It was May 16th. Armed Forces Day.

Just moments earlier, the place was as noisy and raucous as a sporting event can possibly get. The Harley Davidsons had completed their flamboyantly scripted entrance onto the field of play, just as they had for the previous seven home pre-game shows of the Austin Wranglers Arena Football Team.

Then came the pyro explosions as the home players were introduced ... loud enough to almost shake the building, and certainly the stands - if that's possible. And then ... the public address announcer started his script ...

Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome ...
Purple Heart recipient ...
Army Staff Sergeant Robert Reynolds ...

Out of the entrance tunnel came this sharply uniformed soldier, escorted on each side by a member of the home team's dance squad ... moving slowly ... very slowly, because he was still recovering from injuries received in Iraq. As he moved with assistance toward the center of the field, the audience realized what was going on. The PA announcer continued ...

Please Welcome ... Purple Heart recipient ...
Army Sergeant George Barbary ...

One by one, this crowd of 11-thousand-plus in Austin's Frank Erwin Center got to their feet ...

Purple Heart recipient ...
Army Staff Sergeant Bryan David ...

The applause for each of these soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division grew and grew. It wasn't a "sports-type" of applause with all of the associated yells and calls ... No, it was strong and loud applause of respect and support. My play-by-play announcer stood up, the color announcer, engineer, stats guy -- ALL -- were standing and applauding. I had a huge lump in my throat ... and a tear in my eye.

Purple Heart recipient ...
Army Specialist Richard Thompson ...
Purple Heart recipient ...
Army Sergeant Benjamin Hayhurst ...

After all assembled at mid-field, accompanied by other members of their unit, the National Anthem was presented ... and by now, it seemed that this little "game" of football we were going to play, and announce, became so unimportant in the scheme of things.

But play and announce we did ... and the soldiers enjoyed it ... while they could. Because, some of them have to go back to Iraq after their wounds heal.

Yes. Some of them have to go back...while we play.