A thank you from a Fort Drum mother to the Syracuse football team

[OrangeXtreme]

http://www.syracuse.com/orangefootb..._from_a_fort_drum_m.html#incart_river_default

 

[Rocco]

We received the below message from a mom named Kara Smith this morning via Facebook. With her permission, we wanted to share it.

***​

I wanted to send a thank you to the Syracuse University football team for allowing the kids in attendance at the "open practice" at Fort Drum (on Wednesday) to practice alongside some of the players.
The picture (above) is my son, Gavin. His dad has been deployed to Afghanistan since January. It's been over seven months since Gavin has been able to throw around a football with dad, and we still have another couple months before we're able to welcome him home from this deployment. "Guy time" doesn't happen often around Fort Drum this year, as we have two brigades deployed and many of us don't have any family in the area to fill in the male roles when dads are gone.
Tonight I saw a smile on my son's face that I haven't seen in a while. He was among "men" catching up on so much that he has missed out on since January.
Tonight's practice was something he won't soon forget.
Thank you to the players and coaches that were so welcoming.
I overheard another child telling his friend that after playing ball with Syracuse University, he now knows where he wants to go to college when he grows up. He repeated so many times how "awesome" the experience was and how nice the players were to him.
We look forward to the additional practices this week. Thank you and best of luck this season.
Kara Smith

 

[sherrillcuse]

That is Fantastic!

 

[SUfaninAZ]

That is what makes it all worth it going up there.

 

[JJReddawg]

Excellent!

 

[Moontan]

Nice offer TexanMark!

 

[DPCuse]

That brings a tear to my eye. I spent some time playing some golf with my 8 year old son last night and it was so enjoyable. He said to me, I love father/son time. And after reading this letter from Kara, it brings even more meaning to my son's comment. May our troops all come home safe and sound.

 

[rocfan44]

This is why I love this University so much!! Bringing joy to little kids who are paying the ultimate sacrifice of not having one of their loved ones around!! And Texanmark, your awesome jesture is why I think we have some of the most AMAZING fans!! Hats off to you sir!!

 

[Doc5120]

Reading articles such as this one makes me root even harder for our team. It's just awesome!

 

[TexanMark]

It was the least I could do...Just Paying it Forward. OrangeBuddha gave me free tickets a few times while I was still in the service.

 

[Yegorange]

It was the least I could do...Just Paying it Forward. OrangeBuddha gave me free tickets a few times while I was still in the service.

Mark, you're a class act! And it's a great story - so proud of the coaches and the team!

 

[DoubleDee]

Where's OTL with the special interest story on this??? This country NEEDS to hear stories like this.

Syracuse and US military and families... My two favorite teams.

 

[PeteCalvin]

I'm not afraid to admit I got choked up reading that. I never truly appreciated the empty void that many of these children have in their lives, for months at a time, until I read that. It really hammers home how much people really do sacrifice for the defense of freedom and our great nation. My heart is with all those who serve, have served...and serve silently at home. I am so proud of you and of our program at SU. Just awesome.

 

[Crusty]

Makes you proud to be Orange. Nice going team. Thanks for the post.

 

[rottweiler44]

Great job SU, proud to be Orange. If my boys are any good at football I want them at a program like SU. Hard not to think there are some great things happening on the hill these days.

 

[NineOneSeven]

Okay whose chopping onions?


Absolutely awesome.

 

[CuseTroop]

It was the least I could do...Just Paying it Forward. OrangeBuddha gave me free tickets a few times while I was still in the service.

When I first joined the board, Mark found out that I was in the Army, and stationed at Drum. PMed me and offered me rides to the dome, and a chance to tailgate with you guys. I PCSed before I could take him up on it. I did get to partake in some beers with him before a lax game, and he introduced me to a few board greats. My wife may or may not have drunkenly spilt wine at jeremycuse's house lol


You're the man, Mark. This kid and his dad are going to have a blast!

 

[gocraz4dasu]

A great idea going to Fort Drum every year, and an even better idea letting those kids in on the practice. Those are future fans, students, recruits, and leaders and creating that special interest in the Syracuse program is beneficial for both sides. I loved reading this and the picture topped off the perfection that was that letter. I was elated to hear SU would return this year and I hope this will remain a team tradition. Thank you Doug Marrone for initially starting this, thank you Scott Shafer for continuing this great experience, and thank you players for making this a special day for the kids in need of one.. it's priceless.

 

[jekelish]

It was the least I could do...Just Paying it Forward. OrangeBuddha gave me free tickets a few times while I was still in the service.

What makes you a great person is that you believe it's the least you can do. So many people would go with what the ACTUAL least is and do nothing.

You're the man, Mark.

 

[brandokc]

Great job Mark!

Like a dumbass I forgot my tickets to last year's Arkansas hoops game and Mark attempted to locate tix for me.
Then in February I was in San Antonio and he was kind enough to take me to a great restaurant with outstanding fajitas.

Mark, you might not realize it but these trivial acts of kindness mean a lot.

Sent from my SPH-L720 using Tapatalk 4

 

[syr02esq]

Great job team!

 

[Rocco]

A few more great pics from today. What an experience that these Ft Drum kids will never forget, and our own SU players will likely never forget either.

SU players and coaches cheer for a Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player during a tackling drill during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum in Fort Drum:

Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football players watch as the SU football team scrimmages at Fort Drum:

Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player Isaiah Rodriguez gets a lift from SU players during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum in Fort Drum:

Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player Nathaniel Gonzales throws to SU's Drew Allen during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum in Fort Drum:

SU's Dyshawn Davis, left, and Luke Arciniega praise a Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum:

I love this football program more and more every day. SYRACUSE FOOTBALL is doing some great things. They might not even realize the good they are doing just yet, but it is way bigger than football. Go Cuse.

 

[TexanMark]

A few more great pics from today. What an experience that these Ft Drum kids will never forget, and our own SU players will likely never forget either.

SU players and coaches cheer for a Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player during a tackling drill during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum in Fort Drum:

Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football players watch as the SU football team scrimmages at Fort Drum:

Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player Isaiah Rodriguez gets a lift from SU players during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum in Fort Drum:

Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player Nathaniel Gonzales throws to SU's Drew Allen during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum in Fort Drum:

SU's Dyshawn Davis, left, and Luke Arciniega praise a Fort Drum Mountaineer pee wee football player during an instructional clinic for kids before the start of the SU team scrimmage at Fort Drum:

I love this football program more and more every day. SYRACUSE FOOTBALL is doing some great things. They might not even realize the good they are doing just yet, but it is way bigger than football. Go Cuse.

Wagner Game is at 4pm. Tell Ft Drum Pop Warner to please get your games over by Noon and get your kids on down to the Dome. Give them and parent escorts free tickets, put them in the end zone down low and bring them out to the field at halftime.

 

[JeremyCuse]

When I first joined the board, Mark found out that I was in the Army, and stationed at Drum. PMed me and offered me rides to the dome, and a chance to tailgate with you guys. I PCSed before I could take him up on it. I did get to partake in some beers with him before a lax game, and he introduced me to a few board greats. My wife may or may not have drunkenly spilt wine at jeremycuse's house lol


You're the man, Mark. This kid and his dad are going to have a blast!

That was a great night and to be fair I think one of the dogs in there exuberance may have knocked it out of her hand.

 

[All4SU]

A great idea going to Fort Drum every year, and an even better idea letting those kids in on the practice. Those are future fans, students, recruits, and leaders and creating that special interest in the Syracuse program is beneficial for both sides. I loved reading this and the picture topped off the perfection that was that letter. I was elated to hear SU would return this year and I hope this will remain a team tradition. Thank you Doug Marrone for initially starting this, thank you Scott Shafer for continuing this great experience, and thank you players for making this a special day for the kids in need of one.. it's priceless.

Those kids will be dispersed to the wind when their parents are moved off of Ft. Drum. Hopefully, they will always take a little bit of Orange Fever with them.