Mom remembers sitting in a high school classroom on Nov. 22, 1963, when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas.

Dad recalls waking up his 2-month-old daughter Lori and propping her in front of the black-and-white pictures of the lunar landing on July 20, 1969.

Certain dates and moments are locked into our memories. Feb. 7, 2010, at least for those in this region, likely will remain for a lifetime. An outpouring of years of support and heartbreak, triumph and tragedy was expressed in many ways.

Sean P. Murphy is Web editor. He can be reached at smurphy@vicksburgpost.com

A fanatic woke early Sunday to drive to Oxford just to watch the New Orleans Saints-Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl, then return that night for early work Monday just to say he witnessed the game with his dad.

A Vietnam veteran and Saints “lifer” nearly tore the roof off his house with bellowing “Who Dat?” chants.

An unnamed woman from Chalmette, La., speaking on WWL radio’s postgame show wept as she tried to say, “God has answered our prayers.”

A sympathetic Saints fan, who has cheered for another team known for generations for losing, left at the crack of dawn to travel to the Big Easy simply to enjoy the vibe of a moment that seemed impossible for decades.

Celebrations were far and wide one week ago today, whether by the most ardent “lifers” or those catching the groove a bit late.

Some at the Avenue Pub on St. Charles Avenue in the Garden District before Super Bowl Sunday couldn’t tell the difference between a hockey puck and a football, yet they cheered and embraced those who have been sitting in the same place at the same pub for 30 years and were accepted as family.

When the game ended, the lifers flowed onto the wide avenue alongside the newbies and celebrated together. No matter their zeal for the team, they shared in the moment by geography if nothing else.

The Saints home is in New Orleans, but they are a regional team. After Hurricane Katrina hit in August 2005, the team began to rebuild its scattered fan base, they did it inside and outside of Louisiana. The team held preseason camp at Millsaps College and became a true regional team, one still best known for losing, but the hometown team nonetheless.

It’s more fun to root for a winner, which has led to an increased fan base and that irks some “lifers.” But on Feb. 7 from New Orleans to Vicksburg to Oxford, it didn’t matter one bit. Everyone was a fan. Everyone was family. Everyone celebrated.

Bliss.