Saluting Those Who Serve

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Merriam Webster defines service as "a contribution to the welfare of others." Our nation's military embodies that definition by sacrificing every day in defense of our country.

This Saturday against NC State, Syracuse Athletics and the Orange football program will host Military Appreciation Day at the Carrier Dome in recognition of that commitment. Active military members, veterans, and their families who qualify, will receive complimentary tickets to the game through the 'Cuse for the Troops' program as a thank you for their service to our nation.

Head coach Dino Babers knows first-hand just how much those men and women sacrifice. His father, Luther, spent 21 years in the Navy. A chief petty officer, Luther Babers was deployed on the USS Enterprise, a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

"I grew up on military bases," Dino Babers said. "I grew up in classrooms with kids whose dads were MIA or POWs. My father is buried in the national cemetery in Houston next to his brother. If I wasn't standing here as a football coach, I'd be in the military. It's always been a part of our family."

It's always been a part of the Syracuse football family, too. Past and present Orange football coaches and student-athletes have served our country over the years. From current Syracuse tight ends coach Reno Ferri, who is a 2000 West Point graduate, to Hall of Famers Ben Schwartzwalder, Jim Brown and many others.

Schwartzwalder's actions during the D-Day invasion of Normandy in World War II were nothing short of heroic. A paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne, he was dropped far behind enemy lines and miles off target. Schwartwalder organized his command and played key roles in the capture of La Fière Causeway and Sainte-Mère-Église, crucial points of entry into France. He continued his campaign all the way into Germany and acted as military governor of the town of Essen for a period of six months. Schwartzwalder was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, four battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation for his role in the war.

Brown, who starred for Schwartzwalder's legendary Orange teams of the 1950s, was commissioned out of the Syracuse University Army ROTC, the nation's longest continuously operating ROTC program. After being selected in the NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns, Brown continued his military training commitment at Fort Benning, Ga. as an Army Reserve officer. He served for four more years and was honorably discharged from the Army Reserve with the rank of captain. In June, Brown was inducted into the U.S. Army National ROTC Hall of Fame.

Today, the football program enjoys a special bond with the men and women of U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum. The team has spent a portion of preseason training camp at the military post 85 miles north of Syracuse each of the last five years. The Orange's 2016 trip included a day of community engagement. Players conducted a football clinic for the children of the military personnel, ate lunch with members of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and engaged the soldiers in games of paintball.

In addition to the complimentary ticket offer, Syracuse Athletics has several military-themed activities and recognitions planned for Satuday's game. Former Army enlisted soldiers, now ROTC cadets, CDT Nicklaus Brinka and CDT Cameron Hartwill will act as honorary team captains. Approximately 40 young people from Central New York will take the Air Force Oath of Enlistment on the field before kickoff, and military vehicles provided by the 174th Attack Wing from Hancock Field will be on display outside the Carrier Dome between Gates M and N.

At halftime, the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) will be presented with a $5 million check from Walmart for IVMF's AmericaServes program.

Before the game, Syracuse University's Office of Veteran and Military Affairs will host a 'Stars and Stripes Tailgate' at Manley Field House. The invitation-only event begins at 9:30 a.m. and includes free food, entertainment and prizes. The tailgate will include nearly 700 participants from the surrounding veteran and military community, including approximately 300 attendees from Fort Drum.

One of the veterans expected to be in attendance is Don Waful, SU's oldest living veteran alum, and this week's 'Hometown Hero.' Waful is 100 years old and graduated with two degrees from Syracuse before joining the Army. A WWII veteran and POW, Don is a huge Orange football fan and has only missed three games since 1946.

"Any time you can give back to those guys who give so much ... We don't do enough service for those people," Babers said. "I am looking forward to seeing them in the stands in the Carrier Dome on Saturday."

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