I went to the rodeo in Ogden, Utah, tonight. They recognized a 90 year old veteran but the program was a little problematic. The announcer stated that the man had gone to war with the navy (I think, it was confusing) at the age of 18 on a battleship along with 3000 other sailors, marines and US army soldiers. They went to Guadalcanal, and then 13 other islands. The German prisoners told them that all the landmarks in the US were destroyed but when the man returned to the US he saw the Statue of Liberty was still standing.

In addition to the confusing service history, when the man was brought out, a pyrotechnic display went off about 30 feet in front of him. He was quickly hidden in smoke. The jets of flame shooting up were hot enough I could feel them up in the stands.

I appreciate the attempt to honor him, but I wonder how much thought went into the effort. I thought it was just me but my family was just as confused, and wondered why they were trying to light the poor man on fire.

Maybe John Belushi is still alive and is writing copy for rodeo MC's.