Watch parties boost morale overseas
Friday, December 2, 2011
Many OSU alumni, serving our country as soldiers overseas, gather to watch the OSU
football games every week as a way to connect with home.
“For three or four hours, some fortunate Cowboys fans, (those not out on a mission,
sleeping on rocks on the side of a mountain or pulling guard duty) are able to gather
together, cheer and yell for our team, forgetting where we are at and putting aside
some of the burdens we bear,” said Sergeant First Class Terry Brandenburg.
There are two alumni groups of soldiers who are stationed overseas that are in contact
with the OSU Alumni Association. The alumni association, along with the marketing
department, send packages to the alumni stationed overseas and help facilitate events
for other alumni chapters as well.
“Some soldiers may just see the highlights, but by providing posters, flags and OSU
decorations they get to show off their spirit every day,” said Pamela Stubbs, director
of chapter relations at the alumni association. “Other colleges are represented in
Afghanistan and Iraq, so we try to get as much to them as possible.
“Watching the games overseas is a chance for the soldiers to take a break from what
they are doing and feel like they are back home watching their team play, if only
just for one night a week during the fall.”
“It [watching the games] has helped us get through some of the darkest times this
unit has faced since WWII and Korea,” Brandenburg said. “Nothing can replace our fallen
heroes, but there are times when game day is the most exciting thing to look forward
to, beside going home, and something that helps us get through another day here.”
The 45th infantry sent both the OSU Alumni Association and the OSU football team
a U.S. flag that was flown at their base in Afghanistan. The flag that was used by
the Spirit Rider at the Kansas State football game was the flag received by the team.
The football team has signed two flags that will be sent to both the 45th infantry
and the 366 MP CO in Iraq.
There are several OSU alumni members who are serving in the 45th infantry and several
others who have attended OSU or will attend, after their tour in Afghanistan. Watch
parties are filled with excitement and lots of cheering and yelling for the Cowboys.
“Watch parties are loud, rowdy and boisterous, and everyone has a loaded rifle or
pistol,” Brandenburg said. “It gives an entirely new meaning to ‘pistols firing.’
Now imagine Bedlam.”