Tribute

Duty, service and honor are big words. They are also ones that are often abused these days by Washington politicians who thank each other for their "service" even as they sink deeper into partisan gridlock. "Game of Honor," a documentary about West Point and Annapolis and the Army-Navy football game played Dec. 10 in Landover, reminds viewers of the higher meanings of those words. The two-hour film premieres at 10 p.m. Wednesday on Showtime. Producers Pete Radovich and Steve Karasik say they didn't set out with any such lofty goal in mind for their Showtime-CBS Sports co-production, which was shot during the past eight months in the barracks and on the playing fields at the U.S. military and naval academies.

Sports Legends Museum L. Mitchell to attend tribute to former Colts The Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation announced Wednesday that former Baltimore Colts running back Lydell Mitchell and NFL senior adviser Joe Browne will be part of "A Legendary Evening: Celebrating our Baltimore Colts Hall of Famers" on Dec.6 at Martin's West. The evening will pay tribute to former Colts Art Donovan , Lenny Moore , Gino Marchetti , Raymond Berry , Weeb Ewbank , John Mackey and Jim Parker as they are inducted into the Hall of Legends, an area at Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards reserved for the elite of Maryland's sports culture.

I wanted to scream after reading the editorial about Ron Smith on Friday ("The voice of reason," Nov. 25). To say The Sun's editorial board is not often in agreement with Ron in matters of politics and government is a given. Ron's ideas are reasonable and formed by basic common sense. The Sun's ideas are usually absurd, partisan and predictably wrong. To link Ron with Rush Limbaugh and Fox News is absurd - more predictable Sun style. You were correct that he is not captive of the dogma or talking points of the right, as The Sun carries the water of the far left daily.

News item: The statue of Orioles Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson that was commissioned by the Dorothy L. and Henry A. Rosenberg, Jr. Foundation and the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation will be officially unveiled at noon Saturday on the Washington Boulevard Plaza outside Camden Yards. My take: What a great tribute to one of the true giants of Baltimore's sports history. Can't believe it's been 41 years since Brooks dazzled the baseball world with his MVP performance in the 1970 World Series.

The Ravens will pay tribute to Patricia Breslin Modell, the wife of former Ravens and Browns owner Art Modell, when they meet the Houston Texans Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium. The players will have a decal with the initials “PBM” attached to the back of their helmets to honor Mrs. Modell, who died Wednesday at the age of 80. There will also be a moment of silence prior to the singing of the National Anthem. In making the announcement, the organization also included statements from owner Steve Bisciotti, general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome and head coach John Harbaugh about Mrs. Modell.

There has been a great outpouring since the death of Steve Jobs on Wednesday. This is only fitting. Mr. Jobs was responsible for many great outpourings over the past three decades - including my own. In 1984, when I went off to college, I took along the fancy typewriter that had gotten me through high school: a Brother Correctronic with the magical ability to remember - and erase - an entire line of typing. Erasing a regrettable sentence on the Correctronic was simply a matter of pressing a button.

I've never heard anyone compare a high school reunion to a funeral. Yet even though I shared a fine evening of reminiscing, joking, belly laughs and good-natured ribbing with my fellow Sykesville High School Class of 1966 at our recent 45th anniversary reunion in August, there was, for me, a hint of melancholy to the mostly fun and laid-back evening. A couple dozen or so of us "66ers," most with respective spouses or significant others, convened in the community hall of the Winfield Volunteer Fire Department.

Thursday, Sept. 8 What: "Heroes of 9/11: Ten Year Remembrance and Tribute" and a single-artist show for Christina McCleary Where: The Columbia Art Center, Long Reach Village Center Details: The show will run Sept. 8-Oct. 2. Reception is Sept.16, 6-8 p.m. For more information, 410-730-0075 or go to http://www.columbiaartcenter.org. Friday, Sept. 9 What: Rep Stage presents a staged reading of the play "The Guy," about a New York fire captain who asks a writer to help put together eulogies for the men he has lost in the Sept.

Sunday marks the 48th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.'s historic "I have a dream" speech, delivered on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and if not for Hurricane Irene, the day would have seen another mass gathering on the National Mall and another round of speeches, this time a gathering to honor his enduring legacy. Whenever the official dedication of the King memorial takes place - organizers think sometime this fall - the speeches by members of the King family, President Barack Obama and leaders from across the country will draw deserved national attention on the character and accomplishments of one of the great figures of 20th century America.

Before the 2001 terrorist attacks Americans rarely saw Old Glory flying outside homes and apartments and in the windows of local businesses. Americans felt untouchable and assumed we would always be safe on our shores. The Sept. 11 attacks produced an entire mental and cultural transformation. They robbed us of our sense of security and our innocence. In the aftermath of Sept. 11, the VA Maryland Health Care System has changed to meet the needs of our nation's newest returning veterans.