PEP RALLY -- PITTSBURGH IS ON THE WAY TO THE SUPER BOWL!!!

THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!
L to R: Matt Spaeth #89, Rashard Mendenhall #34,
Jared Retkofsky #61
(CLICK ON, TO ENLARGE IMAGES BELOW)

BIG BEN RUNNING MAKING AN ENTRANCE

THE FANS GO WILD!

On Friday, January 23, the Pittsburgh Steelers hosted a pep rally for the team. It was to be a sendoff by the fans as the team leaves to engage the Arizona Cardinals in the Super Bowl next Sunday. The scope and detail of the celebration was not a surprise for me, having prior relationships with the franchise; the Rooney family is very classy, and loyal to the fan base. The event was the vehicle for the fans, AKA extended-Steelers-family, who will not have a seat in Tampa, to hitch a ride on the wave of excitement buzzing around Biltzburgh! A kind gesture, and a wise one!

The portrait of 3 Steelers holding up my support banner, are as follows:

Left: Matt Spaeth #89

POSITION TE
HEIGHT (WT) 6-7 (270 lbs.)
BIRTHDATE: 11/24/84
NFL EXP: 2
COLLEGE Minnesota


Middle: Rashard Mendenhall #34

POSITION RB
HEIGHT (WT) 5-10 (224 lbs.)
BIRTHDATE: 6/19/87
NFL EXP: R
COLLEGE Illinois

Right: Jared Retkofsky #61

POSITION LS
HEIGHT (WT) 6-5 (260 lbs.)
BIRTHDATE: 3/16/83
NFL EXP: 1
COLLEGE TCU

The Pittsburgh Steelers are fully behind you guys over there serving our country. Big Ben makes it a point when he talks to express his strong support. I would have had more players, but the traffic near Heinz Field from the thousands of fans coming to the rally caused most of them to arrive late. I had to grab whoever was present and accounted for. It was very busy, but these are the players that could get away. We shot it in Mr. Rooney's office, which is filled with sports history via photographs and artifacts from the beginning of the team to today.

I was on the field getting shots of the team running out of the locker room through the crowd, the excitement was contagious, so like a little boy, I was able to high-five Big Ben, Willie Parker and others; I will admit that I had a fun time doing it!

A BIG THANKS goes out to the PITTSBURGH STEELERS for their cooperation in getting the support banner portrait done. Now go and kick some Cardinal Butt!!!

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The Steelers fans are the most intense in the country, bar none! I lived in Colorado for 25 years. The Bronco fans are great, but they are mostly from other places that moved in, it is a learned experience. Here in Pittsburgh it is intrinsic by nature, passed down though the parents genes! Pittsburgh fans were born here, as folks do not move in from other areas at as high of a rate as they do in Colorado.

A true story: A baby was born on the day of the Super Bowl when we played the Cowboys in our second Bowl. When the baby was delivered, the doctor who was holding him was wearing a Dallas Cowboy hat. When the newborn child had her eyes cleaned out, the first thing she saw was that hat. That little bare bum baby dove off of the table, tackling the doctor so hard he was knocked out cold, right there on the spot! A true story, a true story….

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH IS GOING TO THE SUPER BOWL!

Baltimore Ravens running back, Willis MaGahee, was knocked out by the Pittsburgh Steelers Ryan Clark. This hard hit caused a fumble, which the Steelers recovered.
(photo courtesy of the Baltimore Sun)

Big Ben at training camp

The big news tonight is a pleasure for me to report. The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to the SUPER BOWL! After literally knocking out cold various members of the Baltimore Ravens (Baltimore safety Daren Stone was knocked so loopy with a concussion, he started walking toward the wrong sideline), the Steelers defeated the trash talking, uncouth, and rather uncivilized Ravens by a score of Twenty-Four to Thirteen!

(The following on the field, game day images were shot by me during a previous game. All images on my column were shot by me unless noted otherwise)

Ike Taylor

Casey Hampton blew up the Raven's front line all night long

Desha Townsend warming up on the stationary bicycle

Troy Palamalu looking to hit somebody, or something. He played like a demon, and was the star of the defense on this night. He would deny such, as he is very humble and does his talking with his deeds!

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

The game was an extreme lesson in how to hit like a Mac Truck, as the two top defenses in the NFL went head-to-head! The crème always rises to the top, as the Best-of-the-Best took the Ravens to school… After a week of threats, false promises, and other boorish communiqués from the Baltimore Ravens, who ended up showing their true color … Paper Tiger! An empty can rolling down the road makes more noise than a full one!

Big Ben thanked all of you over there, announcing his feelings and support for you who serve their country during an interview on national television after the game . He was the only one this weekend who (in the middle of a celebration, no less) was selfless, and took the time to do so! Well-done Big Ben…

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The Steeler Fight song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAfHYQyxV08

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

CHANGE OF COMMAND

Big Ben Firing a Pass

President Bush

President Bush Hugging Daughter Jenna Bush

President Bush Watching Jenna Bush Stumping For Him

(CLICK ON IMAGES TO ENLARGE)

A change of command is upon all of you over there. It may bring many changes that will affect you directly, so prepare yourself. Lets hope the change is positive in regard to your welfare. I have displayed a few images that I personally shot of your current, but soon to leave Commander in Chief.

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Pheasants Forever, a nationally based group, is going forward with plans to import thousands of Pheasants from Montana to western Pennsylvania. They are to be transplanted to Washington and Montour counties. They will also be released across Brothersvalley and Stonycreek townships. This is a three-year project. Lets hope they take to their new home and prosper. Our fading local Pheasant population needs a shot in the arm.

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SPORTS UPDATE: The Steelers won today’s playoff game, convincingly defeating the San Diego Chargers. The score was 35 to 24, the last six points that San Diego scored was a gift since the game was effectively over, we actually spanked them more than the end score indicates. We play our dreaded nemeses next Sunday, the Baltimore Ravens; with a win, we will earn the right to play in the Super Bowl once again! Lets go Steelers!!!

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Always remember, you paid the price, therefore it is only right that you should live long and prosper from that sacrifice. Let not the hoity-toity and pompous in the spotlight deter you from that goal.

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Especially in these times of change,

Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

Happy New Years to all of you over there, from all of us over here. 

Images from the Times Square New Years Celebration on ABC

Remember always, those that know they are going to make it do, and those who think they won't, don't! This is what I have learned from my World War Two friends when researching for my project on Pearl Harbor...

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Keep your head down,

Henry Hill, Plum Pennsylvania