The Icelandic Canadian - 01.08.2002, Síða 31

Vol. 57 #1
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
29
Viking Vopnford
by Kelda Vopnford
Iceland is a nation whose people are as
visionary, bold and strong, as the land
itself. An island continent once forged by
countless volcanic explosions and settled
by Viking warriors and their families, it
eventually became home to only those who
could seize and conquer the countless chal-
lenges of rugged terrain, sometimes
demanding weather and constant attacks.
Tempered by these many challenges,
Icelanders grew to possess an indomitable
spirit to achieve and succeed. In the bold
and strong traditions of the Icelandic her-
itage, Icelanders continue to carry their
own compass. And, as the once dominating
Viking naval and ground forces did, they
still follow their own “magnetic north”.
It is from these roots that my younger
brother and I were conceived. And it is
from the indomitable will to persevere and
succeed that Icelanders share, which my lit-
tle brother derives his athleticism and com-
petitive attitude.
Even as a baby, Leif displayed rare
strength and coordination. I can remember
my father hanging Leif by his hands from
the top bar of the swing set. Leif was only
about 18 months old, as he still had a dia-
per on and his “binky” (pacifier) in his
mouth. At that tender age, Leif could pull
his weight up with his arms and “chin”
himself on that swing set bar. My father
was so proud of him for being so strong
that whenever we had company, he’d take
Leif outside to the swing set that summer
to let Leif do his chin-ups!
From the moment Leif arrived upon
this earth, he was blessed not only with a
tremendous natural athletic ability, but
with a competitive drive that makes him
push himself to excel; and more important-
ly, a natural charm and charisma that
makes him instantly likeable to everyone,
even those meeting him for the first time.
Back in the 50’s, I think Leif would have
been described as a “man’s kind of a guy.”
He was always just one of those little boys
that people would gravitate to, and every-
one would be smiling while they watched
him.
My father used to do some business
with the Seminole Indian Tribe in the State
of Florida, and the Chief of the Tribe,
James Billie, became a friend of our family.
He was completely entranced by Leif’s
charm, and I can remember one Christmas
vacation, much to my mother’s dismay,
when the Chief took Leif home with him
for an overnight visit while we were in
Southern Florida. Chief Billie took Leif out
on an airboat to “catch” alligators in the
swamps of Lake Okeechobee. That’s just
the kind of kid Leif is!!
What a strange coincidence that Leif
got his athletic start in playing for a Pee
Wee Football League in Omaha, Nebraska
called “Li’l Vikes.” My parents enrolled
him at seven years of age in this league and
Leif continued to play until he was nearly
14 years-old. At that time, he was a mem-
ber of the Junior Varsity Football team in
our home town of Blair, Nebraska, and
time restraints forced him to quit his
beloved Li’l Vikes team.
While Leif was a pre-teen, besides
playing Pee Wee Football, he played
YMCA Basketball and Little League
Baseball. When he was in the 4th grade, he
was the only 4th grader to make the “Fifth
Grade Traveling Team” for the YMCA
League he played in.
Leif is a Senior at Blair High School
now, and was the Quarterback for our
football team as a Junior and Senior. Not
only did he play Offense, as the QB, but he
also played Defense as a “Free Safety”. He
came in 2nd in the State of Nebraska, both
as a Junior and a Senior, with six intercep-