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Scout News In San Diego California |
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Monday Sep 06th |
| West Coast Marines, sailors wow Holiday Bowl crowd |
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| Friday, 09 January 2009 | ||
HOLIDAY BOWL COLLEGE FOOTBALL The roar and applause of the crowd greeted West Coast Marines and sailors as they stepped on the field prior to the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium, Dec. 30.  Lance Cpl. Andrew Humildad, personnel clerk, Installation Personnel Administration Center, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, was one of 250 West Coast Marines and sailors to hold a giant American flag during the national anthem at the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl, Dec. 30. Approximately 250 Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton spread an enormous American flag over the field during the national anthem before the Oklahoma State “Cowboys” and the Oregon “Ducks” took to the gridiron. “The crowd went crazy,” explained Master Sgt. Robert Harden, operations chief, Combat Logistics Regiment 15. “They went crazy like they always do every time you pull out ‘Old Glory’. It does something to everybody. I’m sure every Marine and sailor felt that roar of the crowd.” Before the game, the Marines and sailors marched in formation with the flag around the outside of the stadium to the cheers and applause of the fans waiting to get in. Halfway around the stadium, the formation was joined by a police escort to help them get through the enthralled crowd. “It was awesome,” said Lance Cpl. Andrew Powell, flight line mechanic, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, and a Hermiston, Ore., native. “Everyone was really supportive of us here. While we were marching around the stadium everyone was all ‘Oorah Marine Corps.’ They were all about it. I had a blast.” As the Marines unfurled the flag, AV-8B “Harriers” from Marine Attack Squadron 214 and a fireworks display added their own “Sound of Freedom” to the mix, drawing even more applause from the crowd.
“Everything went outstanding,” said Harden, a Cypress native. “This had to be probably one of the best ones we’ve had in the last eight years that I’ve worked with the flag.” Even service members who have participated in the flag ceremonies at previous Holiday Bowl games agreed the Marines and sailors took it up a notch, according to Sgt. Jonathan Dickerson, section leader, Company E, 3rd Assault Amphibious Battalion. “It was definitely a lot better than last year,” said Dickerson, a Jacksonville, Fla., native. After unfurling the flag on the field, the Marines and sailors were treated to free seats to watch the game and cheer for their favorite team. |
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