The U.S. military and the Super Bowl have shared quite a history together - more than 40 years! As each of us gathers with our family and friends this Sunday to participate in a proud American tradition, our military members are prepared to give us a special treat.
Which military members will be participating in the big day? I'm pleased to tell you that I have the answers. For the pregame - my favorites, The Air Force Thunderbirds, will dazzle the crowd with an amazing flyover; additionally our phenomenal and stealthy all-service U.S. Special Operations Command color guard will present the nation's colors during the game's national anthem. (which will be sung by the American Idol living across the street from my parents!)
I'm also happy to tell you that Gen Petraeus, commander of U.S. Central Command, will be officiating the ceremonial coin toss.
It's nice to hear that the NFL has major respect for the military. Spokesman Brian McCarthy told the American Forces Press Service that, "The NFL has had a longstanding tradition of supporting the military. We have a great appreciation for what the military does and feel honored to include the military in the Super Bowl."
As I mentioned in an earlier post, military members in the land of sand will also get to join in on the event. McCarthy stated, "[The NFL] feels that the 70,000 fans attending the Super Bowl this year should be cheering louder for the military than the two teams playing. It is, indeed, very important for the NFL to look for every opportunity to support the troops."
I couldn't agree more. So please stop and think of them this Sunday, as you're noshing on all of your favorite foods and drinking your favorite beer and enjoying the comfort of your own home. I know I will.
Thanks to all our men and women around the world who protect us and keep us safe. We miss you every day. And now, let's get READY for some FOOTBALL!
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Friday, January 30, 2009
Monday, January 26, 2009
Base Housing - Living on the Outside
Anyone who's ever driven onto a military base will tell you one thing about all of the buildings - they look the same. Same colors. Same shapes. No flair. All uniform, including the base housing.
As a military brat, I've lived in a lot of base housing throughout the years. My favorite has to be the house my family lived in on Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA. It was old-school Southern style with hard wood floors and beautiful windows. Completely unlike regular military housing.
The runner up for me has to be the tower I lived in while my family was station at Yokota AFB in Japan. The building was on rollers and could withstand the sways that the earthquake tremors would bring to it, keeping its residents safe. That building protected my family many a time, and I would be thankful for it every time I woke up on the floor (instead of my bed) after a shake in the middle of the night. I awoke knowing it kept my family safe.
When you live on base you live next to other military members. You don't have any neighbors that are unfamiliar or come from different walks of life. Everyone is the same. Each morning they all wake up and put on a uniform and go defend our nation.
With that said, my family has chosen to live off base a few times in my father's career. The option to be able to pick a place that you actually want to live has always been an appeal to my Mom and it's always exciting to live next to non-military families.
As I've mentioned before, my folks are stationed in the great sunny state of Florida. Their off base housing allowance is decent and with all three kids out of the house my parents decided to rent a townhouse in a sweet community in Tampa Bay. I visit as often as I can and I have to say that it is one of the coolest casas my parents have ever had - the location, the community, the water!
As if living off base isn't a treat enough, my parents community is quite popular with the celebrity crowd. Several members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team live there, and a famous author who shall remain nameless.
With Tampa being the host city for the Super Bowl this year, other celebrities have set their sights on the community as well. For a few months now a hip-hop mogul has been interested in hosting his Super Bowl bash at the community's club. And just this week the famous American Idol superstar who is in charge of belting out the National Anthem at the big game temporarily moved in across the street from my folks.
Each time I get a celebrity update from my parents, I have to laugh. We're just a military family. And this would never happen on base. My parents really have the most interesting neighbors and the best part of it is, they don't even care.
As a military brat, I've lived in a lot of base housing throughout the years. My favorite has to be the house my family lived in on Barksdale AFB in Shreveport, LA. It was old-school Southern style with hard wood floors and beautiful windows. Completely unlike regular military housing.
The runner up for me has to be the tower I lived in while my family was station at Yokota AFB in Japan. The building was on rollers and could withstand the sways that the earthquake tremors would bring to it, keeping its residents safe. That building protected my family many a time, and I would be thankful for it every time I woke up on the floor (instead of my bed) after a shake in the middle of the night. I awoke knowing it kept my family safe.
When you live on base you live next to other military members. You don't have any neighbors that are unfamiliar or come from different walks of life. Everyone is the same. Each morning they all wake up and put on a uniform and go defend our nation.
With that said, my family has chosen to live off base a few times in my father's career. The option to be able to pick a place that you actually want to live has always been an appeal to my Mom and it's always exciting to live next to non-military families.
As I've mentioned before, my folks are stationed in the great sunny state of Florida. Their off base housing allowance is decent and with all three kids out of the house my parents decided to rent a townhouse in a sweet community in Tampa Bay. I visit as often as I can and I have to say that it is one of the coolest casas my parents have ever had - the location, the community, the water!
As if living off base isn't a treat enough, my parents community is quite popular with the celebrity crowd. Several members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football team live there, and a famous author who shall remain nameless.
With Tampa being the host city for the Super Bowl this year, other celebrities have set their sights on the community as well. For a few months now a hip-hop mogul has been interested in hosting his Super Bowl bash at the community's club. And just this week the famous American Idol superstar who is in charge of belting out the National Anthem at the big game temporarily moved in across the street from my folks.
Each time I get a celebrity update from my parents, I have to laugh. We're just a military family. And this would never happen on base. My parents really have the most interesting neighbors and the best part of it is, they don't even care.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Troops in Iraq Have a Reason to Celebrate: Beer & the SuperBowl
The top U.S. military commander in Iraq did a great thing on Wednesday. He passed a waiver that will bring our troops in the land of sand a little piece of home on Super Bowl Sunday. Beer.
The waiver grants authorization to all U.S. troops to drink beer but there are some rules. Only on this special nite, and a maximum of two beers a person. This waiver comes as our troops have begun to step back and take more advisory roles that come with less combat.
The no alcohol ban has only been lifted only one time before this, in 2005 and only for troops operating under the Baghdad command. Normally, if anyone is caught drinking in combat zones they are dealt a series of negative consequences. They can face a reduction in pay, a reduction in rank and can even be court-martialed.
Troops that are in Iraq who want to watch the big game will have to stay up late. After all, it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the big game gears up. But I guarantee that you won't hear many complaints. They'll be watching the game, drinking a beer and feeling closer to home for the first time in a long time.
Enjoy those beers and thank you for all that you do!
The waiver grants authorization to all U.S. troops to drink beer but there are some rules. Only on this special nite, and a maximum of two beers a person. This waiver comes as our troops have begun to step back and take more advisory roles that come with less combat.
The no alcohol ban has only been lifted only one time before this, in 2005 and only for troops operating under the Baghdad command. Normally, if anyone is caught drinking in combat zones they are dealt a series of negative consequences. They can face a reduction in pay, a reduction in rank and can even be court-martialed.
Troops that are in Iraq who want to watch the big game will have to stay up late. After all, it will be 2 a.m. in Baghdad when the big game gears up. But I guarantee that you won't hear many complaints. They'll be watching the game, drinking a beer and feeling closer to home for the first time in a long time.
Enjoy those beers and thank you for all that you do!
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