"New and Old Memories Coming Together: ‘Godspeed’: Faith courses through the 100th running of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’"

"New and Old Memories Coming Together: ‘Godspeed’: Faith courses through the 100th running of ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’"

I have missed the Indy 500 since moving to Seattle years ago because I usually have been scheduled to work, or I have been in worship services with the race, beginning at 9:00 a.m. PST.

I am home with a cold with a temperature, which has turned out to be a blessing. I heard the Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin from the Indianapolis Archdiocese offered an invocation prayer that was beautiful, heartfelt prayer. Then a rendition of "God Bless America" takes the form of a prayer (intro lyrics "as we raise our voices, in a solemn prayer") for God's blessing and peace for the nation ("...stand beside her and guide her through the night..."). I pray that more sporting events offer prayer. Well done!

Darius Rucker with his beautiful voice sang “The National Anthem." I found it refreshing that families with small children had they hands over their hearts.

When Indianapolis singer/songwriter Josh Kaufman and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir performed “Back Home Again in Indiana,” I remembered a resident and my Grandma Shaffer. A resident of mine, named Ann, who was an Indiana native, requested "Back Home Again in Indiana”, be sung at the conclusion of her Celebration of Life service said, "Do not sing the Jim Nabors' version.”

The Jim Nabors version is for my Grandma Shaffer. She loved Jim but her family loved her. This is for you, Grandma Shaffer, and my Shaffer cousins will understand.

Jim Nabors - "Back Home Again In Indiana" (1972 Indianapolis 500 Jim's first year at Indy.)