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Last additions - Salute to our Military |
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November 11, 2020 - Ben's Veterans Day Salute553 viewsMy name is Stefon Stile and I live in Beaver County. We just wanted to say that we looked forward to the season so much and to see you back in action.
My girlfriend Natalie Karpinsky is a Senior Airman in Security Forces for the U.S. Air Force. She has been serving for 3 years and is currently active duty. She was deployed in the Middle East for 7.5 months this year. When she’s not deployed she serves full time at the 171 Refueling Base in Pittsburgh.
Natalie is extremely passionate about her job and family. She knows the seriousness of what it takes to do her job and do it well. Her father served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force as well and her toughness, her love for this country, and her willingness to be unselfish shows very much in her upbringing.
Besides her family, Natalie keeps love for her Country first and love for her City second. She is a Black & Gold girl through thick and thin. We even have a ‘Ben wall’ in our game room, lol. Needless to say, she is proud to be an American and proud to be a Yinzer.Nov 11, 2020
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November 11, 2020 - Ben's Veteran's Day Salute366 viewsAnd Logan Clarke:
“Long Time #7 Fanâ€
I’m finally writing to this website after many years of watching the Steelers and my childhood hero, Ben Roethlisberger. I graduated from Mercer High School in 2015, which is about an hour north of the city. At Gannon University in Erie, I played QB/WR for four years (barely got on the field, but I love the game) and commissioned as an Engineer Officer in 2019 through the Army ROTC program. After getting stationed at Fort Bliss, TX in El Paso, I’m currently a Platoon Leader in the Middle East leading 62 of the best Americans I’ll ever know.
The most enjoyment I get out here is watching the team win on Sundays. Because of the circumstances with this week’s bye, I am using part of my day off to finally listen to Mr. Roethlisberger’s Man Up testimony and Bigger Than Ben series. Both were amazing.
I was in 2nd Grade when Ben was a rookie, and this was basically the first full Steelers season I recall from my childhood. I remember being in my grandma’s living room praying that the Jets kicker would miss the field goal in the Divisional, and he did. The following year, I remember praying even harder that Mike Vanderjagt would miss the kick after Ben made the shoe-string tackle.
The Super Bowl XL Season was the first year my mom allowed me to play football. Throughout my years, my goal was to mimic Big Ben on the field. In high school, I wore #7 proudly. I was never as big and talented as him, but I tried to play as strong and creative as he always has. Similar to him, my passion and family was always about basketball from a young age. But I found leading an offense to be the most satisfying athletic achievement, so I pursued that dream. Watching a Quarterback do that for my favorite team for so many years drove me to do the same.
Nov 11, 2020
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November 11, 2020 - Ben's Veteran's Day Salute313 viewsI am so blessed to have had an amazing role model throughout my upbringing. As a kid, I saw him as just an amazing athlete and winner, which is what I needed at the time. As I’ve matured into a young adult, I now understand how great a Christian, husband, father, and leader he is. And as a 23 year old, that is the type of role model I need in my life.
I want to thank Mr. Roethlisberger, and his beautiful family, for the work (on and off the field) they’ve done for the city, and the standard they’ve set for all families across the country.
As for me, I’m sure you’ve heard it a million times but I truly don’t think of my duty as anything heroic. I just enjoy what I do for a country that I love.
I would like to add a BIG THANK YOU to my dad, LTC (Ret.) Tom Clarke, for his many years of service in the U.S. Army.â€
God Bless and Go Steelers,
Logan ClarkeNov 11, 2020
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Ben's 2018 Veterans Day Salute 417 views...….is to Marine Corps veteran and Steelers fan Greg Yakubik (afterall, it IS the same weekend as the Marine Corps Birthday!):
“I joined the United States Marine Corps on November 7th, 1999 and was sent to Parris Island, South Carolina for basic training. After graduating from basic, I did infantry training in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After my training, I was sent to Camp Pendleton, California for my permanent duty station where I spent 4 years. My unit was sent to Australia to do training with Australian forces, then on to Etajima Island Sasebo, Japan; Nagasaki and Okinawa, Japan. In 2003, my unit was sent into Iraq. We were the first unit to cross the border into Baghdad, which was on St Patrick’s Day. My unit took down Baghdad on April 11th.†-- Greg Yakubik.Nov 11, 2018
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Ben's 2018 Veterans Day Salute 454 viewscontinued...
"I loved being a Marine & fighting for my country! When I left the Corps, I started working in the Emergency Room at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. I guess protecting others is just a part of who I am, which is why I went on to college for Criminal Justice. I am now a Senior Safety Officer for UPMC’s Western Psychiatric Institute." -- Greg Yakubik.
Nov 11, 2018
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Ben's 2018 Veterans Day Salute 532 viewscontinued...
"I grew up in the Pittsburgh area (and will always live here) and have been a Steelers fan all my life! I was lucky to marry a girl that loves Steelers football just as much as I do, and we never miss a game. We are huge Ben fans in this house since he came into the league. I really enjoy watching him play every game day. I also love the work his foundation does for the police around the country. I have a lot of friends that are cops in the Pittsburgh area, so this really means a great deal to me. My wife and I have tried to do our part for Ben and his foundation over the years – we’ve volunteered at the kids’ camps he holds every summer, and also at his charity golf tournaments. We have even attended his charity events as guests. I’m proud to be a Marine, a Pittsburgh native, and a life-long Steelers fan!†— Greg Yakubik.
*Greg, we are honored to tell your story! Thank you for your service not only in the Corps & around the world, but at home in Pittsburgh as well!
Thank you to ALL of our veterans!! We are truly a blessed Nation to have you keeping us safe! God Bless America!Nov 11, 2018
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May 17, 2017 - Warrior Wednesday - Eric Ochoa973 viewsI served 8 years in the Marine Corps, and I’ve been a Steelers fan all my life. Born and raised in California, never been to Pittsburgh, but still a fan.
During my time in the Marines, I did two combat tours in Iraq and one to Afghanistan. I remember in 2009 waking up at 2 in the morning in Iraq to watch the Steelers beat the Cardinals in the Super Bowl.
In late 2013, I had the privilege to deploy to Jordan to train the Jordanian Army before they went to Afghanistan. During one of our driving courses, I pulled out my black terrible towel, I always kept with me, and asked some of the soldiers to take a picture with me holding the terrible towel.
I told them it represents the best football team in America. Hopefully one day my wife, kids and I can make it to Pittsburgh to witness the best players at home. #HereWeGo — Eric Ochoa. May 17, 2017
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#WarriorWednesday - Toy Soldier Edition798 viewsWe received an email from Senior Airman Casey Hulllette, USAF (one of the “toy soldier†recreators below) that he wanted us to share with you!
“First off, I want to thank you Ben for your support of the troops and all military veterans. Second, I want to introduce myself. I’m Casey Hullette, a Senior Airman in the United States Air Force.
I’m originally from the small town of Lincolnton, NC, and my beautiful wife, Caroline, and I have been blessed with 2 amazing little boys, Tripp 4 and Finnley 2. We are currently stationed at Dover AFB in Delaware.
Now just wanted to give you a little run-down of the other 3 guys, some of the best friends I’ve ever had, and together we made it through our deployment to Bagram AFB in Afghanistan, where this picture was taken. We are all Air Transportation Specialists (we do all of the cargo and passenger movements).
The toy soldiers from left to right: SSGT Alex Franklin (currently serving in Korea); Senior Airman Kyle Bowman (currently stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state); Me – with both weapons in the air; and Technical Sgt Russell Meredith (who just returned from another tour in Iraq).
From all four of us we thank you for sharing our picture with Steeler Nation.
And Ben, again, we want to make sure you understand the appreciation we have for your support of the troops. Congratulations on your success in the NFL.†— Casey.
Casey, Alex, Kyle & Russell: thank you so much for the email, and especially for your service. God bless all of you and keep you safe!Sep 28, 2016
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December 14, 2013 - Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery963 viewsA little snowman gives a proper salute at the grave of an unknown soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.
"There were 23 trucks that were in the WAA convoy. One special trailer had a 6-foot wreath going to the Statue of Liberty. All volunteers. Wonderful people here in Maine." -- Janice Albright
This is all part of the wonderful organization, "Wreaths Across America"!
You can follow them on Twitter here:
@WreathsAcross
You can "like" their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/WAAHQ
You can check also check out their website here:
http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Photo credit: Arlington National Cemetery
Dec 14, 2013
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December 14, 2013 - Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery1024 viewsGod bless all the volunteers who arrived at first light on a frosty December morning at Arlington National Cemetery to lay wreaths on the graves of our fallen heroes and all those who fought for our country before being laid to rest here.
Every Memorial Day & Veterans Day we post about the "Wreaths Across America" organization who make this honor possible!
These wreaths are placed on the graves of our fighting men and women every year in many cities across the Unites States!
You can follow them on Twitter here:
@WreathsAcross
You can "like" their Facebook page here:
https://www.facebook.com/WAAHQ
You can check also check out their website here:
http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/
Photo credit: US Army at the Arlington National CemeteryDec 14, 2013
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November, 2013: A Thanksgiving Welcome Home - Steelers Style1020 viewsWe’ve been keeping up with Steven since he shared his photo and message for Ben in September of 2013, when he was deployed (you can see it here in this album). This past weekend he sent in a new photo – of the Welcome Home he was greeted with upon his return to the U.S. last week:
“I got back from a deployment and surprised my family for Thanksgiving. Not only that, but my brother Mike, his wife Briseida, and their son Maximiliano (who knew I was coming home), welcomed my return with their Steelers jerseys and gear on, ready to support me and our Steelers! They also surprised me with a new Big Ben jersey and a Terrible Towel! GO BIG BEN! GO STEELERS!†– Steven
Steven only has a few days to enjoy with his family before reporting to his duty station, but said it was “amazing to be backâ€.
Steven, we wish you all the best! Stay safe and God bless!
Dec 04, 2013
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Veterans Day, 20131046 views"This was taken in Kuwait in December 2011. Most of the season I watched the games at 2am (streaming on a computer) waving my towel around a bunch of Kuwaiti air traffic controllers. They just didn't get it! lol. Thanks again Ben for supporting us! Proud to serve my STEELER NATION!" -- SSGT Holly Stene, United States Air Force, hometown: Johnstown, PA.Nov 11, 2013
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