Staff Sargent Ray Lambert was a Combat Medic with the 1st Infantry Division and part of the first wave of troops that stormed Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. As the ramps dropped on their landing crafts, Lambert and his brigade stared down bullets and shrapnel but had no choice but to move forward. As his countryman unloaded from their boats to storm the beach, 3 out of 4 would be killed or wounded. Lambert’s leg was tore open amd bleeding profusely but his courage never wavered, his resolve only hardened. His love for his brothers would not allow him to quit. He found cover behind a large rock on the beach now memorialized as “Ray’s Rock”, tied a tourniquet around his bleeding leg and got to work. Over the course of the next few hours, Ray helped treat an estimated 20 casualties on his own blood soaked sand. As a combat medic, he had a job to do - he knew the risks but if he didn’t do what had to be done, who would have helped the brothers he loved? The work beginning for high school football teams right now in June builds the virtue for later in the season and later in a young man’s life. You don’t experience love, courage, fortitude, and fraternity by always choosing to do what is easy, you must prepare yourself to perform when it matters by doing hard things NOW. This is how an individual learns. It is also how a team learns to trust one another. Ray Lambert knew as his boat crossed the English channel that fateful night that he was prepared for what was to come. He had already fought in North Africa. He had already fought in Sicily. He knew how he would react under fire. His courage was on display and he performed his duty that day to the best of his ability. Courage is easy in practice if you have confidence in the work you put in. Because courage is doing the right thing even when it’s hard to do. Remember our DDay vets today (yesterday) and always ! COACH KEVER

The summer grind for young high school football players across the US officially began last week! To help athletes stay motivated, this season, I plan on sharing a story each week of players, teachers, soldiers, workers, and every day people overcoming adversity in some way. This week’s focus will be in honor of D-Day! Stay tuned! COACH KEVER

Huge thank you to @CoachDubMaddox at R4 training in Tulsa Oklahoma. Had a great 2 day experience and excelled in my knowledge of the game. @SMAGuardianFB @CoachKever

Birthday girl Lorelai Landa’s OT goal sends St. Michael the Archangel girls soccer to Class 3 state final four @SMA_Soccer @landa_lorelai @MackinleyG2209 @addybasler12 @lydmcvey @SMAActivities @SMACatholic examiner.net/landas-ot-goal-…

A PARENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH YOUTH SPORTS: Age 5: “He’s got a cannon.” Age 6: “He’s the fastest kid out there. Coach said so.” Age 7: “Rec ball isn’t challenging him anymore.” Age 8: “We tried out for select. Obviously made it.” Age 9: “$2,800 for the season. Plus uniforms. Plus tournaments. Plus hotels.” Age 10: “Cooperstown is basically a family vacation, right?” Age 11: “He needs a hitting guy. And a pitching guy. And probably a mental performance coach.” Age 12: “I’m not a crazy sports parent. The OTHER parents are crazy.” Age 13: “We changed schools. For academics. (And also baseball.)” Age 14: “Showcases are a requirement at this age.” Age 15: “Ya his ranking just ticked up. We’re cooking.” Age 16: “He just needs to get seen by the right school.” Age 17: “The D1 schools want him to walk on. He’ll earn a spot by sophomore year.” Age 18: “Okay, D2 is actually really competitive.” Age 19: “He’s redshirting. Strategic.” Age 20: “He’s focusing on school now.” Age 21: “You know what? He’s so much happier.” Roughly 7% of high schoolers play in college. About 1.5% of those get drafted. Less than half of draftees ever play one day in the big leagues. The odds of our kids going pro are somewhere between “struck by lightning” and “find a $100 in old shorts.” I love youth sports (all my kids play a bunch of them) just keep a good perspective my friends. ✌️

Was able to make it to the state finals in both the 4x1 & 2. Great track season with my teammates, fully focused on football now. #wingsup 100 m missed finals by 0.01 4x1 4th overall 4x2 6th overall 4x4 (49 second split) @CoachKever @jeremibarnes @GuardiansTrack @SMAGuardianFB @WOWKCfootball @EJCExam_Sports @PrepsKC

My teammates and I also qualified in all 3 of our relays! Blessed to run at state in 4 events 4x1 Lane 5 : 42.53 4x2 Lane 3 : 1:29.52 4x4 Lane 7 (fades into 1) : 3:28.64 @CoachKever @GuardiansTrack @SMAGuardianFB @WOWKCfootball

Huge thank you to @JoshLamberson and @H_HAWK for a great camp at @UCMFootballTeam, had a great experience and got better. Thank you. @CoachKever @SMAGuardianFB

🚨10.85 PR🚨 School record 100 m ‼️200 lbs C/O 27’ rb/db‼️ Blessed to be able run at the sectional meet and qualify for state! @CoachKever @jeremibarnes @SMAGuardianFB @GuardiansTrack @EJCExam_Sports @WOWKCfootball @PrepsKC @jeremycrabtree

I admire the creativity of this tackle 😂

Director Peter Berg wanted brutal realism in Friday Night Lights (2004). He instructed the actors to actually hit each other during the football scenes. The players were often left bleeding and bruised, making the game footage painfully authentic.

Very excited to announce my commitment to Army West Point! 🇺🇸🇺🇸  Incredibly grateful for the opportunity to advance my education at one of the best institutions in the US, serve our country and continue playing football.   Thank you @CoachJeffMonken @CoachSaturnio @Coach_Romero18 and let’s keep advancing #THEBrotherhood.  @ArmyWP_Football @GoArmyWestPoint @ArmyFB_Recruit @WestPoint_USMA #GoArmy @goblackknights @On3 @Rivals @SMAGuardianFB @SMAActivities @SMACatholic @CoachKever @coachjavi53 @Kell_Isle @A_Errthum17 @KohlsKicking @KohlsHighlights @WOWKCfootball @EJCExam_Sports @JPRockMO @810varsity @varsityls @VerbalCommit_KC @PrepsKC @SimoneAwards @DionClisso @mickshaffer @MattFosterTV @ColeYoung @mikecernymedia @andymeyer124 @jeremibarnes @The_RyanWallace @mokansportsnet @PrepRedzoneMO @BretCulbertson @D_Madde_Punter @KCSportsNetwork @PreWarWesley @N_W_Sports @kt_recruiting @LeviSportsGuy @KickU_ @MarketAthletes @ElevateRecruits @McCarthy_Auto #wingsup #GuardianFB #committed #specialist

Historic Week last week for Guardian Track & Field. 1 conference championship. 1 district championship. 34 all-conference athletes. 25 all-district athletes. Elite athletes blazing trails ! @EJCExam_Sports @lsmofred @SonicLockerRm @KSeaboldt @Pontifex

Would love to represent this great Guardian team, Coaching Staff and School! Please take a minute to vote each day. “Max Thomas is up for Male - Athlete of the Year. Had an incredible season, rarely leaving the field and team finished 3rd in State. One of the top Kicker/Punters in the US, McCarthy Elite Team, Simone Team, Academic All-State, All-State/District/Conf, All EJC Team K & WR. 800 yds Receiving, 6TD, 40 Catches 5 INT, 19 PBU at Corner. Let’s go Guardians 💪” contests.cherryroad.com/even… #WINGSUP @SMAGuardianFB @SMAActivities @EJCExam_Sports @CoachKever @Kell_Isle @A_Errthum17 @coachjavi53 @KohlsHighlights @WOWKCfootball @JPRockMO @kt_recruiting @varsityls @810varsity @N_W_Sports @VerbalCommit_KC @PrepsKC @SimoneAwards @DionClisso @PreWarWesley @JGonzalesJr10 @ArmyFB_Recruit #goarmy @LeviSportsGuy @KCSportsNetwork @The_RyanWallace @lsmofred @MoKan_Sports @PrepRedzoneMO @BretCulbertson @D_Madden_Punter @jeremibarnes

Sophomore Year - 4x2 - 1st leg - lane 3

Districts ✅ Moved on into sectionals in all 4 events 100 - 11.18 🥈 lane 5 4x1 - 43.14 🥇 lane 4 4x2 - 1:30.24 🥈lane 6 4x4 - 3:33.77 🥈lane 3 (fades into 1) @CoachKever @jeremibarnes @GuardiansTrack @SMAGuardianFB @WOWKCfootball

Sophomore Year - 400m - lane 7 - 54.84s

Huge thank you to @CoachJMcGehee for the invite to @CSCwildcatsFB upcoming camp. I’m excited to display my skillset for them and continue a relationship. @JPRockMO @CoachKever @SMAGuardianFB

Thank you to @Coach_Roelofs for coming to SMA and talking to me today, loved learning about @DordtFB and the culture they bring. Hope to stay in contact with them.