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St. Louis Rams Host Military Appreciation Day

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erica Crossen
  • 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill.-- --  The St. Louis Rams football team partnered with U.S. Transportation Command to celebrate Military Appreciation Day when the Rams hosted the Broncos Nov. 16.

The event included a pregame "Salute to Service" ceremony and a halftime show that featured honor guards representing every branch of the military.

"Today is all about honoring veterans around the country," said Navy Vice Adm. Andy Brown, Deputy Commander, U.S. Transportation Command. "We really appreciate the Rams organization for making a lot of veterans feel very special. Veterans have sacrificed so much to keep this country free; it's not just for the veterans, but their families as well."

Brown was the military guest of honor for the event, which included being midfield for the pregame coin toss to decide which team would receive the football first.

"We are still in need of servicemembers and our example of how we treat veterans is very important for the future as we try to maintain an all-volunteer force," said Brown.

He spoke about the aunt of an Airman he happened to meet on a flight. The woman's niece, 1st Lt. Roslyn Schulte, died May 20, 2009 in Afghanistan from a roadside bomb. The Ladue, Missouri, native was 25 years old. Brown decided it would be fitting to wear a bracelet from Schulte's aunt in memory of her, and shared her story during the event.

Capt. Ben Garland, who also plays guard for the Denver Broncos while serving in the 140th Colorado Air National Guard, said, "What a cool opportunity, you get to come out here and play a game, but on Military Appreciation Day, where you can really shine a light on our veterans out there and just thank them for their service."

Garland served at Scott Air Force Base for two years on active duty, before transitioning to the Guard and the Broncos.

NFL teams host Salute to Service games as an occasion to honor servicemembers, and as Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said, to raise awareness for everything associated with veterans, such as the Wounded Warrior Project.

"This has been going on for several years now in the National Football League. They really took advantage of an opportunity and we formed Salute to Service month," said Fisher.

He said this is an excellent opportunity for NFL teams to honor servicemembers in every area.