Good luck to our ambassadors (8/5/03)

Each of us, in his or her own way, is an ambassador for our community.

Our actions, our behavior, our standards all combine to tell the world about the place we are from. We may not think about it, but that's the way it is.

But some ambassadors are more important than others.

And some have a greater opportunity to make an impression.

That's what the Marching Patriots will be doing when they take their talent and dedication to the Indiana State Fair Band Contest on Wednesday.

The Marching Patriots have been so good for so long that few — if any — high school bands could match their tradition. But the Marching Patriots also know that tradition means nothing unless it is sustained, and they know how to keep the torch burning.

Over the years, we've seen band after band from other schools surge to the forefront, only to burn out a few seasons later. We've seen bands caught in the thrall of anxiety.

We've seen bands who forgot how to have fun long before they made the trip to Indianapolis.

And having seen those bands, our appreciation of the Marching Patriots and their tradition of excellence without insanity, of giving your best without losing perspective, has only grown over the years.

On Wednesday, our ambassadors set forth, to compete, to have fun, and to make us proud. On all three, we're sure they will succeed. — J.R.[[In-content Ad]]