’s Big Red Football School certainly would elicit smiles from Husker recruiting junkies.

Filed Under: Events, Photography Tagged With: Bo Pelini, college football, Elmwood-Murdock, football, Husker, Lincoln Nebraska, Memorial stadium, Nebraska, nebraska big red football, Nebraska Cornhuskers, Photography, sports, Taylor Martinez, Tom Osborne

“Brother, My Brother”, a Tribute to Veterans

November 14, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

On Veterans Monday I had the opportunity to merge two of my passions, my pride for my sons in the Marine Corp and my love of music, specifically the Elmwood-Murdock choir and band. Just wanted to share a preview of the the choirs song, “Brother My Brother” before I put together the full post, which will recap both schools and the local G.A.R museum.

It’s obvious this song was written with the American Civil War in mind, but I couldn’t find any other history. If anyone can point me in the direction I’d love to add it to the post.

Lyrics “Brother, My Brother”

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall
And his eyes will look away

For his heart will so be torn
As his fields of gold turn scarlet
From the rage of battle born
And the silence of the night
Will be broken by the cries
Of the ones who’ve been forgotten
On the quiet field where honor lies

Give me now a splendid sun
With all his light full clear
Give me now a gentle autumn
Before the dying of the year
And some green unbloodied grass
While I can still see far
Give me one night on a river
And one unfailing star

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall

My favorite Veterans Day piece the choir sang, by far, is the one a did a few years back of the choir singing Flanders Field. Take a look you won’t regret it!

Filed Under: Events, Military Pride, Small Town Living Tagged With: American Civil War, choir, choral, Elmwood-Murdock, history, Holiday, marine, military, music, Nebraska, patriotic, rural, singing, small town, veterans day, video

A Marine Mom’s Real Fear

November 7, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Camp Bastion Attack

On Friday September 15, 2012  two Marines were killed at Camp Bastion in Southern Afghanistan by what is claimed to be a Taliban attack.  This was just just a few days after the September 11, attack on Bengazi. This series of events sent a chill through my spine. My oldest Marine son had just returned from Leatherneck/Bastion in August (OEF 12.1) and I was thankful to have him home during his post deployment leave.

He was assigned to MALS 16, or Marine Aviation Logistics and spent his time between the hangers, the flight line, and the warehouse. He worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week on night crew, during the same time the attacks occurred. He always assured me he was safe, there hadn’t been IDF (indirect fire) the whole time while he was there. He was inside the wire with nothing to worry about.

This created a false security with Mom back in Nebraska. I had the attitude that he was just as safe on this base as he was in Yuma. (Which in a way is a good way to view a deployment) Marines are told “Don’t give information that would cause your family back home to worry”

Marine in Afghanistan

How wrong I was. He could have been in the Harrier hanger when it was bombed, it was his replacements who got injured.  Thoughts run through my mind now of how I would be feeling had my son still been deployed and working in the shop on night shift. Could I even sleep until I knew he was safe? I’m sure I would be calling his FRO (Family Readiness Officer) for the latest news. But he’s stateside now, I got to hug him and tell him I love him. He’s safe and I thank God for bringing him home.

During his leave he showed me his deployment photos and where slept in the barracks  “next to the wire”. I’ve heard the phrases “outside the wire”, “inside the wire”, and there is a big distinction between the two. For those Marines who never get “outside the wire” moving “next to the wire” may be a subtle difference, but it’s a big deal. The small huts I saw in the photos were the same ones described in news accounts that may of aided in the attack. (don’t have permission to post those, for OPSEC can only publish non distinct photos without landmarks)

He said it was kinda crazy being able to see the wire and know just beyond, within eyesight, was clear and present danger.

AEF 12.1 Camp Bastion, Afghanistan
AEF 12.1 Camp Bastion, Afghanistan

Many Marines were disarmed previously in the year, and unarmed, although my son told me his unit always carried their weapons with clips. (see above) It has been over two years since the Benghazi and Bastion attacks of 2012 and my son is still outraged over what happened and the coverup. Families are still trying to get answers over a year later on how this happened. A year later four Marines from my son’s base in Yuma Arizona received the Purple Hearts they deserved.

I pray for the all Marines and troops in harms way and for their families at home worrying about them. Although I am furious at the indifference the media seems to have on the incredible increase of attacks and violence against Americans and our allies in the Middle East and Muslim countries.

The attack on Bengazi, the lack of media attention and outrage baffles me. I remember the Beruit embassy attack and it was plastered all over TV and as a country we were outraged. The initial report of the Ambassador and three other Americans seem to be a diluted way of not recognizing that two Navy Seals were killed.

President Obama was quick to point out their responsibility in killing Osama Bin Laden, but does not give them the credence and recognition when they are killed in the line of duty.

So many emotions run through the mind of a Marine Mom, I can’t help but think of my son and the Marines of Yuma Arizona when I hear Camp Bastion, Camp Leatherneck, or even Benghazi. It makes me furious when politicians minimize the cost, risks, or try and hide the truth. What Difference Does it Make? A lot. Just ask the families and follow #whatdifferencedoesitmake on Twitter to learn more.

Related articles
  • One Year Later: Camp Bastion Families Still Fighting for Answers
  • Two Marines Killed at Afghan Base, Prince Harry Safe (newsy.com)
  • Attack on Afghan base kills 2 Marines (cnn.com)
  • Marines killed in airfield attack were stationed at Yuma, Ariz. (latimesblogs.latimes.com)
  • Required Reading for Marines

Filed Under: Events, Marine Corps, Military Pride Tagged With: Afghanistan, Bastion, Bengazi, Benghazi, camp bastion, Camp Leatherneck, embassies, marine, Marine Aviation Logistics, middle east, military, politics, taliban, troops, United States Marine Corps, USMC, war

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