Last Monday, millions of Americans watched as the New Orleans Saints ran with tears in their eyes into their newly rebuilt home.? After all the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the Saints were finally able to come back to their home field.? They performed a miraculous game that many believed that the Saints would not lose no matter who the team was.? They were able to come home and beat the Atlanta Falcons 23 to 3.? The game was only one amazing part of the night as millions of Louisianans packed the stands of the newly rebuilt Superdome.? The rebuilding of the Superdome’s roof alone was $1.5 million dollars and crews worked 24 hours a day repairing the roof.? The walls were covered in a new coat of paint and after the dome had sat in 6 feet of water for seven months after the hurricane, the Saints received a new astro turf field as well.? They never believed that they would be able to repair the dome in time for the Saint’s first home game, but the crews persevered and repaired the dome faster than any other in American history.?

Rebuilding the dome showed America and Louisianans that there was still hope.? Hope that their city could be rebuilt and that their team was ushering in a new era.? Saint’s fans in the dome and at home sat with tears in their eyes as they watched the unveiling of the new dome as well as a spectacular performance of their football team.? Fans continued to occupy the dome long after the game was over.? They cried, laughed, smiled and chanted for their team and their city.