Graphic: Scott MacCord/UAA Communications
Carter's Corner: A Memorial Day Tribute
Monday, May 25, 2020 | General, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- At a time when the past has become a focal point as the future sorts itself out, this is a good time to revisit Memorial Day.
If you're reading this and you want to know more about the evolution of the day on the American calender, here is a primer from the old reliable Farmer's Almanac.
Meanwhile, here at FloridaGators.com, we've written in the past about perhaps the most famous UF athlete whose life was cut short due to war. Fergie Ferguson remains a name familiar to generations of Gators fans.
Still, some may not be aware of his connection to the program and others may have forgotten.
Whatever your knowledge of Ferguson, here is a tribute that UF historian Norm Carlson wrote on Ferguson several years ago. In addition, here is one of my favorite sidebars covering the Gators, a trip down memory lane with longtime UF supporter Hill Brannon a few years ago during a surprise visit to his Gainesville home by then-UF head coach Jim McElwain. Brannon recalled going to watch Ferguson play as a young boy, which led to a discussion about a book on Ferguson by Bob D'Angelo that had recently come out at the time.
In addition, I recently wrote about Walter "Tiger" Mayberry, another former UF football player who lost his life in World War II. What started out as a story on Florida's first player selected in the NFL Draft turned into a tribute to Mayberry and his place in Gators football history.
On this day, it seems most fitting to revisit the past. On Memorial Day 2021, let's hope the coronavirus pandemic is part of the past.
We are grateful. 🇺🇸#MemorialDay #GoGators pic.twitter.com/RdnJpCp2Y3
— Florida Gators (@FloridaGators) May 25, 2020
If you're reading this and you want to know more about the evolution of the day on the American calender, here is a primer from the old reliable Farmer's Almanac.
Meanwhile, here at FloridaGators.com, we've written in the past about perhaps the most famous UF athlete whose life was cut short due to war. Fergie Ferguson remains a name familiar to generations of Gators fans.
Still, some may not be aware of his connection to the program and others may have forgotten.
Whatever your knowledge of Ferguson, here is a tribute that UF historian Norm Carlson wrote on Ferguson several years ago. In addition, here is one of my favorite sidebars covering the Gators, a trip down memory lane with longtime UF supporter Hill Brannon a few years ago during a surprise visit to his Gainesville home by then-UF head coach Jim McElwain. Brannon recalled going to watch Ferguson play as a young boy, which led to a discussion about a book on Ferguson by Bob D'Angelo that had recently come out at the time.
In addition, I recently wrote about Walter "Tiger" Mayberry, another former UF football player who lost his life in World War II. What started out as a story on Florida's first player selected in the NFL Draft turned into a tribute to Mayberry and his place in Gators football history.
On this day, it seems most fitting to revisit the past. On Memorial Day 2021, let's hope the coronavirus pandemic is part of the past.
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