J. ODonnell

[Tony Reali @TonyReali]

For us sports fans of a certain age, the sports section of the newspaper taught us how to read. I didn’t grow up with the Washington Post sports section, but I did grow up because of it. Today’s a sad day for my friends and for all of us.

[Chuck Culpepper @ChuckCulpepper1]

So on the 4,167th and final day of a job so exhilarating that I'd swear at least 4,000 of the days qualified as very good or better, the coffee came with whooshing thoughts of the 11 years and the four months and the 27 days.

The brain tore through the datelines from 17 countries and 43 states, the three World Cups, the four Olympics, the 10 tennis majors, the 20 golf majors, the 11 men's Finals Four, the 28 College Football Playoff games, the 10 Kentucky Derbys, the tour of Jordan-Oman-Kuwait-United Arab Emirates, the 46 days in the peerless Australia -- I mean, come on, really? -- the depth of the beauty of South Koreans, and those times when I looked in the mirror (briefly) and saw a lunatic.

Maybe the looniest would be covering a game in Seattle on a Friday night, then a game in Clemson on that Saturday night (with Lamar Jackson on the field looking even more dizzying than usual). Or was it the Boise on a Friday night, the students swimming into the frigid river for a goal-post chunk after midnight, then the one hour of sleep, then the Indianapolis on a Saturday night? No, wait, wait, it had to be this: Novak Djokovic winning the French Open in Paris on Sunday early evening, then U.S. Open golf preparations starting on Tuesday . . .

. . . in Los Angeles.

Non-deranged people might find such a sequence unfair; for whatever metabolic reason, I just kept giggling.

Well, something surpassed all of that, somehow. To be part of the Washington Post Sports department was to be a part of an exemplary human experience, a rarefied collegiality, a beacon of collaboration and a near-bewildering scarcity of envy. For just one thing, I never, ever thought, way back last century, that I'd inhabit a world and a staff where everyone would treat my husband as one of the group, where a deputy sports editor would say, in a kitchen, near the end of a holiday party, "Alfonso! Come over here and hug me!" All of it reinforced that on the medal stand of life, human collaboration deserves a spot and maybe even the gold, for its curious capacity to bolster seemingly all 35 trillion of our cells.

I love these forever teammates all so much it probably annoys them, and they call to mind a relic of a show always worth unearthing. It's Episode 168 of "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," the episode she titled, "The Last Show," when the WJM newsroom staff works a final news show and has a last group hug, and Mary wishes to emote, and Lou wishes not to emote, but then Mary gives a stirring speech and then the ever-gruff Lou relents and, in a quaking voice, says something resonant all the way clear into February 2026:

"I treasure you people."

[J. ODonnell @odcinco]

My great-uncle Lawrence T. Sullivan was one of the 20 dead. Graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. @MMAAdmissions

[MMWWII @USMMWWII]

#OTD 14 March 1942 the Lemuel Burrows (Master Grover Dale Clark) was torpedoed by U-404 about 5 miles off Atlantic City after spotting the silhouette of the ship against the bright lights of the city. (Washed up relics).Crew 34 (20 dead & 14 survivors). https://t.co/L03j5jyjVC

[Travis Manion Foundation @TMFoundation]

Today marks an unforgettable moment. 

Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro has announced that the new naval ship, scheduled for procurement in 2025, will be named the USS Travis Manion. 

This vessel will support U.S. Marine Corps missions, including assaults, special operations, and humanitarian efforts, honoring Travis’ legacy of service and sacrifice.

It will stand as a lasting tribute to his remarkable life, ensuring that his legacy is carried forward for generations to come.

#IfNotMeThenWho #USNA #USSTravisManion #Legacy

[The Beatles Earth @BeatlesEarth]

Today in 1980, we lost an icon.

The Beatles’ songs changed the course of pop music and the lives of billions of people.

His advocacy for peace and love changed the world.

Rest in Peace, John Lennon 🖤✌🏼🕊

[SportsCenter @SportsCenter]

WHAT A PERFORMANCE FROM HEISMAN CANDIDATE TRAVIS HUNTER 🔥

[Kirk Herbstreit @KirkHerbstreit]

I’m sorry I couldn’t properly lead to this beautiful tribute the @CollegeGameDay put together. Really wanted to thank all of you for the avalanche of love and support you’ve shown Ben. It gives me and my family such comfort knowing how he impacted so many peoples lives around the country. He was a beautiful and loving soul.

[J. ODonnell @odcinco]

@AlaskaAir flight 435 was at the gate at Dulles since at least 0700. We fully board, then at 0900 departure time we are told that we need to deplane while the battery charges? 1–3 hours? Really?

[Winston “Hopeful Universalist” Smith, Tweet PhD @VentureCoMining]

I bought the Red October model used in the movie. It’s arrived.

[J. ODonnell @odcinco]

Daly @georgetownprep Class of ‘41. “Against All Odds” a truly brilliant book.

[alex kershaw @kershaw_alex]

Michael Daly, 19, MOH recipient, has just fought his way ashore on Omaha Beach. Star of my book, Against All Odds.

[Matthew Cappucci @MatthewCappucci]

Gaithersburg – you NEED TO BE BELOW GROUND.

This is not a "typical Maryland tornado."

This is a potentially long-track supercellular tornado with EF2+ damage possible. If you are not in shelter, you could be killed by flying debris.

[U.S. Naval Institute @NavalInstitute]

Because the Navy needed more ships during WWII but the shipyards were already working at full capacity, 24 destroyer escorts were primarily built in the Rocky Mountains and then transported by rail in sections to be assembled 1000 miles away at Mare Island.
#WarshipWednesday

[Scott Van Pelt @notthefakeSVP]

If you are older, you knew exactly what day Sports Illustrated showed up in the mailbox. Found this just last week and it took me back to a time when the team was great, they were called something different and if your team made the cover, it was the greatest thing ever. RIP SI.

[U.S. Central Command @CENTCOM]

Iranian-backed Houthi small boats attack merchant vessel and U.S. Navy helicopters in Southern Red Sea

On Dec. 31 at 6:30am (Sanaa time) the container ship MAERSK HANGZHOU issued a second distress call in less than 24 hours reporting being under attack by four Iranian-backed Houthi small boats. The small boats, originating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, fired crew served and small arms weapons at the MAERSK HANGZHOU, getting to within 20 meters of the vessel, and attempted to board the vessel. A contract embarked security team on the MAERSK HANZGHOU returned fire. U.S. helicopters from the USS EISENHOWER (CVN 69) and GRAVELY (DDG 107) responded to the distress call and in the process of issuing verbal calls to the small boats, the small boats fired upon the U.S. helicopters with crew served weapons and small arms. The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense, sinking three of the four small boats, and killing the crews. The fourth boat fled the area. There was no damage to U.S. personnel or equipment.

[U.S. Naval Institute @NavalInstitute]

Because he had injured his right eye while wrestling at the U.S. Naval Academy, Lawson "Red" Ramage failed his initial submarine physical examination. He eventually passed by memorizing the eye chart before his second test. He later discovered that his "bad" eye gave him perfect focus when he looked through a periscope. Ramage would go on to be awared the Medal of Honor while commanding USS Parche. He created certificates for his entire crew to give them credit for the sub's success that led to the award.
#SubSunday

[Springsteen news - Point Blank @PointBlankSpain]

Wonderful and emotive goodbye to Shane MacGoway in Dublin. Watch the video. 👇

[Bruce Springsteen @springsteen]

Today, we pause in honor of our veterans. https://t.co/JIs4wUeD7s

[U.S. Marines @USMC]

Happy Birthday, #Marines!

For 248 years, Marines have been the first to fight.

That legacy now rests on your shoulders.

Stay ready, and Semper Fidelis.

#USMC #USMC248

[Capital Weather @capitalweather]

Earlier today we released our winter outlook. The headline was: "Let it snow: Our D.C. winter forecast calls for most in 5 years."

How much is that? Here's our projection with caveat this is an educated guess and low confidence.

(outlook link: https://t.co/Q3vJyx5svE)

[U.S. Department of the Interior @Interior]

On National Bison Day, we celebrate this majestic symbol of strength and resilience. The bison represents our rich American heritage and is one of the greatest conservation success stories of all time. 🦬

Photo by Jacob W. Frank / NPS