David “Nick” Lynch Football Classic

Went to the game Saturday Night to honor my friend and classmate David “Nick” Lynch. I really enjoyed the game except for the ignorance, arrogance of ignorance, complete lack of home training and lack of citizenship of our youth in Prince George’s County that attended the Classic. It saddened me that Nick had touched so many lives and made a huge positive impact for “GOOD” versus the disrespectful behavior last night.

Trying to get Coach David “Nick” Lynch Honored

Went to the Glenarden Town Hall Meeting with Barrett Mathews a long time friend from the neighborhood last night.  Barrett was one of the folks that grew up knowing Nick from kindergarten on up.

We have an idea that we would like to get support from all of the folks that grew up with Nick.  We have an idea and would like to put the following proposals forward to honor Coach David “Nick” Lynch:

• Have the Glenarden Recreation Center and Field named in honor of Nick
• Have the Field at the recreation center named in honor of Nick.
• Have the road leading into the recreation center named in honor of Nick.
• Get support for a summer program for kids at the recreation center in support of Nick.
• Some combination of the above proposals.

We are going to need to get support from all the folks in the neighborhood to ensure that we have clear and visible support.  Most of us still have parents living in Glenarden so we really need to reach out and connect to our friends.

Barrett and I discussed this at length and really need your help to make this happen.

Memorial Service for David “Nick” Lynch @ Ebenezer AME

There was an impressive turn out to celebrate the life and memory of David “Nick or Nicky” Lynch.

Friends, Family, Football Players and Students packed the sanctuary and parking lots of Ebenezer AME Church in Fort Washington, Maryland. I knew the crowd was going to be sizable after seeing quite a few people walking down Allentown Road from Temple Hills Road to avoid the crush of traffic that Ebenezer can generate. I managed to find some parking and enter the church on the North Side where I was greeted to a winding line of people who wanted to pay respects and view the body.

Ebenezer had a full staff on today to support the anticipated crowds. The sanctuary was filled with music the way that only Ebenezer knows how to do it. Byron Cage and the music ministry are always exemplar. Here is a small video of “Never Would Have Made It” by Marvin Sapp. You can watch the Video Clip from Ebenezer AME on Vimeo.

A Full Sanctuary @ Ebenezer AME

I managed to find a seat in the last row of the balcony right next to University of Maryland Football Head Coach Ralph Friedgen. There were coaches in attendance from the entire DC Metro Area. Nicks coach from Eleanor Roosevelt spoke to the congregants.

Nick’s brother Keith delivered a great message that was really heart felt and clear. It moved a large number of young people to take the prayer of salvation.

Flood to the Alter

I hope that as they took that prayer today that they will put themselves in places to be nourished and to understand the significance of what they have done. I know the Ebenezer AME and Glenarden Baptist Church Families will make room for them and be more than willing to support them in their “Christian Walk.”

To God Be The Glory

I am sorry for the quality of the pictures. I only took my point and shoot camera to the service. I always feel very uneasy taking pictures at funerals. I never want to be disrespectful. There was a photographer from I assume a news station on the balcony taking pictures.  I suppose I really need to get over this and accept the fact that people will allow me to take photos, tell me to stop or throw me out. I read so many times from the street photographers that it is the confidence your bring to the table while shooting that makes the difference but I digress.

David “Nick” Lynch

4th Grade Play Ground for WBT, originally uploaded by marrngtn (Manuel).

Wednesday, 12/31/08, I was saddened to learn that a friend of mine from way back had been killed in a car crash. It is so ironic that only a week earlier I had found and posted this photo(Nick is all the way on the left with the red and white striped shirt) as part of my “Way Back Tuesday” pool on flickr.  I have known Nick since kindergarten at Glenarden Woods Elementary School.

2008 was a crappy year.  I lost my cousin, my dad, the son of very good friend/coworker and a relationship of significance in my life.  The year could not just leave with what it had already taken but had to add another in its waning hours.

I was so happy when we had our twenty year class reunion to learn that he was the football coach for Suitland HS.  I promised him that I would come and see his team play.  He laughed and said yeah everybody promises.

Much to his surprise I did bring my family out to see his team play football. I never will forget at the end of the game him running around collecting the flags from the stands.  I got to see another long time acquaintance at the game Chris Jones.

In 2006 we came out to Ravens Stadium in FREEZING weather to support the team in their championship game. Suitland won the game and it was well worth the expense of blankets and arctic gear.

RIP Nick…You touched the lives of so many young men….

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/12/31/AR2008123101058.html