Saturday, November 8, 2008

Rededication of Darrell K. Royal Texas Memorial Stadium

Our family had an exciting opportunity Friday as my dad was invited to attend the rededication ceremony of the Darrell K. Royal - Texas Memorial Stadium after the recent remodeling of the North End Zone. The Veterans' Memorial was relocated to the North End Zone gate and renamed for longtime Longhorn and WWII Veteran and Silver Star recipient, Frank Denius. Byron LOVED football, so he would think that the invitation to participate in this ceremony would be awesome! I was on a high all day long after this!


My dad sat on the stage, along with another Gold Star Mother and veterans from all conflicts.


Legendary coach, Darrell K. Royal, proudly showing his Hook 'em Horns during the Fight Song.



The Longhorn Band played the National Anthem, the Eyes of Texas and the Texas Fight Song!
They were so LOUD and AWESOME!!!




They had a flyover in the Missing Man formation with old bomber planes.



University of Texas ROTC units from each branch were present.






Frank Denius, Longhorn and WWII Vet, for whom the Frank Denius Veterans Memorial Plaza is now named for. He teared up as he spoke of the sacrifices made throughout history on behalf of this country.



Legendary UT Women's Basketball Coach, Jody Conrad.



Taps, played by a lone Longhorn trumpet player.
I never can make it through this without crying - I'm sure I never will.


Me with my sister, Grayson, a UT graduate.


Dad, meeting an American hero, Frank Denius.



We were excited to meet Coach Darrell Royal! David, Coach Royal, Grayson and Dad.
Yup, me behind the camera!



We attended a reception upstairs in the new North End Zone Club Suite.
Whew! What a view of the game!!!
Perhaps we'll be able to purchase these season tickets someday soon...right after we hit the lotto!




Grayson and I with Iraqi War wounded veteran,
Army Pfc. Alan Babin.


Giant longhorn, on the wall as you enter the Club Suite.



University of Texas Tower, which glows orange after every Longhorn win for each sport.



The Frank Denius Veterans Memorial Plaza




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Freedom Journey


In December of 2006, just 2 years after Byron died in Iraq, we decided to take a "Freedom Journey." We spent 3weeks on a road trip through the eastern US - from Austin east to Savannah, then all the way north to New England, and back a little inland to Texas. We traveled over 6000 miles in an effort to see our beautiful country and understand what Byron sacrificed his life for. We drove scenic routes, through small towns and big cities, stopping at places that held history in shaping our nation. We stopped at Veteran's Memorials, National Cemeteries, historical monuments and some of the most beautiful places in America. In each place, we left a "Freedom Rock," a smooth stone that had Byron's name and KIA date on one side, and said "Freedom Isn't Free" on the other. It was our way of taking Byron with us and leaving a bit of him in each special place. This experience was so healing for us, and truly one of the most memorable and special events of our entire lives. Here are our favorite pictures from the Freedom Journey.