Courtesy Photo | Chaplain's assistant, Spc. Jared Sanscrainte from Circleville, Ohio, hangs a flag from...... read more read more
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CAMP LIBERTY, Iraq - What started out as a simple idea from St. Louis, Mo. native, Capt. Greg Patton, the chaplain for the 620th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), turned into a mission for his assistant. Patton said that he wanted to decorate the local gym and dining facility, and since it was close to football season, NFL memorabilia sounded like a good theme. After the Green Bay Packers sent a care package containing a team flag, Spc. Jared Sanscrainte, the chaplain's assistant from Circleville, Ohio, expanded on his request from just teams of the Soldiers home states, to all the NFL teams.
According to Sanscrainte, the response has been better than expected with 30 of 32 NFL teams donating flags so far. Some teams have also included photos, t-shirts, towels and hats as well. Sanscrainte is unrelenting in his goal now to see "every team in the NFL represented."
"Surprisingly, many of the team owners or coaches have personally donated to the cause," Sanscrainte said.
Cardinal's owner William Bidwell personally donated according to Sanscrainte. They also share a common background in that Mr. Bidwell served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy. Sanscrainte believes this will benefit Soldiers because "it is a whole lot nicer walking into and working out in the gym now that it is properly decorated."
Spc. Wesley VanWinkle, from St. Louis, Mo. has been working with Sanscrainte from the beginning, and has helped him hang the NFL flags from the walls and ceiling of the gym. He stated that he played along with the game of trying to get a specific team's flag which turned into trying to get them all.
Patton said, "We only have the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles' team flags left to collect and we are not giving up."
In recognition of the team's contributions, Patton has returned the favor. He has sent out American flags which have been flown at Camp Liberty. "Many of the teams have been pleased by the return gift. In fact, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have written back stating they will proudly display the flags at their home stadium. In the end, the exchanged flags bring a little bit of home to the Soldiers, and have given their supporters in the NFL a reminder of the Soldiers that they have helped," Patton said.
| Date Taken: | 12.25.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 12.25.2009 16:55 |
| Story ID: | 43145 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 248 |
| Downloads: | 218 |
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