What's in a Name?

Stadiums are named after many different things.  Some are named for people, or streets, or their city, or their team - like my faves, the Giants and the Yankees.  But most nowadays are named for a company that shelled out the big bucks on naming rights

Growing up, we had an arena in Rochester called the War Memorial.  It was a venerable place for a smallish city.  Of course, the time came for renovations, and suddenly... Welcome to the Blue Cross Arena!  Technically, it's "Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial."  But nobody bothers to say the whole thing anymore.  It's just "Blue Cross Arena."  But to me, it will always be the War Memorial.  (I could question whether a supposedly non-profit public service entity like Blue Cross should be throwing money at an arena rather than at their core mission, but that's a topic for another blog.)  

Around here (Arlington, VA) we've got tons of War Memorials.  You would expect it, what with the Pentagon and all.  But with another Veterans Day approaching, I think it's a shame the rest of the country now has so few.  Sure, there are statues and monuments all over.  But they aren't the major public facilities and landmarks they should be.

The Giants play the Eagles tonight.  Time was, the game would have been at Veterans Stadium.  But no more.  Now, it's at Lincoln Financial Field.  It just doesn't sound (or feel) right.  I'm no Bears fan, but at least they still play at Soldier Field.