Stryker Brigade News

USA Basketball Team

Aug- 4-2006 » Filed Under: Tributes

We wanted to share the following note from Lisa, one of our regular visitors.

I just wanted to let you know about a connection between the USA Basketball Team and the US Army ...

If you go to www.nba.com/usabasketball you will notice a few articles addressing the US Army's involvement with the USA Basketball team. There are several videos (Military Hero Stops By and US Army Visits Practice) as well as a story (A Meaningful Message) that highlights Col Robert Brown, and several 1/25th soldiers injured in Iraq - Captin Scott Smiley, Captain DJ Skelton and SGT Christain Steele.

Also, I wanted to let you know another connection ... each of the basketball players wears a US Flag on the back of their warmups ... Thru a connection with Col. Brown and the Head Coach Krzyzewski, families of fallen Soldiers with the 1/25 & 1/24th were contacted and asked if they would be willing to allow a team member to wear a flag (the actual flag from a uniform worn by the fallen Soldier) on their uniform ~ as a way to honour their sacrifice and to show pride and respect for all those who serve our country. Each family shared a personal message and photos of their Soldier, which were then handed out to each of the players. The players now carry a personal connection to the Fallen Hero that their flag represents.

I personally know that my nephew, SGT Adam J. Plumondore is represented by one of the players, as well as SGT Benjamin "Rat" Morton and SPC Clinton R. Gertson. I don't know if this information is on the web page, but I would be happy to find out more information about which Hero is connected to which player if that would be helpful.

In light of all the heartbreaking news of late, I just though it might be something "positive" to share the Teams connection with our Soldiers.

Lisa