COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M head football coach Mike Sherman is currently in Baghdad speaking to the United States troops deployed in Iraq.
              Â
"I had hoped to make it to Baghdad for Aggie Muster," Sherman said before leaving for the Middle East on Sunday, May 2. "The genesis of Muster dates back to World War II in Corregidor with Aggies gathering together to remember their days in Aggieland, to remember those who are no longer with us. You know that is one thing that is very unique to Texas A&M. Once an Aggie, always an Aggie, even in death, someone answers `Here' for our fallen Aggies. I had hoped to be a guest speaker for Aggies in Iraq, but it just didn't work out. Thanks to many, many people, and especially some highly-placed friends of Texas A&M and many generals with stars on their shoulders, I have this great opportunity to visit and say, `thanks' to our Aggies serving in this area, as well as say `thanks' to all of our troops."
Sherman said he first came up with the idea in January. Then just a few weeks later, he received an email from Kyle Gilbert Class of '05, an Aggie serving in Iraq, asking if it would be possible for him to come for Aggie Muster, which is celebrated and remembered each April 21. Sherman personally paid the expenses of the trip after receiving permission from Texas A&M President Dr. Bowen Loftin.
              Â
"As I have gotten older, I have an even greater appreciation for our country and the freedoms we enjoy because of our armed services," Sherman stated. "I am so very honored to represent Texas A&M as the football coach and in a very small way let them (service people) know how much we all appreciate their daily sacrifices. As fathers and mothers, sisters and brothers, to let them know how much we appreciate their efforts to secure our freedoms, and the difference they make for us here in America, as well as for the people in Iraq, and in the entire world."
"At Texas A&M, we talk about Building Champions," Sherman continued. "On the football field we are headed in the right direction. But being a champion is more than what you do on a playing field, it's about the tools needed to be a champion each and every day of your life. When I think about our men and women in the armed services, they exemplify the areas such as competition to be your best every day, the commitment to excellence, the attention to detail, the teamwork that is necessary and the unselfishness you have to display to truly be a champion."Â
              Â
"My dad served in World War II, my uncle was at Okinawa, and my grandfather fought in Europe in World War I," Sherman explained. "Texas A&M still commissions more officers to the United States Armed Services than any other institution besides the (United States) Service Academies, so the military is very important to Texas A&M. I think about these men and women who volunteer to serve and I want to shake their hand and to personally tell them thank you. Whether they are an Aggie, a graduate of one of the academies, or a (Texas) Longhorn, they are all very special. Regardless of the duty or assignment, each member of our armed services is courageous, and this is a very special trip for me."
NOTES FROM COACH SHERMAN'S TRIP
- Coach Sherman met members of the United States Division-South (USD-S) troops stationed in Tallil, Iraq. Â
- Text Messages from Coach Sherman:
"The state of Texas has quite a few soldiers serving in Iraq and I was excited to meet many of them today. Met lots of Aggies and took some pictures. Also met quite a few (Green Bay) Packer fans, and a Nebraska Cornhusker fan. Met Col. Sean Ryan, a Miami Hurricane fan, and Col. Debish, a Texas Longhorn fan.
The troops I have met are very impressive and they make me proud that they are on our team, very proud to be an American."Â 8:15 pm Baghdad time - Later today, Coach Sherman will make his way to Camp Victory in Baghdad where he will be hosted by Lieutenant-General Robert Cone, the United States Forces-Iraq (USF-I) Deputy Commanding General for Operations (DCG-O).