I grew up knowing where my parents were when Kennedy was assassinated. A unifying moment for this country, everyone who alive on that day remembers what they were doing on Nov. 22, 1963.

My generation doesn't have the Kennedy memory, but we have a few moments, locked in time, that we will all remember forever:

The Challenger explosion, Jan. 28, 1986: I was in sixth-grade math class when a teacher came in to break the news.

O.J. Simpson's low-speed chase, June 17, 1994: I was at a Chicago Hooters (first and last time) watching the NBA Finals.

The terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001: I was just waking up, when I heard President Bush announce the worst attacks on U.S. soil.

Wisconsinites of all ages can add two more events to this list:

News breaks of Brett Favre's "retirement," March 4, 2008: I was in Paris, set to board the Metro to Montmartre, when I got an overseas text message from a friend saying, simply, "Brett's done."

Favre is reinstated and his plane lands in Green Bay, Aug. 3, 2008: Unpacking from a baby shower last night, I watched the event unfold on local TV.

Will these latter two events become memories engrained in the hearts and minds of Packers fans? A month ago, I would've said that Favre's retirement would, for sure. But with him unretiring, will that moment become usurped when No. 4 someday retires "for real?"

And how about that instant when Favre emerged from the private jet at Austin Straubel airport yesterday? I wonder how many people saw the event unfold. As I sat in front of the TV, the text messages from friends started pouring in. I said, out loud and to no one in particular, "The only way this would be better is if Brett ran off that plane in full uniform, wearing pads and a helmet." I was actually a little sad to see him wearing just a Nike T-shirt and shorts.

Of course, as lightning and rain struck Green Bay, I also found myself repeating, "Don't crash, don't crash," as the plane came in for a landing.

The circus surrounding the childish antics of both Favre and the Packers organization have been nothing short of mind-blowing for Green Bay fans. It's like two overgrown jocks aren't mature enough to admit they both screwed up, but while reconciliation is the best situation for both parties, their lack of social skills prevent them from moving on.

Yes, Favre screwed the team with his waffling. But on Sept. 8, does anyone question who will be the better quarterback to lead the Packers into battle?

Yes, Thompson and Mike McCarthy have watched an entire off-season of planning go out the window. But do they want to be the pair that kicked the best quarterback of all time to the curb? (Hey Thompson, watch your back and bring the dog in the house, you don't want a crazed fan to go all "Dan Devine" on your ass.)

Finally, these watershed moments have forced me, too, to make a difficult choice: am I bigger Favre fan or a bigger Packers fan?

Reluctantly, immaturely and emotionally, I must admit I'm a bigger Favre fan.

Since 1994, I've watched or listened to almost every single game he's played, missing a few when I was in college and unable to catch some Packers games on the East Coast. Since 1996, I've literally caught every single regular season and postseason Packers game, save maybe four.

Of course, I remember the Packers before Favre, but I only started caring about them when he took the helm. In short, I'm a Favre fan first, Packers fan second -- I just thought I'd never have to choose.

I know that Favre is less than a model citizen, and because I work among some veteran sportswriters, I've heard stories about the man that make me cringe -- stories that will never be reported. But keep in mind that I worked at the White House for Bill Clinton in 1996. He was a prime example of a man who I did not respect outside the office, but I maintain was an effective president.

Similarly, I'm a Favre fan, but only when he's on the field. Off the field, he's just a guy -- I don't stand by his decisions, his morals, his ethics or his politics -- whatever they may be. I just want to see Favre, in a Packers uniform, playing until he can no longer take a snap.

Honestly, if that means the Packers are 5-11 with Favre or 9-7 with Aaron Rodgers in 2008, gimme Brett. In a second.

I'll go out on a limb that those two Favre memories will still be ones we'll remember 20 years from now. And if my hunch is right, we'll have a few more engrained in our minds when this saga is finally over.