Not one person alive when those, and similar staggering events, occurred comes up empty when asked those questions. Everyone not only has the answer but, always has a story to go with it.
As of 7:00 PM, EST, January 16, 1991, you may add another question to that list. That's when the first President Bush (I always preferred that designation rather than using initials and letting some people have to figure it out themselves) ordered the attack on Iraq called Desert Storm.
I was at Boston Garden (the old one) covering the Celtics/Milwaukee basketball game. About forty reporters were in the press room having dinner but paying more attention to the two TV sets perched on opposing corners of the room. We all paid close attention to the detailing of events by the anchorman, since the United Nations mandated deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait had already passed. From recent news stories war seemed imminent.
Just before the game started an announcement was made that Celtics' team physician, Dr. Arnie Scheller, a major in the U.S. Army Reserves out of Fort Devens would hold a press conference outside the Celtics' lockerroom. The open interview lasted about 10 minutes and was conducted with the seriousness the occassion warranted punctuated by short bits of levity provided by Dr. Scheller.
"Are you scared?" asked one reporter. "Probably more of you guys (the media) than going to war,"
he replied.. My practising medicine is something I do all the time but now I'll be focusing a lot more on trauma. Basically a lot of my duties will be the same it's just that now the team I'll be taking care of is a little bit different...but they'll still be wearing green," he added with a smile.
"You guys are always wanting to know about Larry (Bird) now you'll have to aske Dave Gavitt. That's a big break for me." (Bigger smile and a chuckle).
He concluded the interview on a serious note..."I joined the reserves for patriotic reasons. I've travelled the world and seen the freedoms we take for granted are not everywhere. If young men and women are going to go out and fight for those freedoms WE hold so dear, this country and its beliefs, they deserve first rate medical care. That's MY way of paying my dues."
A few minutes later a one sentence press release was circulated through the media people. "Although tonight's game will not be cancelled we will be seeking additional guidance from the White House and State Department tomorrow." It was directly from NBA headquarters.
Some said the NBA was just responding to the more than 27 years of criticism it has endured for not cancelling its games the Sunday after President Kennedy was shot. I reminded those peole that it was the NFL who didn't cancel their games that Sunday but, considering the seriousness of an impending war and people dying, what difference did it make who it was.
As the game began it was apparent that the sellout crowd of 14,890, the media and probably the players and coaches had at least one eye tuned in to the happenings of the day taking place on the other side of the planet. It was real and yet it wasn't.....quite.
For me it brought back memories of the Korean War when I was a kid. It's hard to picture guys in foxholes watching bombs explode while you're warm in your home watching "I love Lucy."
High above courtside in the press row the TV monitors that usually show the game on the Garden floor were tuned in to the news. I wore a headset connected to my radio and was listening to a simulcast of President Bush's 9:00 PM address. The faint sound of the TV mixed with my radio to produce an echo effect that placed an incredible emphasis on his message as if it were coming from some other dimension. I told several of the other reporters near me who did the same thing, nodding as they picked up the President's words. A litle later, as I scrolled down the dial hoping I might pick up the game, I picked up a very stirring recitation of our "Pledge of Allegiance" done by non other than.....JOHN WAYNE. With President Bush's message from the TV going, and John Wayne's patriotic renditions I had a lump in my throat and goosebumps all over. I thought, "My God, almost 12 years after his death, here was John Wayne guiding and inspiring America through another war just as he'd done through his films in WWII and Korea."
Everyone in the Garden had his or her own thoughts but was unanimous in their support of our young men and women who would be doing the fighting.
Johnny Most, the legendary "voice of the Celtics" said, "I was with the 15th Air Force in World War II as a gunner on a B-17 and saw the devastation and human suffering. I do not wish war on anyone at any time. I wish we weren't there but I do understand the President's stand against Sadaam Hussein and his objectives. "In my day England's Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, as well as many in this country, were against the U.S.A. entering that war. Instead they kept on appeasing Adolph Hitler as he took over country after country until he got so strong he couldn't be stopped. I don't WANT our troops over there fighting but sometimes, if you wait too long to stop bad things from continuing and escalating.....his voice trailed off but the sad memories filled his face.
By the way, the Celtics lost the game...I think. By a score of...hmm;.....I don't remember.....
TRIVIA---In the 60's the Boston Patriots had a defensive front four that played together for eight years. That's longer than any other team in football history. What were their names??
Also----What Red Sox first baseman was known as Dr. Strangeglove?
NOTE---I know my trivia questions go back some years but I see it as a perfect way to learn your Boston sports' history as well as get together with your dad and grandfather and hear the stories of our Boston teams and how great the games heroes (and the sportstalk shows) used to be.
ALSO----Send some trivia of your own. We'll give a prize to the best of the month.....Stay tuned.....