The military's Color Guard, since 9/11, has been prominent at almost every major sporting event, displaying America's colors during the national anthem. This will be no different during Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa. However, there's been a little media stir today about their attendance during the game. Witness an email that The Thunder Run claims to have received from a military mother, upset at the fact that her son will present the colors and then be escorted out of the stadium to watch the game remotely.
My youngest Marine called me this morning. In the course of the conversation he made mention of being part of the Color Guard for the ceremonies at the Super Bowl. He has been part of other Color Guards at other games and has been able to enjoy the entire game after presenting the Colors. HOWEVER, this will not be the case this time. The 12 man/women color guard will be presenting the Colors and then will be escorted out of the stadium and therefore not allowed to see the game. Steven and the 11 others are quite upset about this and have asked that I see if I could contact someone and have that changed.Now, if the NFL has allowed these military personnel to watch the game in year's past, this would seem to be highly problematic and kind of ridiculous. But that appears not to really be the case; Florio contacted the NFL today, following TTR's post and got the following response, posted originally at PFT.
"The members of the Color Guard have always been our guests at a Super Bowl party in a compound on the stadium grounds where they watch the game on big-screen TVs and enjoy food and beverage," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello told us via e-mail. "That is how we have done it every year.Although Aiello likely forgot to include "except Bruce Springsteen ... because he's The Boss," this seems like a pretty fair point from the NFL's perspective. Twelve people; that's doable in terms of providing extra tickets to the most profitable sporting event known to mankind (figures may not be exact). But 2,000? That's a whole lot of cheddar (Florio estimates about approximately $2 million) to be throwing down for free in a stadium with limited size.
[...]"The military provides an intra-service Color Guard as part of our pre-game tribute to the military that also includes the military fly-over of the stadium," Aiello said. "Then we arrange a place for the Color Guard to watch the game along with other pre-game and halftime show participants (more than 2,000 people)."
And if this was something new that the NFL was doing because of hard economic times, yes, there would be a legitimate beef on behalf of these military moms and soldiers. However, since it's a policy that's been intact for several years, I tend to think there's nothing particularly wrong with the way the NFL is handling this.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Listen, just because you are in the military does not give you special treatment over the 2000 other participants at the Super Bowl pre-game and halftime shows. This mom should be embarrassed by her letter, and her son should be asked to step aside from the colorguard participation for this event. To Carry our nations colors onto a stage as big as the Super Bowl is an honor and should be treated that way, and for him to whine about not being able to watch the game inside the stadium really ticks me off. As a former USN Colorguard Member from 1984-1989, I think this one soldier and his mom, have disgraced a time honored tradition, his unit, and The Corp.
I can't believe that in the time that we are living people are still saying sh..... about our service members. It is already to spend millions of dollars to defend your freedom but can't give one freaking ticket? I agree that is already an honor to carry the flag for our country should be enough but putting the marine to the ground with comments like everyone else is doing is fu.... stupid. I bet if they tell you go to Iraq defend your country and kill some poeple you and half of the americans in the states will go cry to their mom.
this is laughable for a myriad of reasons...im not sure what is more incredulous, a.)the fact that a marine had his mother call on his behalf, b.) the color guard feels entitled to get to seated at the game, or c.) the media is up in arms over this...
as a 11 year veteran of the military, my unit actually participated as 24 hour security (anti-terrorism unit) for the superbowl, however, not one of us complained that we werent able to get comp'd for our service....
HUA!
A Marine calling mommy, definitely that.
Im not a Marine, im not a solider but a Marine calling mommy cause they wont let him watch them play....wow never thought I would see that.
Can't really add anything to what has been said. Except that I am as outraged.
What a spoiled cry baby. Seems mom was negligent in explaining the facts of life to him and the honor that is not understood!
And those types of folks are aloud to carry our flag.Mmmmh
Damn mothers
can't leave well enough alone.
Wonder if baby boy is still participating as a member of the color guard.
Good job mom!
As a former marine and a member of various color guard duties. I would think this young marine should feel nothing more than a sense of duty to God,Country,and My Bloodred Flag.
President OBAMA is also pissed since the COLOR GUARD DOESN'T HAVE THE FLAG OF ISLAM THERE ALSO!
I have been in the Military over 25 years and agree wholeheartedly with all the previous posts, particularly the 1st one. Carrying our Nations Colors is an honor to any real Service member. If this young Marine has to call his mother over not being allowed to get free seats to the superbowl how does he handle real stress? BTW - I am also the mother of two Soldiers and would be appalled and embarrased if either of my sons called me with such a petty, selfish complaint.
None of you know this marine yet you are quick to jump on the bandwagon to belittle him? Yes it is an honor to be in the colorguard at the superbowl, but to be escorted out afterwards? I am also ex-military and i would have done what i could for myself and the other members to be able to stay for the game as well. It has nothing to do with his dedication to country. And yes he was still in the ceremony and did a damn good job...made me and all of his friends and family damn proud!
This Marine wasn't just some LCpl new to the Corps. He has served his country honorably and well. He is also no less of a football fan because of it. He was in the color guard for the SUPERBOWL. Even if they gave him a seat in the corner of the field I am sure he would have taken it. Can you imagine being in front of that crowd, before so many eyes....then get stuffed in a room somewhere to watch it on TV? He might as well gone home and watched it there. I'm proud to have served with him, I am proud to know him, and I'm glad he bitched about it.