Photo By Spc. Andrew Ingram | Soldiers deployed to Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, watch the Green Bay...... read more read more
By Spc. Andrew Ingram
U.S. Division-North Public Affairs
CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – U.S. soldiers in time zones across the world stayed up late or woke up early to watch the Green Bay Packers defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers 31-25 in Super Bowl XLV, Feb. 6 … or 7, depending on their geographical location.
Many soldiers spent months anticipating Super Bowl Sunday, traditionally a day even service members deployed to combat zones can relax for a few hours and bask in a truly American pastime.
Soldiers deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, received a taste of this excitement early as the Super Sunday Tour visited Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Feb. 4-5.
National Football League players, Madieu Williams, a defensive back with the Minnesota Vikings; Daniel Graham, a tight end for the Denver Broncos; Drew Bennett, a retired wide receiver, who played for the Tennessee Titans, St. Louis Rams and Baltimore Ravens; and Denver Broncos cheerleaders Krystal-Lynn and Tara, ate meals with soldiers, signed autographs and toured the base to boost morale and thank service members for their dedication and sacrifices.
It is humbling to watch the personal sacrifices each soldier makes to serve the country, Tara said.
“The troops are always in our hearts,” said Tara. “They are such a big part of our lives and it is important for us to come out and say thank you.”
Events like the Super Sunday Tour are important, because they break up the monotony of deployment and give soldiers something to do, said Spc. Steve Heathman, an aerial sensor operator, Company B, Task Force Observe, Detect, Identify, Neutralize.
“This is fantastic,” said Heathman, a Titans fan from Memphis, Tenn. “I think it’s great getting to meet them, especially Drew. This is something I would never have gotten to do back home.”
While at COB Speicher, Williams learned he was selected as the Walter Payton Man of the Year via a video teleconference between U.S. Division-North Headquarters and an award luncheon in Dallas.
Surrounded by soldiers of the 4th Infantry Division, Williams officially thanked the NFL for the honor and the other nominees for their own humanitarian contributions.
“It is a tremendous honor to win this award named after Walter Payton, one of the greatest men to ever play in the National Football League,” Williams said. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there to accept the award, but it is an even greater honor to be here with the 4th Infantry Division and Task force Ironhorse.”
Williams received the award for his philanthropic work in Maryland and his birthplace, Sierra Leone.
Bennett said he felt honored and privileged to spend Super Bowl weekend in Iraq with his nation’s troops.
“All of this is really such a small gesture to come out here and say thank you, and let the soldiers know that back home everybody is thinking about them,” he said.
Soldiers can tell their families and friends at home about meeting the players and cheerleaders, and can look at the pictures from the tour after the deployment to remember good times in Iraq, said Sgt. Robert Sterns, infantryman, Headquarters Support Company, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Inf. Div.
“It’s nice to see these stars that you only see on TV come out and visit troops,” the Clackamas, Ore., native said. “This is an awesome experience. When we look back on pictures from this deployment, we will have memories of meeting these guys.”
At midnight Feb. 7, COB Speicher troops and civilians congregated at the dining facility and Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Center to watch the Packers’ victory and for a brief few hours revel in a very American experience.
In addition to watching the game, soldiers enjoyed a buffet of hot wings and pizza; took part in energy drink guzzling and hot wing eating contests; and played pool and ping-pong.
“This was a great night” said Spc. Craig Perry, human resources specialist, Company B, Division Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division. “I got to hang out with my friends and watch my favorite quarter back, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers win the Super Bowl!”
Hailing from Bonney Lake, Wash., Perry also celebrated his birthday Feb. 7 and said the party was one of the highlights of his deployment so far.
Whether watching from COB Speicher, Iraq; an aircraft carrier in the Pacific Ocean or the safety of home station, troops cheered and yelled, and for a few hours, enjoyed camaraderie, food and fun.
| Date Taken: | 02.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.09.2011 10:06 |
| Story ID: | 65072 |
| Location: | TIKRIT, IQ |
| Web Views: | 39 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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