Sept. 9, 2010
COLLEGE STATION, Texas--One of the core values of Texas A&M University is selfless service to others and as the Texas A&M football team prepares to face Louisiana Tech at Kyle Field on Saturday, Sept. 11, Texas A&M University wishes to recognize groups such as our military, especially our current students who have served in the military in Iraq and Afghanistan, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and members of Texas Task Force One with "First Responders Day" on Patriot Day.
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Members of these various groups were offered half-price tickets to the game which will kick at 6 p.m. on Saturday. Selected members of each group will be recognized on the playing field during pre-game ceremonies just before the national anthem is played.
At the conclusion of the national anthem, a flyover of F-18 fighter jets will move from south to north over the stadium. The VMFA-314, the Black Knights of Marine Corps Air Station, Miramar, California, with lead pilot Lt. Col. Max "Raisin" Cain II `90, a former head yell leader from Conroe. He is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Southern Watch. Flying in the #2 position is Capt. Andrew "Skinsuit" Greer '02, from Plano, and he is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In the #3 slot is Capt. Patrick "Spool" Moran from San Diego, California, and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The #4 position is Capt. Ken "Pikey" O'Leary from Dublin, Ireland and the alternate is Capt. Greg "Gorby" O'Boyle from Kalispell, Montana.
"Throughout history, Aggies have always answered the call and served our great country," Texas A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne said. "As we remember 9/11, it's important to recognize those who serve our nation on a daily basis. Texas A&M has a strong military tradition and we continue to commission officers in all branches of the services and have many current students who have served our country. Members of the HHT 1-112 CAV Texas National Guard, located in Bryan, have returned home from Iraq. Our law enforcement and firefighters protect and serve while EMS and especially members of Texas Task Force One are quick to respond when needed. We appreciate the service of all of these groups."
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Aggie head football coach Mark Dodge. Dodge lettered in 2006 and 2007 but served in the military prior to coming to Aggieland and was in Washington D.C. on 9/11 and was part of the first responders to the Pentagon.