Wednesday, April 17, 2002
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Wednesday, April 17, 2002 |
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After 15 years in the Navy, F'ville is still home When I first heard that I had been selected to the Fayette County High School Sports Hall of Fame, I was forced to focus on a period in my life that I have not thought about in a long, long time. I kept hearing the song, "Glory Days," by Bruce Springsteen, every time I would start to think back on my high school and collegiate athletic career. It made me laugh in realizing how those days have truly passed me by. I would like to think that it is not that I can't physically do the things that I could do 10 or 15 years ago; it's just that I fear the pain that I am likely to feel for the next couple of days after. Seriously, though, I feel truly honored to be included in this ceremony. It is also an honor for me to be inducted with my (1987) classmates, Kerry Evert and Daphne Colclough. Like everyone else here, I enjoyed watching Kerry and Daphne in high school and feel lucky to be mentioned in their company today. One other inductee I would like to acknowledge is Craig Thomas. He probably does not realize it, but he had a huge influence on me and was my idol during my high school wrestling career. I wanted to be a state champ just like him, so his induction today makes this doubly special for me. I would like to thank the athletic Booster Club for supporting Fayette County Sports and the Hall of Fame. Thanks to the selection committee Howell McElroy, Charles Warr, Gary Phillips, Don Apking, Trig Dalrymple and Addison Lester for my selection. Thank you, Coach Charlie Sheets who introduced me to wrestling; Coach Glenn Lindsey for giving me a passion for the sport and teaching me to be a winner; Coach Kirk Hoffman who taught me to be a champion. Responsibility for my success in high school and beyond belongs to my parents, Row and Chip Anderson. Without their support, guidance, and love, I never would have been able to come close to the accomplishments that I have been fortunate enough to achieve. Everything that I am today is because of them. A special thanks goes to my wife, Lisa Addison Anderson, for her continued support during our naval career. Finally, on behalf of the USS Theodore Roosevelt Battle Group, I'd like to thank everyone back home for the tons of support that we have received over the past six months. Like everyone else, we were shocked and saddened by the events of Sept. 11. Those feelings gradually shifted to anger and a renewed sense of purpose that we have been fortunate enough to bring to bear on those who wish to harm our great nation and its citizens. The successes of Operation Enduring Freedom, however, would not have been possible without the love and prayers from the many people of Fayette County. Your support has made our job much easier. After almost 15 years in the Navy and after living in numerous places throughout the country, I am still proud to call Fayetteville my home. I look forward to my next visit so that I can thank you personally for today and support for the past six months. Jeffrey T. Anderson, LCDR USN USS Theodore Roosevelt
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