Installations supporting All-American athletes

ARNEWS ^ | Jan 5, 2006

[SandRat]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Army News Service, Jan. 5, 2005) -- Three Army installations are actively supporting the U.S. Army All-American Bowl, the all-star high-school football game that will be played in San Antonio’s Alamodome Jan. 7.

Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Polk, La.; and Fort Drum, N.Y. all participated in a pilot program that connected their installation to the school of a nearby All-American. This program brought together outstanding student athletes with outstanding Soldiers, giving the students a perspective about the Army and why Soldiers decide to answer the call to duty.

The Army sponsors the All-American Bowl to recognize excellence demonstrated by America’s youth; foster leadership and teamwork; build stronger hometown relationships between the Army and local schools; and encourage the foundation of American family values that reflect the Army values of our Soldiers and families, said Col. Garrie Dornan, chief of the Army’s Community Relations and Outreach Division.

Fort Campbell

Fort Campbell High School football players were invited to visit installation facilities Dec. 22 and learn first-hand about how Soldiers train.

The students, including Fort Campbell’s All-American Micah Johnson, were first given a briefing about the installation by Deputy Garrison Commander Ted Purdom. The students were also given a tour of the facilities, a slide show that dealt with issues such as Army Transformation and a briefing on how Soldiers train for war.

Highlights of the tour included the students rappelling off a 34-foot tower at the fort’s Sabalauski Air Assault School and a simulation where students could “test” their aim, said John Minton, Fort Campbell’s Community Relations Officer. Since Fort Campbell students have moms and dads in the military, the tour also provided the students a chance to see what their parents do on a daily basis, said Minton. As of the end of December, about 20,100 of Fort Campbell’s 101st Airborne Division Soldiers were deployed to Iraq.

Each student received the honorary air assault school wings badge and a T-Shirt. They will also receive photos of the event by mail, Campbell officials said.

Fort Polk

Soldiers from Fort Polk’s 1st Battalion (Airborne), 509th Infantry Regiment visited Elton High School on Dec. 9 and met with about 200 students – both junior high and high school studentsl. The mayor of Elton and other elected officials also attended the event.

The Soldiers provided honorary “Geronimo” status to Elton High School’s Army All-American Al Woods. Geronimo status is symbolized by a certificate that is given by the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment to Soldiers who personify “strength and character,” said Fort Polk’s Tresa Hess, who works in Community Relations. Each football player and Woods’ parents were given a Geronimo patch.

The focus of the event was the Army’s “Call to Duty.” The Soldiers talked about why they joined the Army, what they do and why they continue to serve. And, each Soldier talked about one Army value – what it is and how it relates to his or her own life.

In addition, the students viewed weapons; watched the Warrior Ethos video, and participated in a “question and answer” forum. Hess said one young girl, after viewing the video, talked to a recruiter and said she wants to jump out of planes. Soldiers also emphasized how important it is for the students to finish their education.

Fort Drum

Fort Drum plans to send two Soldiers to support the actual bowl game in person. Fort Drum’s Soldiers will be joined by two Soldiers from the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C., who will also be there to support the game.

The All-American Bowl is the largest Army-sponsored event in America, Dornan said. He said it is an opportunity for the Army to enhance its connection with youth and for Americans to come together to celebrate achievements of youth and pay tribute to the thousands of Soldiers who followed their “Call of Duty” to serve the nation.

The All-American Bowl will be broadcast live on NBC at 12 p.m. CST. It will also be broadcast on Armed Forces Radio & Television and streamed real-time on Army Knowledge Online at www.us.army.mil.

For more information on the All American Bowl, go to www.army.mil/2006allamericanbowl/.

(Editor’s Note: This article was compiled by the All-American Bowl Press Center with information from the Installation Management Agency; Fort Campbell, Ky.; Fort Polk, La.; and Fort Drum, N.Y.)

[SandRat]

PING

[Man50D]

This program brought together outstanding student athletes with outstanding Soldiers, giving the students a perspective about the Army and why Soldiers decide to answer the call to duty.

It's bad enough the U.S. Army terrorizes Iraqi children. Now they are terrorizing children in the U.S.! :)

[E.G.C.]

BTTT