BRUNSWICK

There are moments in life when many of us take stock in what we have. Normally it takes a tragedy to send us back to reality.

A tragedy like the boating accident that claimed the life of Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez on Sunday is one that might make us scratch our heads and ask the question, “WHY?”

Here was a young man who had it all — fame, fortune, talent. Fernandez, quite frankly, was a can’t miss kid, a man that was blessed with a rocket for a right arm along with a personality to boot.

A young man — just 24- years old — taken far too soon.

Then we turn to another loss. Arnold Palmer, the King, passed away at the age of 87 on Sunday.

Before the word “King” was misused over, and over, and over, and over (you get it) again, Palmer was and will always be the real King.

Here is a man that worked his way up from the town of Latrobe, Pa., about 40 miles from where I grew up, who took the golfing world by storm. His competition with a young up and comer named Jack Nicklaus was epic, drawing galleries for Palmer that was fittingly named “Arnie’s Army.”

I had a chance to meet Mr. Palmer when I was a young boy. He was bigger than life, but then made me feel like the most important person in the world when he bent down to my eye level, shook my hand and asked how my day was. He thanked me and the hundreds of young students that day for coming to visit with him. Wow! It was a moment, probably one that I didn’t realize back then.

A tradition at The Masters was watching Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus kick the tournament off by sending a drive down the middle of the fairway. Back in April of this year, Palmer didn’t look well, but was there at Augusta, waving his hand to his Army, taking in that last bit of applause and genuine love. He gave it back to us, in spades.

This has been a difficult year as far as losses go. From celebrities, to sports figures, to local people that many probably don’t know, like the Sun Journal’s Kevin Mills, there have been several of those hold onto the family moments for myself this year, allowing perspective on what I have — a wife of 25 years, two healthy children, a home and food to eat every single day.

Many have asked me my opinion with regards to San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick and his protest of events that have occurred between policemen and men of color in this country.

As a retired military man, I was at first appalled at Kaepernick’s actions, asking “how dare he disrespect those who have served and died for this country?”

To me, his message is an important one, though I will say I don’t necessarily agree with the way that he is choosing to go about it. However, he is an American, and Kaepernick and all the others who chose to raise a fist, take a knee, or whatever during the anthem have that right to protest anyway they see fit.

The message is clear folks. What is happening across this great nation, from Charlotte, N.C., to Baltimore, Md., to Los Angeles, Calif., needs to stop. I am not going to place blame here, for this is a sports column where we are supposed to have happy, happy thoughts of young men and women striving for success on the playing field. But I will say that we as a nation need to figure out how to respect each other.

Area scene

Man, it has been a whirlwind of action over the first month of the fall sports season. We have seen superb performances from many of our athletes. If you have a chance, take in a game. You won’t be disappointed.

Let’s start in Topsham, where the Mt. Ararat boys soccer team has put it all together under second-year coach Jack Rioux.

The Eagles faced a stiff challenge last Friday, hosting a Lewiston team that has not only been the talk of Maine, but of the nation, with appearances on ESPN, HBO and more. The Blue Devils visited riding a 24- game winning streak.

What happened? Mt. Ararat scored a thrilling 2-1 victory.

Was it a stunner? I will say yes, but these Eagles are playing with confidence and a belief that they are the team to beat this season.

Now off to Brunswick, where Dan Cooper’s Dragons football team is playing with an amazing amount of confidence.

Face facts, traveling to Oakland to face a Messalonskee team has always been a difficult challenge for Cooper’s team. The Eagles have shocked the Dragons on more than one occasion.

This time around last Friday:

BRUNSWICK 42, MESSALONSKEE 0!

Surprised you might ask … A little! This wasn’t a weak team that your Dragons pushed around and dominated under the lights. That was an Eagles team that will be a challenge for anyone come playoff time.

Now, Brunswick heads to 3-1 Skowhegan on Friday, and if all goes according to plan, the following Friday night in Brunswick, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m., will be undefeated Brewer visiting 5-0 Brunswick.

On Tuesday I had the chance to see Steve Boyce’s Morse girls soccer team host Oceanside in a key matchup. The Shipbuilders fell a bit short, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Mariners, but what I saw was a team that has the capability of going far this year. There is talent throughout this relatively young squad. I look forward to seeing where this team goes in the future.

For success, one just needs to drive a bit north on I-295 to Richmond to see the Bobcat boys and girls soccer teams in action.

First with the girls, Troy Kendrick has another squad that looks poised to repeat as the State Class D champs this year. The Bobcats have outscored their first eight opponents, 55-2.

Now, one might say, “the scheduled is soft.”

Think again! Richmond traveled to always tough St. Dominic’s Academy early in the season (a 3-1 win) and hosts Sacopee Valley on Oct. 6. The Hawks haven’t lost, and, if memory serves, handed Richmond its lone loss last season down in South Hiram. The rematch should be one to see.

Now to Peter Gardner’s Richmond boys, which goes into a nine-day break with a 7-1 record, the lone blemish a 2-1 overtime loss to East- West Conference rival Buckfield.

Gardner has this team playing well, with a few challenges ahead, including a visit to Sacopee Valley on Oct. 6 and a rematch with Buckfield to close the regular season on Oct. 18.

Down at Freeport, Joe Heathco’s boys soccer team and Elayna Girardin’s Falcon girls squad has been solid, with the girls sporting a 5-2 mark and the boys a 5-3 record.

Soccer seems to be on the rebound down south, with Freeport a team to be reckoned with as the second half of the regular season begins.

Staying in Freeport, the Falcons are 2-2 on the gridiron. Why do I mention them? Simple! This is a team that has struggled with so many things — low numbers, injuries, bad losses — that we have to take a moment, smell the roses and give always optimistic coach Paul St. Pierre a pat on the back for a job well done.

Staying in football, Dick Mynahan is at it again in Lisbon. Many, including Mynahan himself, have hinted that this might just be his last season on the Greyhounds sideline. I for one hope he stays.

Lisbon was quite frankly whipped on opening day in a 31-12 loss to Winthrop/Monmouth. Did the veteran coach panic? Absolutely not!

Since that loss, Lisbon has shut out both Maranacook (36-0) and Dirigo (30- 0) on the road.

Mark your calendars. Saturday, Oct. 8, Oak Hill at Lisbon, 1:30 p.m. Is this the year that the Greyhounds get the best of the Raiders? We will have to see.

In closing

Readers, I ask that you take a moment to give those that you love a hug, telling them how much they mean to you.

Don’t allow anger, hate and fear be what drives you. Instead, give thanks to what you have. Thank someone who serves. From the police and firemen, to our military personnel serving abroad, defending our very freedoms, honor someone today. It will make you feel good and make our world a better place to live.

BOB CONN is The Times Record sports editor. He can be reached at bconn@timesrecord.com.