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This past Saturday while attending the Battle at Bristol game between the University of Tennessee and Virginia Tech with my son Dustin, I witnessed an act of kindness rarely seen at a sporting event, especially one of this magnitude. During our progression to the speedway and walking up our ramp, my son suffered severe back spasms and had to lie on the ground because he could not stand. Every time the line would move I had to pick him up to move him a few feet and lay him back down. There was genuine concern from most of the fans around us, and at one point he was laid hands on and prayed for by a total stranger.

However, from four Hokies fans came an act of true compassion. One of the fans was an EMT named Paul who graciously offered his help and medical advice and promised to stay with Dustin throughout the process, never leaving his side. After determining he was not going to be able to go any farther, three other Hokies fans picked up my son and practically carried him to a waiting stretcher down on the lower area below the entrance gates. Again they all stayed with Dustin until he was carted off to the medical area inside the speedway. I only wish I would have gotten names and contact information of those responsible so I could express even more my deepest appreciation for the acts of kindness they each shared.

I know now that even when we are fierce competitors, we find time to help our brothers and sisters in times of desperate need, without reservation, without regard to which team we root for, just true human compassion for one another. Best of luck to all Virginia Tech Hokies fans, especially to those saints.

Rusty Boggs, Corryton