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| Spec. David Hutchinson flips the game coin as Lt. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli and Command Sgt. Maj. Dennis M. King look on. |
SAN ANTONIO — More than 90 Soldier Heroes and 90 elite high school athletes from around the country participated in the 10th Anniversary U.S. Army All American Bowl at the Alamodome here Jan. 9. Thirty-five Army Reserve Warrior Citizens were among the Soldier Heroes selected for the event.
Participating Soldier Heroes are veterans of either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom and recipients of an Army Commendation Medal with V device or higher. Many had received Purple Heart or Bronze Star medals, and one Army Reserve Soldier, Staff Sgt. David Hutchinson of the 420th Engineer Brigade, Bryan, Texas, had been awarded the Silver Star Medal. Each Soldier participated in a variety of All American Bowl game-week events, interacted with the top high school football players in the nation and talked about their Army Reserve experience.
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| Spec. David Hutchinson stands with Connor Wood from Second Baptist High School in Houston, Texas |
“We’re here to mentor them and teach them a little bit about what life (in the Army Reserve) is like,” said Army Reserve Staff Sgt. Genevieve Chase, a military intelligence specialist with the 301st Military Intelligence Battalion in Phoenix, Ariz.
For the past ten years the All American Bowl has been the nation’s premier high school football event including notable players such as Adrian Peterson, Reggie Bush and Tim Tebow. Soldier Heroes mentor each athlete by sharing with them the characteristics of an Army Strong Soldier—loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity and personal courage.
The All American Bowl is an opportunity for the American public to learn firsthand what it means to be a Citizen Warrior.
“There’s a growing gap between those who have served and those who haven’t served in our Armed Forces,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin C. Freakley, commanding general of the U.S. Army Accessions Command. This event is one way to “break stereotypes and connect America’s Army with America and make sure those young men, their parents, coaches and teachers understand that your Army is about options and opportunity, education and leadership.”
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| Capt. Tamara Bruch visits with Cedric Ogbuehi, a football player from Allen High School in Allen, Texas |
Army Reserve Soldiers such as Capt. Tamara Bruch, a military police officer with the 81st Regional Support Command in Fort Jackson, S.C. relished the opportunity to interact with some of the most talented athletes in the nation.
“Being here is an outstanding opportunity to support the talented youth of our country,” said Bruch. “I’m honored to be here.”
