Sitting in the living room fixed on the TV as the clock ticked down and the game between the USA and Canada Men’s Hockey teams was advancing to overtime, brought my memories full circle to 1980 as a group of us stood on tippy toes as the clock counted down during a game that represented so much more than just an amateur hockey game, or even the fact that it was at an Olympics held closer to home than I had ever witnessed. It was a contest of world domination. It was a contest of democracy versus communism.

Much like the times of the late 1970s, portions of American life were mundane, the costs of things for Americans were at all time high. Gasoline was at a premium and was even rationed at the pumps. Iran was top news holding several Americans as hostages and The USSR was occupying Afghanistan. The winter weather was proving to be harsh.

My mind was made up by this time that I was headed to the Army after my graduation in just a short two years and as the winter Olympic games opened in Lake Placid much was being said about the men; s hockey team and how it was put together by Coach Herb Brooks, a no nonsense mid-western college coach and former alternate to a Team USA in 1960. Talk that they were setting their sights on dethroning the soviet team that held a monopoly on Olympic and international dominance of amateur hockey.

Fast forward to modern day. And watching as Jack Hughes put the final biscuit in the net during sudden death three on three overtime against an aggressive and well-formed Canadian team. The memories I felt of our country’s rebirth of Americanism. Just as the days following the “Miracle on Ice” in 1980, a few more flags were raised all around the country. A few more chants of USA! were heard in a unified voice coming from the sports world instead of politics.

Patriotic clothing was popping up everywhere. The feeling is so similar on this occasion. And so much in our world is the same. Iran is at the forefront as a global threat. Russia once again is occupying foreign lands, and the prices and commodity shortage have been at all-time highs.

Perhaps this team of 2026 can bring the country to a unity last seen after 9/11 but created in the same way and for similar reasons as the young men of the 1980 Olympic hockey team.

When our athletes accomplish such feats on the world stage and it filters back to each individual American to feel the pride in our country’s success from these young, spirited athletes, it is by far one of the greatest feelings in the world. It wasn’t solely on the shoulders of the men alone. The women’s Ice Hockey Team also took home the gold medal. And their victory was just as important and meant just as much to the spectators at home.

Many other sports were completed with success and medals won by Americans through out the Winter Games but the team competitions on the Hockey Rink is always the finale and most watched.

The feelings for the Red White and Blue should not be stifled, nor should any American feel embarrassed to root loudly for their home team. These feelings of patriotism, even if it’s just for the most popular of winter activities, are welcomed in our country by those of us that are proud to be American every day. With the country on the brink of its 250th birthday makes this win in the 2026 Winter Olympics all that more special.

How unique it is that the members of the 1980 team can offer congratulations to the new medalists and recollect the feelings they felt 46 years ago. The two teams can share in knowing that they have helped build a better America with a joy to have worn the red, white, and blue representing their country.

To the new heroes of the rink bound together under Old Glory and clad in the sweater of our nation, I offer the “boys and girls” of the 2026 Olympic hockey teams and all other American medalists, congratulations!

Kirk L. Miller is past commander of the Chautauqua County American Legion Eighth District Department of New York.