Brother of Fort Hood Soldier Plays in U.S. Army All American Bowl

Photo By Spc. Eric Martinez | Pfc. Scy Garland, a pharmaceutical technician for the 21st combat support hospital, Fort Hood, Texas, will miss her brother Lache Seastrunk, a running back for Temple High School, playing in the U.S. Army All American Bowl Game.  

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

01.07.2010

Story by Pfc. Jordan Johnson 

13th Public Affairs Detachment

SAN ANTONIO - Lache Seastrunk, Temple, Texas, is similar to the rest of the 90 players at the 10th annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio. He is among the elite high school football players in the world, shows great dedication to his craft and has an incredible will to improve on the field.

Seastrunk, a running back for the East team, also has something that sets him apart from most of his teammates. Whenever Seastrunk wears his U.S. Army practice or game jersey, he is representing a family member. Seastrunk's sister, Scy Garland, who is a private first class in the Army.

"I thank my sister, and all Soldiers, for the opportunity they give us," said Seastrunk. "I play for Soldiers."

Garland, a pharmaceutical technician for the 21st Combat Support Hospital, Fort Hood, Texas, deployed Thursday and won't get a chance to see her baby brother play in the All-American Bowl. She is very proud of him.

"The game is a great opportunity because it's the best of the best high school players playing," Garland said.

Seastrunk sees similarities between football players and Soldiers.

"The soldiers are fighting for freedom, and I am fighting for a win," Seastrunk said.

The game definitely carries special meaning since his sister is in the Army and the game is represented by the Army, he said.

"If she is willing to die for freedom, I can give my all in this game," the running back said.

The Army and football both require motivation and a positive attitude to be able to succeed at the highest level.

"Keep yourself motivated, stay positive and you'll be where you want to be," Garland said.

Where the West team will want to be when it is all said and done is in the winner's circle. All the players are used to being top dog on their high school team, but the players must mesh as one unit now that they are surrounded by peers.

"We are becoming a team," Seastrunk said. "Many of us are used to running the shotgun, but here we need to slow down and get used to running the "I"."

As the game comes closer to being played, both teams are making final preparations after a long week of drills, practices and scrimmages.

And after many months of training, planning and making final preparations, Garland is on her way to Iraq to serve her country.

Although Garland said she won't see her brother again until she gets back from Iraq, she does have some encouraging words for him.

"I love you, and I hope you have a good game," she said.

• Date Taken: 01.07.2010
• Date Posted: 01.08.2010 14:03
• Story ID: 43561
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US