Memorializing Steelers fans who have served their country

My final thoughts

I am the daughter of a father who served in the US Army during the Viet Nam war, a granddaughter whose paternal grandfather served in the US Navy aboard air craft carriers in World War II as a tailgunner on a fighter/bomber.  My maternal uncle served in the US Navy as well.  I am honored that I was born near Fort Bragg, North Carolina, while my father served and my mother served in other ways.

One thing that many people forget is that while our service men and women serve, their families do as well.  There are so many Steelers fans that I have talked to over the years who have literally held down the fort at home.  To forget their service would be to do them dishonor as well.

To all who have served in the past and who continue to serve, I am honored to be a part of your extended family through our ties to a football team.  The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a long tradition of honoring members of the military, and it is great to hear individual stories of how those ties to ‘Steelers Nation’ have helped those in the armed services feel united, tied to each other and reminded of home regardless of where they serve or served.

There are several fellow fans who didn’t participate in my interviews.  I want to personally thank Ed Faust, Jimmy Peterson and Patrick D. Reed for their service and friendship.  I want to thank every Steelers fan who has been willing to give all they have to offer me my freedom.  And I respect them for being so unselfish.

This Memorial Day, I will be thinking of my family members for generations who put their country first yet kept home in their hearts.  I will also be thinking and praying for our wounded vets who have returned home, those who are still in harms way and serving.  I will be looking at photos of Steelers fans that are in their various uniforms and counting myself lucky to be a part of an extended family that have so much personal courage.

I invite you to find a fellow Steelers fan who has served or is currently serving and thank them for what they’ve given – and maybe find someone who could use a little Pittsburgh pick-me-up.  Let’s Go Steelers fans!

 

• VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
• Heroes at Heinz Field
• “Goodwill, Cleats, and Boots: An NFL Tradition Spanning Four Decades”
• USO website

If you have a personal story about a Steelers fan who served in the military and has passed, please leave a memorial post in the comments field below.

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