Few people in life shape a young man or woman better than their coach. And one coach has given his players an extra-special lesson that's worth far more than any championship could mean to them.
Buzz Williams, a basketball coach with Virginia Tech, decided he needed to show his players what Veteran's Day really means to those who have served. The video, which was recorded as part of the coach's Veteran's Day tradition back in November, has resurfaced, and is going viral just as the country begins preparations to celebrate Independence Day.
The video shows the veterans and players standing in lines facing one another as Williams speaks to them. During his talk, the coach instructed his players on how they should conduct themselves while the National Anthem was playing and the meaning behind the "Star-Spangled Banner."
“These [veterans], when they were your age, interrupted their life, they paused their education, they changed their career and they gave their life for those chairs ... not us,” Williams said to his players. “So when the anthem is played, we’re going to stand like grown men and we’re going to honor men like this, that gave their life, so we can have a chair to sit in.”
The video is a nice reminder of how coaches can be a positive influence on young people's lives and how important it is we remember what the Fourth of July really means for our country and our people.
Have a safe, and happy Independence Day everyone!