Building the bond between Marines and local first responders

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Marcin Platek | Gunnery Sgt. Carl Nelson Jr., a member of the Marine Corps team; runs with the ball during the Marine versus Cleveland First Responders game at the Cleveland Browns Stadium; which was a part of Marine Week Cleveland June 13; 2012. A large crowd came out to support the friendly match-up; which is one of many events offered during Marine Week Cleveland. At half time; the Quantico Marine Corps Band performed several numbers and Marines re-enacted the flag raising on Iwo Jima. The first responders came out on top at the end of the game; beating the Marine Corps team 28-0. More than 750 Marines will be in Cleveland until June 17 displaying Marine aircraft; vehicles and equipment; as well as interacting and sharing with the public the values and character of the Marine Corps. One of the culminating events will be a Marine Air Ground Task Force demonstration; which showcases Marines' ability to assault from ship-to-shore via ground and air; June 16-17 at Burke Lakefront Airport.  

CLEVELAND, OH, UNITED STATES

06.13.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Michelle Piehl 

Communication Directorate             

CLEVELAND – Marines and Cleveland First Responders competed in a flag football game in the Cleveland Browns Stadium, June 13, during Marine Week Cleveland, which ends, June 17.

Approximately 2,500 spectators came out to support the battle of the brave.

Prior to the game, Commander Keith G. Sulzar, with the Cleveland Police Department, 2nd district, shared his confidence in his team.

“We’re a little older than these guys,” said Sulzar. “Hopefully the experience helps. We’ve been together 20 years as a team.”

Although the Cleveland Police Department has been practicing as a team for the past 20 years, they recently combined with other local emergency response crews to form the First Responders team.

Sulzar’s confidence in his team reflected in his pre-game prediction.

“They’re going to be seeing a lot of the backs of our jerseys,” said Sulzar with a smirk.

Sgt. Mark A. Kalinowski, a platoon sergeant with 3rd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, and Parma, Ohio, native, expressed great confidence in the abilities of his teammates.

“We have exceptional athletes,” said Kalinowski. “It is going to be a close game, but I believe we have the edge.”

Unfortunately for the Marines, the game was not as close as anticipated.

The First Responders took a quick lead in the first half, scoring two touchdowns and one two-point conversion, leaving the halftime score 14-0.

The Quantico Marine Band provided half-time entertainment with a performance of patriotic tunes as Marines stormed the field in a rousing reenactment of the iconic Iwo Jima flag raising.

The First Responders maintained their lead in the second half with a quick touchdown and one-point conversion. Minutes later, the First Responders scored their fourth touchdown of the game, followed by a one-point conversion.

The final score was 28-0.

Despite the loss, members of the Marine Team remained optimistic about the camaraderie built during the game.

“We gathered together, pulled as tight as we could and gave everything we had,” said Staff Sgt. Andrew W. Leath, a Menomonee Falls, Wis., native with 3/25.

He explained the First Responders had the advantage of training together for several years. The Marine team was assembled only eight weeks prior to Marine Week, thus giving a distinct advantage to the First Responders.

The United Service Organization and Bank of America provided a large trophy featuring the Marine Corps emblem for the victors.

“I enjoyed it thoroughly,” said Patrolman Sean Gorman, a Cleveland police officer, about the game. “It’s a joint effort. Everybody is ultimately on the same team. It was a great competitive time between two great entities.”

Alex Coley, a Lakewood, Ohio, native, came out to support the Marines and local first responders at the stadium.

“I’ve known about Marine Week for a long time,” said Coley, whose son is stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif. “It’s fun to support the Marines and police.”

The police department and Marines worked closely during Marine Week.

“It’s been going great,” said Sulzar. “All of these events require some sort of crowd control or police presence. It has been a collaborative effort between us. We want to keep people coming in and to feel safe here.”

The game served as an opportunity to provide a fun event for Marines and local law enforcement, as well as build community ties.

“We both basically do the same job, us inside the country and the Marines outside the country,” said Sulzar. “We are all here to defend freedom.”

• Date Taken: 06.13.2012
• Date Posted: 06.14.2012 09:27
• Story ID: 89967
• Location: CLEVELAND, OH, US
• Hometown: CAMP PENDLETON, CA, US
• Hometown: CLEVELAND, OH, US
• Hometown: LAKEWOOD, OH, US
• Hometown: PARMA, OH, US