JB MDL service members visit Super Bowl Blvd

by 2nd Lt. Carrie Volpe
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

2/6/2014 - JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- More than 100 service members and their guests from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., attended the USAA Military VIP experience at the NFL House on Super Bowl Blvd. in Manhattan, N.Y., Feb. 1, 2014.

The attendees were invited to be part of the guest audience during the USAA Salute to Service SITREP, a televised interview with a few NFL celebrities, as part of the Super Bowl XLVIII festivities in New York City.

The service members and their guests of choice were provided with transportation to New York City, a catered lunch, meet-and-greet sessions with NFL celebrities, free tickets to ride the Super Bowl Toboggan and autographed photographs for all attendees.

The host of the show, Trey Wingo, interviewed a few NFL greats in front of an audience packed with personnel from JB MDL, West Point Academy and Gold Star Families. Jerseys from nearly every NFL team were represented in the audience.

Special guests included were hall of fame quarterback Roger Staubach, Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl VI most valuable player for the Dallas Cowboys; Charles Tillman, cornerback for the Chicago Bears and winner of the 2012 NFL Salute to Service award; and Robert Griffin III (RG3), Heisman Trophy winner and quarterback for the Washington Redskins.

In addition to having their NFL careers as common ground, the three featured guests also share a special bond with the military. Staubach graduated from the Naval Academy and served in Vietnam, all prior to him signing with the Dallas Cowboys. As for Griffin, both of his parents were sergeants in the Army and moved several times during his childhood. Tillman was also a 'military brat' and attended numerous high schools; his father, a former sergeant in the Army, retired after 20 years of service.

"My favorite part of the event was meeting the three players. They were all down-to-earth guys and very generous with their time," said Army Sgt. Timothy Walsh, 72nd Field Artillery Brigade supply NCO. "I think it's awesome that Roger Staubach went to the Naval Academy, served in Vietnam and then played in the NFL. The whole thing was quite a spectacle."

All three celebrity guests spoke highly of their military background and said they were honored to give back to the service members and their families. They signed autographs, shook hands and posed for photos for those in attendance.

"I really enjoyed hearing the advice that RG3 and Charles Tillman gave in regard to being a military dependent and how they went about adapting to the constant change," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Carlton Anthony, 87th Air Base Wing ground safety craftsman from Arlington, Va. "It was also really cool that we got to see Cam Newton and Mike Tirico out on Super Bowl Boulevard."