By the North Dakota Army National Guard
BISMARCK, N.D. — A North Dakota Army National Guard Soldier chosen to attend the Army All-American Bowl in Texas expressed his thanks to a local Rotary Club this morning.
Spc. David Young, of Devils Lake, is among only 20 Soldiers in the nation selected for an all expense paid trip to Texas for the ninth annual game. His wife, Sara, also was given a free ticket,
but not airfare. The Bismarck Farwest Rotary Club stepped in to help, collecting $415 for her ticket.
"I am very proud of the Farwest Rotary Club's efforts. Spc. Young has served his country well, both here and overseas, and we're delighted to see him given this opportunity. I'm sure it will be an unforgettable experience, and I'm glad his wife was able to experience it with him," said Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general. Sprynczynatyk and Brig. Gen. Al Dohrmann, deputy adjutant general, both are Farwest Rotary Club members.
Young joined the National Guard in November 2003 and works full-time as an information technology specialist at North Dakota's Camp Grafton Training Center. He mobilized to Iraq with Company A of the 164th Engineer Battalion from August 2005 through November 2006. While deployed, Young received a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action.
To be considered for selection for this event, Soldiers need to be of good moral character and have
received at least one of three significant military awards: the Silver Star, the Bronze Star with "V" device for valor, or a Purple Heart Medal.
The All-American Bowl consists of 90 of the nation's top high school football players competing in
an East vs. West challenge. The Army All-American Band also performs; it's comprised of talented
high school band members, cheerleaders and dance team members from across the United States.
The game will be broadcast on NBC at noon Jan. 3 from the Alamodome.