Memorializing Steelers fans who have served their country

Personal Stories

Ray Bennett:  “I served in the army from Nov 1991-Nov 2011 when I retired. I served in Iraq for 13 months. I always traveled with my Terrible Towel and would watch as many games as I could on AFN when I was out of the Country. I always had to show my Pittsburgh pride. It would give you a sense of pride and help with the homesickness. Today’s youth and mentality is about them and not about what they owe to the Country. They expect everything to be given to them instead of earning it. People just don’t care anymore. The only thing more important than family is to do your duty to your Country.  Go STEELERS!”

Larry Hudson (Sgt. US Army – Iraq 2006-07):  “The Steelers were a bond.  I was deployed with a brigade from Texas so it was a fun time harassing each other about teams. I had my terrible towel, a flag, a sign on my door, a pouch on my rifle to hold ammo, and my helmet tattoo.”

David Mong (BM1 US Navy Reserves – Kuwait 2005-2006):  “When I was deployed to Kuwait in 2005-2006 we were tasked with inspecting vehicles coming back from Iraq. Making sure no foreign soil came back (to keep foreign diseases from being introduced to Americans). As we watched countless machines full of bullet holes and blown apart…Never really knowing what happened to the brave soldiers in these vehicles. But what we did see (were) Steelers Logos stenciled on them. I wore Steelers sideline ball caps off duty. I always have been a Steelers fan. However it became more of a family name to me when the people from the Steelers sent tv’s so we could watch the super bowl against the Cardinals, which we won… I think it should reflect the support the Steelers franchise gives to the men and women serving this great country.”

 

Andy Russell/Linebacker Pittsburgh Steelers

1968 USO Tour to Vietnam and Army veteran: “We arrived the day before the Tet Offensive started. On the way to our hotel, our escort officer handed me an M-16 with a double clip. He said, ‘Lieutenant Russell, here’s your weapon. You’re riding shotgun because we don’t have anybody to do it. We know that you were in the service and qualified with this weapon, so you have to be sitting shotgun on your trips.’ That’s how we started our journey. That night we had to protect every entry point of the hotel So I pulled guard duty for two hours, with my weapon pointing down a stairwell, and I was ready to use it. That experience, though, couldn’t compare to the soldiers who risked everything to support our way of life. They faced these dangerous situations daily. We were thrilled to pay our respects to the troops.”

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