Guard Soldiers Sworn In During Saints Game

August 30, 2010
By SPC Tarell J. Bilbo
New Orleans, LA, United States

New enlistees from the Louisiana National Guard, United States Army and United States Marine Corps were sworn in on the field of the Louisiana Superdome before a National Football League preseason game between the New Orleans Saints and the San Diego Chargers Aug. 27.
 
The ceremony was a part of Saints Military Appreciation Day, where the organization asked ticketholders to donate their unused tickets to service members and their Families. This was another one of the many events that has brought the National Guard and the Saints together.
 
“The Saints are a community organization just like the National Guard,” said Captain Frank Spiess, officer in charge of operations for the Recruiting and Retention Command. “This was a way for them to show their support for the everyday Soldiers and what they do for their community.”
 
After the enlistment ceremony, the recruits got to watch the game while sitting field-side.
 
“It was a great experience,” said New Orleans native Private Timothy R. Holmes. “I really enjoyed the excitement and support we received from the Saints fans.”
 
During the halftime show, the newly enlisted Guard Soldiers were joined by Active Duty Marines and Airmen on the field in a performance that displayed pictures of the Statue of Liberty and a portion of the American Flag.
 
“The response from the crowd was so positive,” Spiess said. “You could see that they respected the enlistees for the commitment they were making.”
 
“We’re really grateful and appreciative of this opportunity that we were given,” said Covington, LA, native Private Katie A. Dugas. “It was such a privilege to be on that field and hear all those people cheer for us.”