Wounded Warriors Attend The Armed Forces Bowl 2010
(January 21, 2011) |
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| DALLAS, Texas (1-12-2011) - Whether an active-duty or
retired service member, or a civilian with no tie to the
military, when one of our country's men or women in uniform
walk by a missing limb or holding a cane, one cannot help
but feel a wave of sadness laced with a strong hint of
pride. |
Marines representing part of
Wounded Warrior Battalion-East from Marine Corps
Base Camp Lejeune and Brooke Army Medical Center
aboard Fort Sam Houston, Texas, stand in the end
zone of the Armed Forces Bowl 2010 post-season
college football game to be recognized by the
thousands of fans in the Gerald J. Ford Stadium in
Dallas, Dec. 30, 2010. The trip to Dallas was a
two-part event, where not only were the wounded
warriors able to attend a football game and be
recognized, but also distribute resumes to various
big-name corporations for job opportunities after
they leave the service. |
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Such was a
common sight with select patients of the Wounded
Warrior Battalion-East aboard Marine Corps Base Camp
Lejeune and Brooke Army Medical Center aboard Fort
Sam Houston, Texas, as they attended the Armed
Forces Bowl 2010 in Dallas, Texas, Dec. 28 to 30.
The AFB 2010 was a two-part event with one day
dedicated to the wounded warriors' introduction to
various employment recruiters from major U.S.
corporations to turn in their resumes as a
head-start to obtaining a job after they leave the
service. The next day, they attended a post-college
football game and were recognized for their
sacrifices in front of thousands of fans.
“The main focus of this trip is for the transition
of ill or injured patients into civilian life with a
‘foot in the door' with big name corporations,” said
Capt. Steven Miller, officer in charge of the
Warrior Athlete Reconditioning program, WWBN- |
| East. “The other
focus is to have this be a natural environment for
the wounded warriors where they can lay back and
relax instead of feeling like a petting zoo
exhibition.” |
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The trip started with a C-130 flight out of Marine Corps Air
Station Cherry Point to Dallas/Fort Worth International
Airport in Texas; a day dedicated to checking in and
receiving any additional information about the trip. The
following day is when the wounded warriors, employment
recruiters and other participants attended the recognition
and kickoff luncheon at the Omni Fort Worth Hotel, where the
service members were staying.
“It's important for the
young guys with not too much time in service to take
advantage of opportunities like these,” said Gunnery Sgt.
Tim Murray, patient with WWBN-East. “Those wounded warriors
who won't be receiving retirement pay need to take hold of
any job options they come across.”
After the
warriors' resumes were completed, the Marines were free to
explore historic Fort Worth and all the famous lone star
splendor the town had to offer.
The next day was game
day as the wounded warriors headed to Dallas to the Gerald
J. Ford Stadium where the United States Military Academy
West Point team Army Black Nights faced off against the
Southern Methodist University team Southern Methodist
Mustangs. The wounded warriors were given skybox seats to
overlook the gridiron onslaught in comfort.
During
the halftime session, the wounded warriors were lined up in
the end zone where their service and sacrifice was
recognized by the thousands of fans whom exploded in
applause as the wounded protectors of their country stood
before them.
“I've never experienced anything like
this before,” said Lance Cpl. Shawn Lopez, patient with the
WWBN-East. “It's been a pretty rough year for all of us.
It's very humbling, heartwarming things like this that make
you realize people really do care about us.”
At the
conclusion of the game, the Black Knights bested the
Mustangs 16 to 14; a close game. Yet with the love of the
sport and the caliber of attendees, the teams weren't in it
to win, but to put on a show for the troops.
Following the game, the wounded warriors got up close and
personal with Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band as they
preformed a post-game concert for the troops and
participants. The wounded warriors got their photos taken
with Sinise, enjoyed renditions of such songs as "Purple
Haze," "Sweet Home Alabama," "The Devil Went Down to
Georgia" and an unforgettable duet of "A Natural Woman" with
Miller up on stage as the figure of the two singers'
affections.
As the concert wound down and the wounded
warriors reluctantly made their way back to the awaiting
C-130, the dual face of the trip was not to soon be
forgotten: the Marines were given a head-start in their
finding employment after their tour of duty is completed,
and they, as well as all of the participants involved, will
forever remember that there are those who do deeply care. |
Article and photo by USMC LCpl. Jonathan Wright
Camp LeJeune Base Public Affairs
Copyright 2011 | |
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