My parents are stationed at MacDill in Tampa, FL and while I was on my holiday mini-break I unexpectedly got to experience my first NFL game. For the final game of their season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers released 250 free tickets for military families and their friends.
My family and a few of our friends went to the game. I must say, I was fairly impressed. With what you ask? Okay, so yes the stadium is amazing and I was floored by their REAL pirate ship . . . but what most impressed me was the love they showed the military members.
The honorary captain of the game was a solider who had just returned from a tour in Iraq. As the national anthem was sung, a giant American flag danced across the field.
On the final note, a military cargo plane and two military choppers graced us with a fly by. The crowd erupted in cheers.
While the Buccs lost the game to the Raiders (it was close though!) the coolest part of the entire experience was hanging out on the pirate ship. My dad's connections got us right up there (yeah for my fam, I love when we get to be VIPs!) and we had an excellent view of the game and even got to throw beads into the crowd.
Here are a few photos from the big game!
The SHIP!
The back of the ship . . .
My boyfriend Dan and I on the ship . . .
My parents on the ship . . .
And here we are tossing beads into the crowd . . .
Many thanks to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You made my first NFL game an amazing experience and you gave 250 military members and their friends a wonderful Christmas present!
1 comment:
This is so wonderful and heartwarming!
Happy New Year to you and you family!
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