CBS News Anchor Dan Rather writes about watching the Flying Valentis while growing up. He writes, "Walking past a vacant lot on our way to school early in the morning, we would come across the Flying Valentis practicing in their long tights and tank tops." The Flying Valentis were a troupe of circus acrobats who traveled and performed throughout the United States.

"Although we were used to their art," Rather recalls, "the Flying Valentis never ceased being the wonder of the neighborhood. Every morning it was like getting invited to a great show without having to buy a ticket. They did triple somersaults above their practice nets and caught each other by the forearms while swinging from the trapeze. We’d gasp when they missed connections and fell into their nets."

From watching this famil…