I have been involved in the sport of wrestling since seventh grade, which is more than 30 years now. Throughout my wrestling journey, I have heard so much about what wrestling means to the people who choose to make it their passion.    Wrestlers talk about the life lessons learned from the sport, about work ethic, discipline, self confidence and goal setting skills. They also talk about the feeling of accomplishment that comes from pushing yourself to be your absolute best. Many wrestlers also talk about the enjoyment of the sport, and the satisfaction that comes from challenging competition.    For me, it's the people that keep me involved in wrestling. I became a wrestling junkie in 10th grade, and have never let go. Wrestling People are very special people. There is something about wrestling that brings good folks together. If you are a Wrestling Person, you know what I mean. They say that wrestling is a big family, and they are pretty much correct about that.    I remember in 1996, when Dave Schultz was murdered, and the sport of wrestling was in chaos. One of our greatest champions was taken away suddenly and it was a very hectic and painful time. I found it quite amazing how Nancy Schultz handled her personal family tragedy with so much dignity and respect and courage.    Nancy and I have become friends during the years, and she continues to inspire me with what she does and how she presents herself in spite of her incredible challenges. When Nancy speaks in public about that fateful period of her life, she always explains how the wrestling community came to her rescue. Wrestlers were there to help watch her kids, spend time with her when things were difficult, counsel her when she needed direction. Her commitment to wrestling, through the development of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Club and many other activities, was a way that Nancy was able to give back to the sport that reached out to her with love during an incredible time of need.    I can personally attest to what Nancy was talking about wrestling, based upon the last two-plus weeks of my life.    When my wife Patricia died on May 30, the wrestling community stepped up for me, big time. USA Wrestling staff friends came to be with me at the hospital that day, came to my home that evening, and provided a comforting place for me to stay that first difficult night. They were there to help me set up funeral arrangements and pull together my family and friends on very short notice. They helped make the worst time of my life something that I could get through. They gave me strength and they gave me love.    The support and care that I have received from the wrestling world has been overwhelming. Right from the start, people who I met through wrestling were there for me.     The church was crowded at the memorial service for Pat, including a tremendous turnout of wrestling people. It included staff members (current and past), coaches, athletes and U.S. Olympic Committee staff. All three wrestling styles were represented. The large turnout meant a lot to me, and certainly helped my family members deal with their personal crisis. When the service was over, many people  stayed in the Fellowship Hall and joined us for food and companionship.     When Rich Estrella, the coach of the U.S. Air Force wrestling team, found out that my wife had served in the Air Force, he made it his personal mission to make sure that she received proper military recognition. In spite of a very short time period, he made sure that the paperwork was filed and that the personnel were assigned. At the memorial service, the Air Force folded a U.S. flag and played taps in a very moving ceremony. When it was time to present the flag to me, it was delivered by an Air Force wrestler, a friend, a family member.    The biggest challenge we faced in those first few days was getting my step-daughter Eva home to be with us at the memorial. Eva serves in the U.S. Army, as a mechanic, and is currently deployed in Iraq. We went through whatever channels we could find to get word to her, so that she might be able to get home in time. There were only a few days to work with. We contacted Van Stokes, a USA Wrestling leader who works for the Army. Van provided tremendous counsel to us, and used his skills to find out as much information as he could about the efforts to reach Eva. Her unit was reportedly on the move, with a communications blackout at the time. Somehow, the Army got the job done. They got word to Eva, sent her to Kuwait, then Germany, then back to Colorado, where she arrived the night before the memorial service. She was there to be with the family and say goodbye to her mother. As Van said, sometimes the system does work, and in my case, it was an amazing blessing.    I have received over 100 condolence cards, from all over the nation and the world, a majority from Wrestling People.  They are still coming. I received a card from the Czech Republic, an e-mail from Japanese journalists, and a bulletin board message from Iranian wrestling fans. Bob Condron, a USOC staff member and friend, called and left me a voice message from Athens, Greece, where he was on Olympic Committee business. Bobby Douglas, the 1992 Olympic Coach, also left me a message. I have heard from people I have not seen in decades, wrestling people who got the word through the internet or from other wrestling family members. Some of the people who have contacted me do not know me personally, but want to be there to support a fellow wrestling person. The list of friends who have reached out is way too large to post here.    Instead of flowers, we wanted to do something more permanent, and set up memorial funds. One was for an organization that takes care of pet animals, one of Pat's passions. The other was for the U.S. Women's Olympic Wrestling Team. Pat truly enjoyed watching the women wrestle, and would go to see them at the Dave Schultz Memorial Tournament when her health allowed. Many people have chosen to contribute to these memorials, another tremendous gift of support that is very meaningful to our family.    There are people within wrestling do not realize that I met Patricia when we both were working at USA Wrestling in 1988. If it were not for being a USA Wrestling staff member, I would have never met my soul-mate for the last 15 years.    It is very hard to express how much I appreciate what the wrestling community is doing for me at this time. I know that Wrestling People will be there with me during the challenges to come, as well.     On Thursday, I travel to Indianapolis for the World Team Trials. This major event is like an annual wrestling reunion. I am certain that many, many wrestling people will speak to me there, and do what they can to show that they care. I am a bit concerned about whether I can handle the emotions that will emerge when I see so many wrestling friends. However, to be honest with you, right now, there is no other place that I would rather be than surrounded by Wrestling People at an important wrestling event. I'm sure I will do OK. I know I will enjoy doing my job and just being a part of the tournament.    It is real easy for me to explain the meaning of wrestling in my life. First and foremost, it is the people that matter, and the people that have kept me motivated and involved. No matter what I have done for wrestling in my life, I have gotten so  much more back. Thank you wrestling family.