Intoxicated by patriotism, we watched as our nation sang to us in colorful

snaps, crackles and pops. Bigger and better than ever before, the 1998

Boomsday celebration left eyes blinded by bright lights and hearts branded

with America’s song.

It was a great day to be an American. Just hours after the most prestigious

record in baseball was tied, East Tennessee was able to experience another

proud moment for our nation. Honoring those who work for the American

Dream, and those who help lay the foundation that our free world rests

upon, we celebrated the day in style. Complete with burgers, beers and

potato salad, it was the ideal Labor Day bash.

Night’s black canvas created the perfect backdrop for the amazing works.

Wide eyes had to be squinted when the skies lit up with hearts, numbers and

letters that coincided with the medley of American tunes. The simulcast was

spectacular as the explosions danced to the music and lip-synched to the

toe-tapping tunes. The Jackson 5 even got a piece of the magic with the

incredible display of ABCs and 123s that hung over the Henley Street

Bridge, seemingly suspended by the energy of the crowd. And of course, what

night in America would be complete without a chilling visit from

Titanic‘s Jack and Rose.

The music, the people, the sights and the food all painted a picture that

illustrated America’s story. The crowd of 225,000 looked up and out at the

sights as the spectacular colors trickled slowly down the Henley Street

Bridge. Heartbeats joined the chorus as the booms echoed through our veins

causing surges of spine-tingling warmth to grab hold. The feeling was

contagious as pride and smiles hit the night like an epidemic.

In a time when our nation’s leader is of questionable moral and ethical

nature, the celebration was like a breath of fresh air. It renewed pride in

America, rethreading the needle that sews the fabric of our nation. Monica

and Bill were far from the minds of East Tennesseans who were reminded what

America is all about. Though America’s image is often scathed with scandal

and crime, no trace of trouble permeated the joy and pride of Boomsday ’98.

Finally, Monica and Bill–even if only for a brief moment–were

overshadowed by something truly American.

While recent headlines reflect that these have not been the proudest days

in American history, Monday night’s fireworks sparked the light at the end

of that tunnel. Chills ran through the crowds as Lee Greenwood sang “…And

I’m proud to be an American…” from his best known song “God Bless the

USA”. And we should be proud; we have reason to be proud. We have stock in

the greatest nation in the world, and it is ours to have and to hold–not

even death part us.

It is often difficult to tear the Orange and White from East Tennesseans,

but Monday night we wore our nation’s uniform with pride and honor. The

orange-bleeding Vol fans were able to give their colors a rest and cling to

the Red, White and Blue; something bigger than themselves, bigger than the

Vols and bigger than Rocky Top. It is this intangible thing known as

patriotism that has inspired our country to fight for freedom, to work for

freedom, and to celebrate that very freedom.

We come to Tennessee from the many nooks and crannies of our nation, and

though we maintain our regional traits, we adopt the UT spirit. Whether we

left the New York City skyline or the California sun, we have made our way

to the hills of Tennessee. But Monday night, hometowns did not matter;

Monday night, we were all American, all part of the family. Even our

foreign friends were able to experience some of the good stuff that our

country is made of.

With America’s heart still beaming from McGwire’s homer, the night truly

worked. It was like eating apple pie while sitting in a ballpark, hands

across hearts, standing for the national anthem. Like fighting in the front

lines to preserve our nation’s freedom; like wearing blue jeans and driving

a Ford through the Amber Waves of Grain.

It didn’t matter if we watched from the bluffs, the street, the Hill, the

stadium or our living room couch. Boomsday was the party of the year and we

were invited by the most gracious of hosts: our very own nation, the proud

and true United States of America.