I wasn't quite sure what to expect heading over there today, as its Texas/OU week. I woke up to go to my vesting appointment, for those of you who dont know, its basically a series of examinations done to test the body and document any illnesses or problems that prior-service members have. I woke up around seven, hit the snooze three times then finally crawled out of bed and took a shower then quickly put on the clothes I had chosen the night before. Most importantly being the longsleeved Texas Longhorns Shirt and my UT hat. As I drove east on I-20 I began to feel a little queezy probably in anticipation of the colission with the other vet's who support the oppostion in this weekends affair. Sure enough though there were a mojority of burnt orange and crimson clad individuals who combined in the building to make up probably 60-70% of the entire patient population in the facility. As I made my way through the parking lot, a trek of about 500 yards (as i had to park in the furthest away possible area) one of the older veterans I passed  shouted "What about them Sooners?" In light of all of our shared struggles and problems as vet's I just flashed the Hook'Em sign and shouted "Hook'Em Horns!" I felt that was appropraite as persuing any kind of fight, such as those that are custom in the west-end this weekend, wasnt very appropriate. However in my mind the only thing I could think was, "what ABOUT them sooners?" I would say they are merely an afterthought to the Horns, however I cant say that as there are daily fights with family about the battles between the two institutions. So I conducted myself as best I could to represent a part of the fanbase that I currently reside. That being the part of the fanbase that is enamored by the school/team, but hasnt/has not yet attended the university. all day it was the same ole' song and dance with fans from each side wondering why a 24 year old was in the VA hospital. I felt as though I was among the Halls of Valhalla (I have no Nordic ancestry to my knowlege) as these are the warriors of our time. all having some sort of story to share about what they have done, where they have been, things they have seen. this week though the stories all seemed to reverberate around the Rivalry that resides more or less in Dallas. All day every veteran seemed to be focused on their analysis of the game and why the team they supported would win. I, among them, did the exact same. As I worked my way around the particular places in the hospital that the Dr had predetermined for me to go, everyone's eyes seemed to size up one another of the other color clothing as if to say, we are gonna be out on that field tomorrow with our boys and fightin' right along side of them. Maybe this isnt the case in a literal sense, however it sure is on an emotional level. I feel proud to be among the other vet's, problems and all, even though some of them root for oklahoma, its still good to know that everything is relative and we are all connected on some level.

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