They won again the next year, but I think the second year they were just showing off. You may remember it as the game where Devon White made that stunning catch against the wall and nearly started a triple play. teams congratulated each other and returned our respective flags. And then Anne Murray walked off to the loudest cheers I have ever heard.īack in the hall, the Mounties and U.S. It is an amazing performance, and a powerful moment. If you've never seen or heard it you should check it out. I know they were sound waves, but it felt like waves of patriotism as they sang that last line. But the thing I remember most is, what class these people have.Īnd the last line, it sounded twice as loud. It was one proud and glorious voice, the voice of Canada. They were letting everyone know how they felt. There was something in the way they were singing. Even if you weren't Canadian, you had to stand. I don't think anyone in the stadium was sitting. True patriots indeed, they stood guard for Canada that night. "True patriot love in all thy sons commandĪnd they sing with her, to the world, for Canada. I probably have the easiest job out there.Īnd then, as one, the whole stadium sings in that low rumbling sound that only 50,000 people can make. My flag, the national colors, is never dipped. When she sings "O," I give the command, "Present Arms," the rifles salute and Mickey presents the Marine Colors. It was as if Elvis had risen from the dead and appeared to sing the American national anthem. I didn't realize she was that big of a deal in Canada. You would have thought the Queen had walked on the field. As a lifelong Yankees fan, I am somewhat disoriented by this reaction.Īnd then Anne Murray comes out. The crowd sings along to the American national anthem, and cheers when it is done. I don't know if we would have made it out alive if we had saluted the Canadian Colors to the American national anthem. Jon Secada comes out, and when he starts singing "Oh say can you see," which is usually my cue, I give the preparatory command "Present" and Staff Sergeant Mickey Aviles says "Gunny, we got the Canadian Flag." I said, "As you were." That's "never mind" in civilian talk. Present arms (and flags) is a two-part command: a preparatory command, a one-second pause and then a command of execution. What I am about to tell you, only four people in the world knew until now – we were one second away from another international incident. The noise is like standing behind a jet engine. The Mounties march out and the place erupts with cheers. To correct this unfortunate error and show their true respect for the Canadian people, the Marine Guard has requested the privilege of again carrying the flag of Canada and has requested that the Stars and Stripes be carried by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police." Then we hear this announcement: "The Commandant of the United States Marine Corps regrets the incident that occurred in Atlanta and offers his apology. I tell him no and he says, "Good luck, now go show them how this is supposed to be done."ĭarla is talking into the radio and says, "They're ready." She says to us, "Good luck, boys." Corporal Jim Hillyard of the RCMP asks if there is anything else they can do for us. The Mounties say to give them about a 50-foot headstart and then we would both get to our posts at about the same time. I didn't realize that we were going to post ourselves between second and third base, but it was way easier. Since the Mounties have our flag, they are going to march out first and post themselves between first and second base. Not a chance! The last thing I want to do is swap flags and tie them anew. They ask whether we want to exchange flags, or leave them on the staff and use each other's flag and staff. As we pull around the stadium, dressed in civvies, we see people selling and wearing T-shirts that show the Canadian flag, and underneath are the words – upside down – "No hard feelings, eh."
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