Missing games so you don't by General B.B. Bell

By GEN. B.B. BELL - 08/28/05 - For the Journal-Constitution

I am an Army soldier and currently serve our nation in Europe. Each year, I send tens of thousands of soldiers to fight the global war on terrorism in battlefields of Afghanistan and Iraq. These men and women are incredible patriots and faithfully commit their lives to the defense of our constitution. They are willing and often do make the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of our citizens.

As part of my duties, I visit with these selfless warriors as they take the fight to the enemy. Many of them are from the South. So am I. For this group of patriots, fall in their homeland is all about football. They even put NASCAR in their rear-view mirrors when the crisp winds of fall begin to blow. Regardless of the conference — SEC, Southern, ACC — these men and women love their football and love their teams. It gives them roots.

hile visiting with them in combat — even as they move in and out of battle — all I have to do is say something like, "Well, what do you think, will the Vols kick butt this year and take it all?" Immediately, their eyes perk up, their backs straighten, military rank becomes irrelevant, and the pride of Southern football takes over. And for but a moment, all is right with the world.

There is nothing — nothing — more special in my life than to sit with a soldier on the battlefields of Afghanistan or Iraq and take him or her home for just a minute by talking Southern football.

This fall, when the teams across the South take to the field, I'd ask all true Southerners to pause for a moment before kickoff and reflect on your heroes in combat. They want to be with you, but they are willing to miss the season this year — so you don't have to.

God bless our great nation and may God bless all our service members. And while He's at it, I hope God will keep an eye on the Vols this year, too!

— General B. B. Bell is the commanding general of the U.S. Army in Europe. An Oak Ridge, Tenn., native, he was commissioned in the Army through ROTC in 1969 following graduation from the University of Chattanooga. He remains a diehard Tennessee fan and fully expects the Vols to bring the national championship to Rocky Top this year.