As we count down to the Fourth of July celebration and the fireworks and the barbecues, it's worth taking a moment or two to think about the soldiers who are bravely defending our country.
Five accomplished NFL coaches are taking more than a few moments. They're devoting a span of several days.
Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden, New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin, Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh, Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, and former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Bill Cowher are visiting U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf this week as part of the first NFL-USO Coaches Tour.
Writing a column from Baghdad for ESPN.com, Gruden related the coaches' shared experiences as they met soldiers, toured military bases, and were briefed by distinguished military officers like Gen. Ray Odierno.
"You can read about what our troops are doing over here or you can watch reports on television, but none of that can compare to being here with them," Gruden writes. "It's inspiring.
"I think sometimes people forget the role our military plays in keeping our country safe. I'll never think about military service the same way after seeing it up close this week. It's been a life-changing experience for all of us."
Per Gruden, the NFL coaches flew in Black Hawk helicopters to Mosul to meet with the troops before traveling to Kirkuk.
In Kirkuk, Gruden and Company met the base football team and had lunch with soldiers.
In Baghdad, they went to a reception at Saddam Hussein's posh former palace.
Gruden concluded his first-person account by writing: "After seeing how hard our troops work over here, I can't imagine a better place to be on the Fourth of July."
It's a sentiment worth thinking about as we get ready to celebrate this weekend.
[Editor's note: And after Gruden leaves, the soldiers will likely say to each other, "Man, that dude has a foul mouth."]
I knew Gruden was a Red Stater, and a patriot. Much better than some Hollywood worm going over there to bascially interfere.
And you know I like Sean Penn's movie roles, but the rest of him can get bent.
It's nice to hear some folks getting some perspective. Thanks to our men and women in uniform for all they have endured so we can enjoy the freedoms we have today.
yes i am sure they said he curses like a sailor.
currently osamabama is trying to vacuum up all the freedom that is left. domestic enemies should be the ones we are battling today. and also, securing our borders. i dont give a rat's ass about securing some faraway nation's borders.
Regardless of my political leanings, I always will support the troops.
Happy 4th in advance everyone!
Great story. Glad those guys went over.
"After seeing how hard our troops work over here, I can't imagine a better place to be on the Fourth of July."
I hope Gruden coaches again in the NFL, he was fun to watch.
The "Editors Note" was an unnecessary cheap shot at Gruden. He's doing good things....just leave it at that.
@Backinthesaddle . . .
It's wasn't a cheap shot.
It was a f--king cheap shot.
I'm deployed at Kirkuk right now and got a chance to meet all of them. They all seemed to be having a lot of fun, especially Gruden and Cowher. Both of them were more than happy to let us wear their Super Bowl rings, take pictures with them, chit chat for a moment even though they had a tight time schedule. Very enjoyable time.
Gruden is awesome...........
I would love to see Chucky return and coach the Bengals.
JSpicoli + emptyhead13 = 2 votes for Sarah Palin
Saluting all of our troops around the world - today and every day - regardless of who the occupant in the White House happens to be.
I think its funny how people asume you have to be from a "RED" state to be a patriot. That could not be further from the truth.
Was talking to a buddy of mine, who I watch the Raider game with. His son is serving in Iraq with the Army. Told me his son offered to have some guys take out Al for him, (as a joke) Said Gruden started laughing and walked away.
Thank you to all of our men & women in uniform.
JSpicoli says:
July 3, 2009 7:56 PM
I knew Gruden was a Red Stater, and a patriot. Much better than some Hollywood worm going over there to bascially interfere.
And you know I like Sean Penn's movie roles, but the rest of him can get bent.
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You mean like a patriot like Senator Al Franken for the 10 years he's been working with the USO?
Or did you mean a red-stater?