73 Blue

WEEK 6 BEARS BEAT REPORT

It’s 2025 and the United States is steeped in conflict with Middle Eastern powers. I’ve changed career paths from beat reporter to war journalist.

Twelve months ago volunteers were asked to sign onto a dreadful mission for which only 18 agreed. The mission known as Operation Wildcat named after its enemy. The objective, to infiltrate during a great celebration known as “homecoming”, occupy a land-mass 120 yards long by 53.3 yards wide, and hold it until American reinforcements arrive.

Can you believe the 18 volunteers were the same 18 boys that played Bloomingdale BEAR football when I was their Beat Reporter? I took pictures, here is what I saw.

Entrenched in Wildcat territory 18 young men struggle to find the will to press forward as they huddle together in their foxhole, tired, cold, wet, and losing hope. Mortar crashing down causes despair to loom heavy.

Colonel LOGAN called for the attention of his Company. “Listen-up,” LOGAN shouted above the trees cracking under the weight of heavy artillery, “We… are… in… the path of a firefight like we have never seen! But, do not lose faith, success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom, and right now gentlemen you’ve hit rock bottom. I want each of you right now to close your eyes. Think back. Remember how high you bounced when we all played football together against WEST CHICAGO, when we were truly a Band Of Brothers. Don’t forget how we were Bloomingdale BEARS once and I want you to use the success of that triumphant day to motivate you right now to be the smartest, toughest, and strongest green army man that you can be!”

TONY took off his legion of merit and threw it at the enemy. In a cry out to rally, Tony declared, “Yeah, I had solo-tackles against West Chicago, so what, I’m tired of individual accolades. Life as it is sports is a team game, and this war is a team game, let’s go Band Of Brothers, just like victory at West Chicago, either lead me, follow me, or get out of my way.”

“Colonel LOGAN?” LOGAN turned his head, “Yes MAD MAX” Logan replied. “Colonel, I do remember the West Chicago game. It truly was a thing of beauty. It was a Sunday afternoon game. We started late, 5:00 p.m., an away game at West Chicago High School. We beat dem’ goons 41 to 0. It was their homecoming game poor fellows.”

“Agreed Max!” Marki stated. “After that game our team was a solid 4 and 2 record. Max, you were a huge part of that victory and you helped me bring honor to my family name. During that game I ran the ball for 97 yards I scored touchdowns and I made 5 tackles.”

Garrett was shocked, he looked over and said, “Marki, don’t be modest, your effort on the field is what legends are made of. You scored two touchdowns, one for a score of 48 yards and the other 32 yards. You accepted the challenge so that others could feel the joy of victory! Thank you.”

Shea jumped on Garrett’s back in a friendly way, said to him, “don’t ever forget here in this foxhole you are our Gunner scoring big points, and when we were BEARS you were our Gunner scoring big points. Two massive touchdowns, one for 33 yards, and the second for 61 yards.” Pushing Garrett in his chest filing him with energy, Shea finished, “You were the man that game!”

In a moment of total recall Staff Sargent Frankie Bucaro declared, “Field Grade against West Chicago was Anthony Guida, Michele Vavalle, and Nik Kuhn. The BEARS rushed for 350 total yards. I had a huge score. My first TD of the season happened…. Corporal Kuhn.” “Yes Frankie.” Kuhn replied. “How many tackles did Vavalle have that day?” “You had 4 jaw-dropping tackles Sir.” “No!” Frankie scolded. "That’s not what I asked, I’m asking about Vavalle.” “Sir I apologize. Sir, 5, Sir!” Frankie then asked, “and how come he had so many tackles KUHN?” Kuhn replied, “because Vavalle’s core values are to be an animal Sir, to hit the edge like a lion.” “That’s right KUHN, hit that edge, fly off the ball, that’s what we do, HOORAH!” “HOORAH Sir, I had 3 tackles and pushed kids to the ground all day Sir is that what I should do?” Frankie answered,“that’s right Kuhn, you did, keep that up, push kids to the ground, god, football, and pushing kids to the ground, those are our core values!”

When words were not enough, the Band Of Brothers could always count on Nathan to lead them in song. In a moment when the soldiers were weak, Nathan, Fancy Dance Horn did not disappoint. He started low, finished loud and motivated his Brothers. Together they chanted their favorite war whoop over and over again, “We will, We will… Eat your Ham-bur-ger, and your French … Fries, and your Little Shake … 1.5!!!”

Lieutenant Sam, feeling confident after Horn’s whoop pounded his chest yelling, “Semper Fi, Do or Die!” Anthony got Sam’s attention. “Sam?” asked Anthony. "Yes Anthony?” “Sammy, my memory is shot, is it true you had 7 tackles against West Chicago?” Sam replied, “I don’t brag son … and you had 2 huge tackles also.” A bit defeated, Anthony said, “I know I had 2 but you had 7, isn’t that more tackles than any player in a single game?” “I don’t brag Ant.” Anthony asked again, “But it’s true you scored an extra point that day too?” “Ant, I don’t Brag.” “Sam, didn’t those Wildcat’s beg you to stop punishing them?” “I can’t brag Ant.” In a final effort, Anthony asked, “Isn’t it true that you’re awesome?” Sam smiled, “Well. . . what’s true is true!!!”

Alone and in the far corner of the foxhole Captain Nick Degen rose from sitting on his knees in the mud and surprised his soldiers by calling out “lima lima mike foxtrot, ready….set…..hike! Were gonna get you, were not scared, get ready to clean our latrine!” Private Pennington grabbed Nick Degen to encourage him more, “Alright! Now Nicky’s into it. Let’s go. Nicky, remember that West Chicago game? It was your break out party. You recovered a fumble, made a tackle at mike linebacker, rushed for 48 yards, scored a 26 yard TD, and snuck one in for an extra point. What a jar-head…HOORAH!” “HOORAH, Pennington!” Nick yelled back at Sean. “Don’t forget your head-bouncing tackle and blocking for all of us all game and all season. Your courage under fire brought us to the promise land. Take my purple heart Sean you deserve all the credit. Thank you!”

TYLER was quiet and pulled Dylan over close and said, “hey these guys seem to forget that you were the first one to catch a pass in the end zone. First against Glen Ellyn Black and then West Chicago.” Dylan agreed, “Right, I know, and those extra points are worth 2, giving our team a huge advantage.” TYLER pulled out a black box and opened it, “Dylan I hereby award you the Silver Star for bravery, courage, and leadership.” “Thanks Tyler but without you running down their offense and chop-blocks on the line, they definitely would have scored … I hear-by award you the medal of Defensive Superior Service! Excellent work Tyler!”

“Eric?” “Yes, JOE?” “The guys say you made 4 tackles against West Chicago?” “Yeah, this is true. But didn’t you run banana crazy against them?” “Yep, I had about 37 yards rushing.” “It felt great, but do you know what is sweet though, the taste of pay-dirt. I got into the end-zone for an extra point. Rushing that ball across the goal line is like no other feeling. Wow, it’s special.” Eric replied, “Joe, I hear you, but my passion is to stop the enemy. I love to assassinate the offense and getting 4 tackles was my objective.” “Agreed Eric, great job buddy!”

Driven by the impassioned memory of that blow-out 41 – 0 victory over the West Chicago Wildcats, it is my great pleasure to report that the 18 member Band Of Brothers pulled out a heroic effort. They captured the 120 by 53.3 yard land mass and held it until the American Military could bring reinforcements. In the distance all that could be heard from the Band Of Brothers was their favorite war-whoop, “We will, we will, eat your ham-bur-ger, and your french fries, and your little shake, 1.5!”

FOR WEEK 6, I’m BEARRY BEARNSTEIN