Old Glory Relay 2016

Photo courtesy:
Harness Digital Marketing

By Kevin Hunsperger

@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter
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For the second year in a row, I've had the honor of being a part of the Old Glory Relay. For those who don't know, it's a running event in which the flag is carried and passed across the country. The only difference this year is that the route went further south and bypassed southern Illinois.

Proud to be included

That's where my buddies Tom Harness and Brian Flath stepped in. As members of Team RWB (the force behind the national effort), Tom and Brian worked with local veterans, runners, police departments and sponsors to make sure the Stars & Stripes made its way through our region too. The route of this year's Old Glory Relay went through three southern Illinois counties; Randolph, Jackson and Williamson. The course covered about 64 miles and was completed in about nine hours. 

The community gets involved

I'm honored to have been a part of the effort, not just running with the flag, but also winding things down at the end. The final mile a large group of us walked the flag to the final destination. Lined the sides of the road and applaud as the flag passed. Others in the group, which included veterans, runners and children, carried flags too. 

Photo courtesy:
Jim Olsen

The most poignant moment was watching veterans in the crowd get a chance to walk with the flag. Some took just a few steps, others went further along. There were tears and cheers and a lot of respect. It makes me proud to live in this great community of Carterville, Illinois but it also makes me proud to be an American. (Other communities were out supporting the relay too, I wasn't able to be at all the exchanges, so thanks to all who came out). I did not serve this great country in the military, but I will do all I can to support those who did. Thank you to all who served and to everyone who made the Old Glory Relay possible.

Happy Birthday, 'Murica

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

I have a lot of fond memories of the Fourth of July from my childhood.  The street I grew up on in a small town about 25 miles outside of St. Louis was a tight knit community.  Each year, most of the families on the street would chip in and buy what seemed like a never ending supply of fireworks.  We'd all gather in the cul-de-sac and watch as the dads would line up the explosives and one by one light them.

Everyone would "ooh and aah" as the rockets red glare would light the night sky over Cape Town Village.  The next day, many of the neighborhood kids would scour the yards looking for remnants of the celebration.  We weren't on a mission to cleanup, instead we would collect the paper parachutes and try to recreate the pyro that we'd experienced the night before.  Of course it was never the same.

One year when I was probably about ten years old, I remember lighting a fire cracker and rearing back with it to toss into the street.  (Not at anyone or anything, it was just something us High Ridge Hoosiers used to do).  When it was next to my ear, the fire cracker exploded in my hand.  For a few moments I couldn't hear out of my right ear, so naturally I panicked and thought I'd be rendered deaf because of my stupid move.  Of course my hearing returned and all my fingers remained intact, but the act deterred me from being foolish again with fireworks.  

Snakes! (not flaming piles of dog poo)

We'd also light up snakes and twirl sparklers, while taking time out to eat something from the grill and jump into the pool.  It was a great childhood experience.

July 4 in Lafayette, Indiana

Another memory, when we were living in West Lafayette, Indiana with our two sons, I remember heading to Riehle Plaza and the pedestrian bridge to watch the fireworks display the Great Lafayette area was hosting.  It was 2003, my boys were just toddlers then, but we watched with excitement as the explosives did what they do.  Moments after the display, it started raining.  Not just any ordinary rain, this was a downpour. We rushed to our car and headed home.  It didn't stop raining until the next day.  Many communities were flooded, causing a huge mess for families and businesses around the region.  It provided the station I worked for great stories, and I'll never forget that Fourth of July because of it.

A decade later was fun too, because of the pranks my co-worker Weston and I pulled on everyone. Watch the video above and you'll see two immature guys having a good time at the expense of others.  Nothing says 'Murica quite like that. Happy 4th of July everyone!

USA! USA! USA!

Just a few patriots of the ring

By Kevin Hunsperger
@kevinhunsperger & @my123cents on Twitter

Since it's Independence Day here in the United States, I've decided to let the My 1-2-3 Cents Facebook friends write today's post.  Our question of the day was "Which wrestler best embodies the spirit of America?"  We got a lot of great choices, and many of the names that appeared are on my personal list too.  You've got the flag waving, America loving heroes like Hulk Hogan, Hacksaw Jim Duggan, and Sgt. Slaughter to the guys who literally climbed the ranks and made a name for themselves like Dusty Rhodes, John Cena, and Booker T.  There were no bad choices, so here are some of the stars our readers picked.

Kurt Angle
Chosen by: Justin Potter

Mr. America
Chosen by: Kareem Cooper

Sgt. Slaughter
Chosen by: Tommy Blane

"Hacksaw" Jim Duggan
Chosen by: Jason Hagler

The Patriot
Chosen by: Andy Peck

Hulk Hogan
Chosen by: Tim Lee

Lex Luger (circa 1993)
Chosen by: Jeremy Kroot

Dusty Rhodes
Chosen by: Adam Hackbarth

"American Dragon" Bryan Danielson
Chosen by: Tom Kwiat

Booker T
Chosen by: Robert Schwent, Jr.

Robert Schwent, Jr.:
Dusty Rhodes & Ric Flair embodied both the working class man and the spirit of greed in America.

Hulk Hogan because he was on top while telling people all you need is hard work and dedication to achieve your goals. He did this while simultaneously holding people down and rewarding those who did not deserve it. This is the embodiment of the American dream and what it has become.

Booker T. He started out in WCW with his brother playing a slave to a plantation owner. That is often times hidden by wrestling historians and ignored as is slavery in the real America. He came to the ring in chains led by a manager that looked like a Southern plantation over. He rose above diversity and became both literally and figuratively the king of the wrestling world... at least in America.

Stone Cold Steve Austin for his rebellion in the face of tyranny, being who he wants to be regardless of crowd reaction.

John Cena
Chosen by: Jade Lowe
Photo by WWE.com

Jade Lowe:
I know people love to hate him, but you have to consider John Cena. He visits the troops over sears every chance he gets, he salutes every time he approaches the ring, he set a record for most donations to make-a-wish, he keeps his word, he fights to the end for what he believes in, his slogans are hustle loyalty respect and never give up. He's someone kids can look up to. He SCREAMS America, whether you like him or not.


Thank you to all who participated.  If you're not a "friend" on Facebook, please head on over and like it now.  Just click this link.