Marne Soldiers participate in Military Appreciation, Patriot Day football game

Photo By Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts | The 3rd Infantry Division Color Guard participates in the halftime presentation during the Richmond Hill High School Military Appreciation Day football game Sept. 11.  

RICHMOND HILL, GA, UNITED STATES

09.11.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Syreetta Watts 

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

RICHMOND HILL, Ga. - Richmond Hill High School, in honor of Patriot Day, hosted a Military Appreciation Day at their football game against Bradwell Institute in Richmond Hill, Georgia, Sept. 11.

Marne Soldiers supported the event by providing honorary captains for their adopted schools. Richmond Hill High School is the adopted school for the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and Bradwell Institute is the adopted school for the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

The event was coordinated by Jeff Jeffrey, the president of the Richmond Hill High School Touchdown Club.

"I want to say thank you for the great support from Division Headquarters all the way down to Fort Stewart Garrison," Jeffrey. "Thanks for doing a great job!"

Jeffrey said the game was broken into two events: Military Appreciation Day and a salute to welcome home all veterans.

The game began with Col. Phil Brooks, the commander for 1st ABCT, and Lt. Col. James Lander, the deputy commander for 2nd IBCT, serving as honorary captains and joining the players for the coin toss.

"It is an honor to be here tonight”, said Brooks. “We will never forget what happened on Sept. 11, 2001, and we will continue to remind ourselves that we stand united in 1ABCT and how it’s an honor to serve.”

At halftime, spectators witnessed a journey through history from the perspective of the Marne Division. The Division Color Guard led the way as Soldiers from 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment marched onto the field in different war-era uniforms while a brief history of the division’s contribution to each conflict was accompanied by music from the 3rd Infantry Division Band.

Following the ceremony, veterans from World War II to the present, representing all branches of service marched onto the field and received a standing ovation from the fans.

At the end of the night, after a hard-fought game, the Richmond Hill Wildcats were able to hold off the Bradwell Institute Tigers for a 17-14 win.

Despite one team having to walk away disappointed, Brooks was thankful to both schools for continuing to support the communities’ veterans and those who never made it home.

“This was a great opportunity to thank and give back to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Brooks.

• Date Taken: 09.11.2015
• Date Posted: 09.16.2015 16:55
• Story ID: 176261
• Location: RICHMOND HILL, GA, US