The Beijing Olympics didn’t end after the closing ceremonies.  That was just intermission, with the second act starting today when the Paralympics opened in Beijing.  Michael Phelps may be America’s most accomplished medalist, and Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh are national treasures, but in the Paralympics there are two real American Hereos competing for gold — Melissa Stockwell and Scott Winkler.

Both Stockwell and Winkler were injured in service of their country in Iraq.  Now, they face new challenges on behalf of our country, working once again to bring honor and dignity home. 

“It will be an honor wearing the uniform and being able to walk into opening ceremony with the USA on my back,” [Stockwell] said. “You go to Iraq and you kind of defend the country in uniform, and here I am in a different uniform representing the same country.”

God Bless Them Both.

Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh continued their dominance in Women’s Beach Volleyball, yesterday winning the gold for the United States of America. In their exuberance following the match, enjoying one of sports’ greatest accomplishments, they actually thought to mention and thank President Bush.

There’s two people whose patriotism I don’t question. God Bless them both. While the media tries so desperately to destroy our President, its nice to see two people use their spotlight for something other than demeaning our President or spreading a leftist/socialist agenda.

Its a bit hard to find the video as it doesn’t fit with NBC’s Anti-Blush Ideology. But you can find it here or here. (Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin).

Even better, now I have another reason to call Women’s Beach Volleyball my new favorite sport.

So the wife is all in a tizzy over the Olympics. I love cheering on our country and seeing the medal count increase, but there are other things that seem more pressing right now than women’s synchronized diving or whether the “Redeem Team” is going to get the gold. But last night, all of that changed.

As the time neared eleven last night I found myself yelling at the television. First it was Katie Hoff and her near miss at the gold. A set of Lee Press-On Nails might have been all it took to make the difference (do women even wear those any more?). She was so close, and I felt for her. But the Silver is certainly nothing to be ashamed of. Sandwiched between two Brits on the medal stand, it could have been worse.

Then came the Men’s 400 Free Relay. Just an hour and nine minutes before we watched Michael Phelps swimming in a preliminary heat, and there he was back in the pool, to swim the first leg of the relay. And me, I rose a bit out of the bed and woke my wife up. You could feel the excitement from the other side of the World.

Phelps’ first leg of the relay was strong, but everyone seemed close. Garrett Weber-Gale swam second for the Americans and extended a lead. At this point at least 4 teams were beating the green line which showed World Record Time. It was amazing to watch, and only half way over. When Garret Weber-Gale hit the wall, Cullen Jones from my own NC State dove in. Cullen seemed to lose a bit from the field. Still putting up an incredible, World Record breaking race, but other swimmers were too close and the Americans were no longer in first. And as I screamed at the TV cheering them on (they could hear me, I know it), thoughts that the French would come in first lingered. And then Jason Lezak hit the pool.

At 32 years-old, Jason Lezak had a bit of time to catch up. It was probably only a few feet, but at the pace of the field, it seemed like an eternity. At this point my wife and I are both cheering them on, both fearing that all that was left was the Silver for Phelps and the team. Thankfully Jason Lezak didn’t think that, and wouldn’t accept anything less than first place. In record time, he caught up with the French, and managed to hit the wall a miraculous 0.08 seconds before his French rivals.

The Americans Win! And somehow Katie Hoff’s early second was redeemed a bit, as this time the Red, White, and Blue was on the other side of a finish too close to believe. My heartbeat returned to normal and my wife and I sat there in astonishment and relished in a bit of American pride. That was the most exciting 3 minutes, 8.24 seconds I’ve ever seen in sports, smashing their own World Record by nearly 4 seconds and creating a new fan.

I’ve always enjoyed cheering on my country… but now its much more than that. Who knew this football guy could stay up late, screaming at the television during a swim meet? Guys in tights isn’t my thing… but if you can come from behind by sheer determination and strength of character then you deserve my attention. Don’t Ever Give Up as Jimmy V said. It applies to swimming as much as it applies to life.

Thanks guys for giving us something great to watch and bringing home the Gold. Go Team USA!