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Sweet(s) Talk: Packers sack Big Ben; veterans memorial redesigned; Predators football team saluted

(Matt McCarthy/Daily News photo) The U.S. Flag in the middle of the U.P. Veterans Memorial on top of Pine Mountain in Breitung Township blows in the wind on Sunday evening, with the top the ski jump and the peak of the recently constructed warming house in the distance.

This time of year always triggers my memory to several things, both sports and life related, and in a couple of cases, a combination of both. On Oct. 3, with tickets acquired from a friend of mine who lives in Medford, Wis. I attended the Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers game at Lambeau Field. I was very hesitant to go to a game this year, after refusing to watch a Packers game in 2020 due to their not honoring and observing the national anthem as many other NFL teams did in protest for civil rights.

What made my decision to attend one game this season was one main factor: The Pittsburgh Steelers were one of the few teams who didn’t disrespect the blanket of freedom provided for them by the men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. Did I want to see Steelers QB and future hall of famer Ben Rothelisberger play what was probably his last-ever game at Lambeau Field? Yes. Was it great to be back at Lambeau with over 79,000 people in attendance? Yes. Did I enjoy everything about the game-day experience that I have in the past? Yes, with one exception: I realized that “die-hard” mentality towards the Packers as a team and organization took a huge step back during the 2020 season. So much so, that something that used to give me so much joy this time of the year, was something I had to convince myself to do: attend a Packers game. I am glad I went; my pal Jim Stanchina Jr. and I enjoyed the game and the day. …

This time of year always brings back memories from high school, the fall of 1996 to be exact. Norway had a sensational team and football season that year. Lots of good memories from that season remain with myself and many others in the community and team members. But one thing that stands out to me about this time of year, one year later, was the fall of 1997, Nov. 4, was when I left home for Navy bootcamp in Great Lakes, Illinois. Then some six years, 10 months and 11 days later, on Sept. 15 2004, is when I was honorably discharged and returned home to live in Norway.

On Sunday, my wife April, our dog Lambeau and I went to see the new redesign of the U.P. Veterans Memorial, atop of Pine Mountain. Myself (Operation Enduring Freedom), my dad Fran (Vietnam-Army) and my deceased grandfather Ernie Lardenoit (WWII-Navy) each have a brick in the U.P. Veterans Memorial. I am not sure if we’re the only three-generation veterans with bricks up there, but I am proud to be honored with one with the two of them and the other fellow veterans who also have bricks up there. The fall colors from up there are quite a sight to see right now. …

A letter I obtained from Beecher-Dunbar-Pembine athletic director Anthony Erno that was sent to the WIAA, in regards to the Northern Elite Predators game at Crandon on Sept. 24, is certainly noteworthy. Both the Predators and Cardinals were commended by the five-man referee crew for their exceptional sportsmanship in the game. A couple of sentences in the letter really stood out to me: “Though the weather was lousy the sportsmanship that was displayed by the players, coaches and fans of both teams was spectacular.” Another was: “Our crew applauds the positive sportsmanship displayed so much so, that its obvious head coaches Bran Bousley (N.E) and Dan Witman (Crandon) have taught the most important skill of high school athletics, positive sportsmanship. In these challenging times we live in, this quality is that stands out even more.”

I personally witnessed the Predators’ great sportsmanship in their opening game of the season as well as the last, in covering both games. Positive attitudes go along way in life — Bravo coach Bousley, his staff and the entire Predators roster. This letter is something you should all be proud of. …

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