Randy Shannon visited us while deployed

#1
red_air69

red_air69

Rep'n Volnation in AF
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
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#1
In the wake of all the Randy Shannon news i Got a cool story that I thought deserved it's own thread.

I am currently 7 years into my young air force career and have had some real neat experiences but one in particular has stayed at the top of my list.

While deployed to southwest Asia, espn and the USO put together a tour for the troops. A group of NCAA coaches traveled around the world visiting troops deployed for the war on terror. Their first stop was my a disclosed location near Iraq and afghanistan. The list compiled of Randy Shannon, Mark Richt, Charlie Weis, Tommy Tubervile, and the Yale coach at the time Jack S.

This was in 2008. We had a brief question and answer forumn before we got to play flag football with mark Richt/Randy Shannon on one side and Charlie Weis/Tommy tuberville on the other.

During this Q and A session a guy in the crowed stood up and asked Randy Shannon why the names were taken off the back of the jersey and if they would ever be put back on. Randy Shannon replied with "when do you want them back on?" and the deployed member said "This upcoming year". Randy Shannon then said "you got it". Plain and simple without hesitation. I though this was freaking awesome. What happened the following year, yep they were on there. It just amazes me the small things that someone appreciates and for him to follow through, wow! I don't know if they are still on the back of the jersey but I remember seeing them right after that cause I looked for it specifically.

We also got to meet/greet them one on one before the game and all coaches brought something, coins etc. Randy brought the house, from coins to stickers, key chains, shirts etc. He seemed real genuine and there were so many people there to meet them all. Randy Shannon was the only coach to talk specifically to you about anything you wanted to know. All the other coaches besides Richt and Shannon, shook hands and sent you on your way like herding cattle. Now I'm not bashing the other coaches by no means regardless of wether they took time to speak to me or not, for goodness sake all of them got on a plane and flew all around the world just to say they supported us and def put their lives on the line cause believe me, you just didnt fly in and out of those landing fields without some terriost putting a red dot on your airplane.

After that we played the flag football game in which I was on Shannon/Richt team and we smashed Weis/tuberville. Following that we lifted Shannon/Richt up on our shoulders and carried them off of our dessert sand football field. Was freaking amazing!

Just thought everyone should know, if we do hire Shannon the guy is an all around class act from my experiences and this says a lot about his values flying around the world like that supporting the war on terror. Morale was def lifted and people are going to have stories to tell their children for a long time. I know I will.

God bless and go VOLS! Hire Shannon!
 
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#2
#2
I want to be the first to thank you for your service to the country and reminding us there are much more serious things we need to worry about then who the next coach at our favorite program might be.

All gave some........some gave all.
 
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#3
#3
The Waco Kid said:
I want to be the first to thank you for your service to the country and reminding us there are much more serious things we need to worry about then who the next coach at our favorite program might be.

All gave some........some gave all.
Click to expand...

Thanks man! It's great serving the greatest country and people in the world. No matter my stories as soon as someone finds out I serve or any of us do, the first and foremost people do is extend a hand. I really appreciate it!
 
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#11
#11
red_air69 said:
Thanks man! It's great serving the greatest country and people in the world. No matter my stories as soon as someone finds out I serve or any of us do, the first and foremost people do is extend a hand. I really appreciate it!
Click to expand...

I know you arent out searching for it, but you are getting another "thank you" from me also.

Thanks for everything you do and all that you sacrifice for your country.

I worked very hard with my foster daughter (no pics) to get her into the National Guard. She was in trouble for most of her teen years, until the day she came to our house. And then she was perfect. Great kid, wanted to work to be somebody and make a difference. She had to go NG because regular Army/Navy/AF wouldnt take her with her past issues. I was very proud to attend her Boot Camp graduation a year ago, and still very proud of her today.

My dad was AF, stationed in Okinawa during the Korean war. My cousin was AF (same MOS as my dad) also in Okinawa during Vietnam war.

I have a TON of appreciation for what you folks do. You make a difference in many peoples lives, and most of us will never know how much you go through to do it. Thanks again.

I also have a ton of appreciation for coaches like rShannon and tIzzo that put themselves out there for the Military, to show appreciation and give them even the slightest boost in morale. There are a bunch of good dudes in the coaching ranks, I wish we heard more good stories such as yours. Thanks for sharing.
 
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#12
#12
Great... now I'm really gonna be disappointed if we don't get Shannon... Thank you for all of your service
 
#14
#14
GatorBill said:
I know you arent out searching for it, but you are getting another "thank you" from me also.

Thanks for everything you do and all that you sacrifice for your country.

I worked very hard with my foster daughter (no pics) to get her into the National Guard. She was in trouble for most of her teen years, until the day she came to our house. And then she was perfect. Great kid, wanted to work to be somebody and make a difference. She had to go NG because regular Army/Navy/AF wouldnt take her with her past issues. I was very proud to attend her Boot Camp graduation a year ago, and still very proud of her today.

My dad was AF, stationed in Okinawa during the Korean war. My cousin was AF (same MOS as my dad) also in Okinawa during Vietnam war.

I have a TON of appreciation for what you folks do. You make a difference in many peoples lives, and most of us will never know how much you go through to do it. Thanks again.

I also have a ton of appreciation for coaches like rShannon and tIzzo that put themselves out there for the Military, to show appreciation and give them even the slightest boost in morale. There are a bunch of good dudes in the coaching ranks, I wish we heard more good stories such as yours. Thanks for sharing.
Click to expand...

Thank you for sharing also. I truly love what I do and a big reason is the people
 
#17
#17
red_air69 said:
In the wake of all the Randy Shannon news i Got a cool story that I thought deserved it's own thread.

I am currently 7 years into my young air force career and have had some real neat experiences but one in particular has stayed at the top of my list.

While deployed to southwest Asia, espn and the USO put together a tour for the troops. A group of NCAA coaches traveled around the world visiting troops deployed for the war on terror. Their first stop was my a disclosed location near Iraq and afghanistan. The list compiled of Randy Shannon, Mark Richt, Charlie Weis, Tommy Tubervile, and the Yale coach at the time Jack S.

This was in 2008. We had a brief question and answer forumn before we got to play flag football with mark Richt/Randy Shannon on one side and Charlie Weis/Tommy tuberville on the other.

During this Q and A session a guy in the crowed stood up and asked Randy Shannon why the names were taken off the back of the jersey and if they would ever be put back on. Randy Shannon replied with "when do you want them back on?" and the deployed member said "This upcoming year". Randy Shannon then said "you got it". Plain and simple without hesitation. I though this was freaking awesome. What happened the following year, yep they were on there. It just amazes me the small things that someone appreciates and for him to follow through, wow! I don't know if they are still on the back of the jersey but I remember seeing them right after that cause I looked for it specifically.

We also got to meet/greet them one on one before the game and all coaches brought something, coins etc. Randy brought the house, from coins to stickers, key chains, shirts etc. He seemed real genuine and there were so many people there to meet them all. Randy Shannon was the only coach to talk specifically to you about anything you wanted to know. All the other coaches besides Richt and Shannon, shook hands and sent you on your way like herding cattle. Now I'm not bashing the other coaches by no means regardless of wether they took time to speak to me or not, for goodness sake all of them got on a plane and flew all around the world just to say they supported us and def put their lives on the line cause believe me, you just didnt fly in and out of those landing fields without some terriost putting a red dot on your airplane.

After that we played the flag football game in which I was on Shannon/Richt team and we smashed Weis/tuberville. Following that we lifted Shannon/Richt up on our shoulders and carried them off of our dessert sand football field. Was freaking amazing!

Just thought everyone should know, if we do hire Shannon the guy is an all around class act from my experiences and this says a lot about his values flying around the world like that supporting the war on terror. Morale was def lifted and people are going to have stories to tell their children for a long time. I know I will.

God bless and go VOLS! Hire Shannon!
Click to expand...

Thank you for your service! Awesome story.

Good thing you didnt win on Weis' team. Yall would have been crushed trying to carry that big bastage.
 
#25
#25
as an old 82nd trooper I have a special place in my heart for all you Wing-Nuts. Thank you for "Standing the Watch".
due to your story my respect for all those coaches raised a few bars, I like any one who lends a hand to our boys and girls in harms way.

stay safe
 
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