Just Another Two Cents

While I love my Saturday football as much as the next person (or not) - I do have another pet peeve or two to report - to probably no one, but that's ok too.  Does anyone know when the TV stations quit showing any part of (and I mean - not ONE iota, i.e. not one second) of the college marching bands at half-time?  I can also include the local TV stations too - because when was the last time you saw a marching high school football band at half-time on the Friday night highlight reel?  When I was in HS and college, band was a BIG thing at school.  I never had the privilege of being a member of any band (other than playing piano and organ at church) - but I always loved the band performances, majorettes, flag line, and all the ambience of half time activities.  When many would visit the concession stands during half-time - I would marvel at the marching band and take it all in.  I also enjoyed watching the activities at half time on TV.  That's before TV commentators took over, updating other game scores or commenting (sometimes unfairly) on the progress of the current teams playing.  Rarely, if ever nowadays, do we even get a glimpse of the hard-working, talented marching bands of today.  Fortunately, we can still hear them bellow over the announcers voices when touchdowns are made.  I am thankful for at least that much.  But it's a disgrace that they are not featured as they should be as back in the good old days.  I remember when my daughter was in junior high and high school, as a band member - she played the clarinet and also was on the flag line.  We were so blessed to have a leader and band teacher who truly valued and appreciated the art of band.  He was a brilliant teacher, leader, and talented man.  Even moreso, he was a tremendous human being.  Sadly, he suddenly passed away the summer before my daughter's senior year.  Courtney and her best friend, Lawren - who was especially close to Mr. Platt and his family, were devastated.  The entire community mourned this very special man.  He had assembled an awarding winning 300+ student marching band that was second to none in the nation.  We had the largest marching band for a high school that I had ever seen or heard about.  And the students and parents adored him.  There was not an empty seat in the football stadium when the school and community payed their final respects to Mr. Platt and his family.   I say 'final' only because that is how such occasions are commonly referred to.   Respect for him will never die - nothing will ever be final about Mr. Platt and the love and respect we all feel for him and his family.  Even if bands are not given the proper attention/recognition or respect they deserve, some of us still love the tradition of the marching band.  TV can never take that from us.