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The Atlanta Auburn Club has embarked on a very special mission to send messages and care packages to Tiger Troops currently engaged in the U.S. military campaign in Iraq, as well as military operations around the world to support the War Against Terror.
We have dubbed this mission ‘Operation War Eagle.’
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While most Auburn Tigers were making their way to The Plains on the morning of Saturday, November 22, 2003, to watch the annual Iron Bowl, the Atlanta Auburn Club mailed out more than 40 care packages to the troops. The AAC wants to thank the Auburn Alumni Association, J&M Bookstore, Anders Bookstore and others for helping to contribute various items for those care packages, which included the special ‘War Eagle’ cards that we have been asking everyone to sign over the past months.
If you know an Auburn Tiger overseas that would like to hear from us, or if you are currently serving overseas and would like to leave the club a message or photo click on the e-mail address operationwareagle@atlantaauburnclub.com.
Another part of our Operation War Eagle effort includes sharing the messages and photos we have received from Tiger Troops overseas. The Atlanta Auburn Club is both proud and honored to share the following items from our mailbag -- we will continue to update this space as we hear from more troops!
From The AAC’s Operation War Eagle Mailbag:
Messages From Tiger Troops Overseas
The AAC got this e-mail update from Capt. Brad Culligan on July 1, 2004:
Well it has been a while since I have sent a message out, I have been busy with my new job as Commander of an Artillery Battery and also a Forward Operating Base that has over 300 soldiers on it.
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These pictures were taken back in May of a trip to the town of Seta, Iraq. I had passed through this village on several occasions but never stopped. I always noticed that the people were relatively negative towards us as we drove trough. Nothing overtly, just not nearly as friendly as some of the other villages and towns we went to. I made it a goal to visit them and find out what was up.
The first time I went in, we were not well received. Our Chaplain, who is Muslim, wanted to pray at the mosque with the Imam. Some of |
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the locals thought we were getting ready to raid the mosque, even though we were not in a raid-like stature. We found the village elder and discussed why we were there and the Chaplain went into the mosque to pray. While we waited outside, I discussed issues with the village elder. He said their only contact with Americans was when they came to his town to arrest people who had "done nothing wrong." (Previous unit not our guys.) We talked about their needs and such. When the chaplain came out he brought the Imam and was sweating pretty good. He told me that the mosque had no air conditioning or fans. I looked at the Imam and asked him (knowing already the approximate price) how much an air conditioner would cost, and he said about $600. I then reached into my pocket, pulled out $800 and told him to buy an air conditioner, some fans and we would be back in a few weeks to ‘check it out’ and pick up a receipt. You can just imagine the shock on their faces, they were both very happy and amazed that we gave them the ability and authority to purchase the a/c on their own, rather than go through the bureaucratic method that takes weeks.
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| These pictures were taken on the return trip. We brought back three boxes of school supplies and toys for kids. I was the one who was amazed this time when I learned that the kids of Seta had never seen colored crayons and markers! |
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The chaplain checked out the new a/c and fans, said some prayers and we got our receipt and were on our way. While my interactions with locals is limited now, I often look back on these days that make it all worth it.
Cheers,
Brad
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The Atlanta Auburn Club is proud to share this e-mail from U.S. Army Lt. Chris Corley, a 1996 Auburn grad. We received it on June 28, 2004:
Atlanta Auburn Club,
My name is LT Chris J Corley a 96 grad of AU. I'm currently serving at Camp War Eagle on the Northeast side of Baghdad. It is kind of ironic because my platoon Sergeant is a huge Bama fan so we have a lot of fun. I hope to hear from you guys soon. I have been up here since around March on the outskirts of Sadar City. I'm looking forward to the transfer of authority this June. I've included some pictures for your site. The attached pictures are of me, my crew, and my platoon.
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We are 1st platoon, Charlie Company, 1-12 CAV, 1st Calvary Division. I hope to get my R and R leave in time to catch a few games this Fall, it should be an AUsome season for us. Thanks for the support and "WAR EAGLE!"
1LT Corley, Chris J.
C, 1-12 CAV, 1BCT, 1CD
90004
APO AE 09373
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The AAC was intrigued by ‘Camp War Eagle’ and asked Chris to tell us the story behind the name. Here is his response to that and other questions. We received this e-mail on June 29, 2004:
To answer a few of your questions the name was given to the camp by the 2nd Armored Calvary Regiment out of Ft Polk, LA. We took over for them in March and that was the name of the their Squadron stationed here (War Eagles). The name stuck and now most people actually refer to it as Camp Eagle. The people of Iraq are excited about the change over and most are still skeptical of us, knowing the situation is still very unstable here. Right now our Company has two districts we are responsible for monitoring the needs of the people. The Northeast side of Baghdad is very impoverished where we are at and was also extremely repressed under Saddam, some areas are still without running water for over 10 years.
I would like a package from you guys and I'm not currently on your email distro list as of now, please add me. As for the soccer balls I would love some to hand out. We passed out a few some weeks ago and the kids love them. I will enclose a couple of pictures.
When you see Tuberville in July ask him to send me something autographed. As many games as I've been to I've never caught up with him. Thanks for the support I hope to talk to you again soon.
War Eagle!
LT Chris J Corley | |
The AAC received this e-mail and photo from Maj. John Brown on February 22, 2004:
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Dear Atlanta Auburn Club,
First, thank you VERY much for the wonderful "Operation War Eagle" care package and letter you sent. It made my week. I enjoyed taking one of the Auburn bumper stickers and sticking it on a military vehicle driven by a big Alabama fan here. It took weeks for him to notice it!
During the Super Bowl (which started at 2:30 AM here), who should show up in our area but Bo Jackson! He was here in a USO tour, but hardly anybody knew he was coming until word spread during halftime.
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Needless to say, I got my picture taken with him and he autographed my Auburn sweatshirt. That was a big treat.... Hopefully my unit will be coming back to the States early in March, after 11 months. It has been a long tour, but it has been made much happier thanks to the support of the folks back home. And for an Atlanta native and Auburn grad like me, your support and well wishes were a huge morale boost. I am eternally grateful.
If I am ever in Atlanta during one of your meetings, I would love to attend and thank you in person.
War Eagle!
John D. Brown '82 | |
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This postcard, mailed January 21, 2004 was sent by Lt. Bryan Cadden:
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Atlanta Auburn Club,
Thank you for the package. I am appreciative of your support for all of us over here. Your letters & packages truly inspire us, knowing that you do support us. We are changing the world over here making it safer for all everyday. We are all proud to be serving over here and thankful for the support of the Atlanta Auburn Club.
Semper Fi & War Eagle
Lt Cadden, Bryan |
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The following letter, dated January 24, 2004, was received from 1992 Auburn grad Sgt. Patrick Arthurs:
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Dear Atlanta Auburn Club,
Thank all of you so much for taking the time to mail me a morale booster package! It was very thoughtful of all of you.
I am with the 781st Transportation Company from Daleville, Georgianna, and Fort Deposit, Alabama. We are a National Guard unit that has 60 freightliner trucks and 120 flat bed trailers made for delivering conex’s, and anything else you can strap onto them. We moved into central Iraq and ran over |
fifty 600 mile round trip missions delivering supplies throughout Iraq. We stayed there for 6 months and God protected us as we had only three personnel wounded by enemy mines. All three will recover fully and that is a blessing. That was a small number for the amount of firing we sustained and the number of our vehicles destroyed damaged by enemy mines, RPG’s and small arms fire. We escaped with our skins and now guard the seaport facility in Kuwait City. This is much safer albeit boring duty and we are serving out our time, hoping to return in April.
There are many, many Auburn alumni here and Auburn flags are seen on tents and vehicles throughout the ‘theater.’ I am a ‘92 graduate of the School of Business having working overseas 5 years and serving in the Army 5 years prior to my attending Auburn University. My Army career beginning in 1983 is a long list of poor decisions that have landed me in the ‘glamour job’ of truck driving in a combat zone as a low ranking sergeant. But alas, that is another long story.
God bless you all
War Eagle!
Patrick Arthurs ‘92’
P.S. - I did not miss the championship season - thank God - this year we will do it!! | |
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This letter, mailed February 17, 2004, was sent to the AAC from 1Lt. Kristen Jeffrey:
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Dear Atlanta Auburn Club -
I apologize for the late reply. Thank you so much for the ‘Operation War Eagle’ package! I was stationed along the DMZ in S. Korea for a year working as the Intelligence officer for 2d Infantry Division’s Engineer Brigade.
The Operation War Eagle package was the topic of the mailroom (because of the decorations) and within my unit when I hung the card above my desk. It was great to get some ‘AU stuff’ - I spread the ‘War Eagle’ spirit around my unit with the |
stickers & pencils.
I arrived home this month and am stationed in Ft. Bragg, NC.
Thanks again for the mail - it means a lot. WAR EAGLE!
1Lt Kristen Jeffrey | |
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The AAC just received this message from Capt. Chris Butler on January 8th:
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Dear Atlanta Auburn Club,
Thank you so much for embarking on this endeavor. It was very exciting to receive a package from you with all of the AU goodies inside. I know that what you are doing has helped soldiers remember that the arms of the AU family are long reaching. You would not believe how many AU fans are here. Not that I'm biased or anything, but I see AU stickers, flags and logos on trucks, barracks, and aircraft all the time. |
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I have seen far more Auburn paraphernalia than any other school. I speak for many fans when I say that we truly missed football season, but got to watch many of the games on the Armed Forces Network and that some of them (TN and AL) were memorable. We'll bring in the Championship next year. Thanks again for all that you have done and continue to do to support our troops. War Damn Eagle and I'll see you on the Plains!
CPT CHRIS BUTLER
1165th MP Company
Camp Falcon (82nd Airborne Div.)
Baghdad, Iraq
Call Sign: EAGLE 6
DSN: 582-1895
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On January 6, 2004, the AAC heard again from 1st Sgt. Lawrence 'Chip' Rinehart (see his earlier notes below). He wanted to share some more photos with us and responded to some questions, as well as the news of who won the Sugar Bowl:
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I enclosed two more photos. One is me in front of my "ride", the other is our field showers and living quarters. You asked what else we miss? I personally miss grass. The things I would to expect I'd miss but, have not yet at this point are resturants, beer, tv, Wal-Mart and driving my own truck. I'm sure soon enough I'll long for those. It's ironic that I am stationed at Ft Riley, only 10 miles from KSU so natuarally I pull for KSU since I am displaced from AU, and my sister in law is from Tulsa so she pulls for OU and KSU stomped OU in the ground. |
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I think the insurgent attacks have decreased throughout Iraq but, in our neck of the sand it's increased. The Sunni Triangle is still very dangerous.
Adios for now
Chip | |
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On Monday, January 5, 2004, the AAC received the following letter from Capt. John Beck. It was mailed from Mosul, in northern Iraq, on December 28:
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Dear Atlanta Auburn Club,
I received your letter and support package last week. Thanks so much for thinking about all of us over here in Iraq. Your gifts and kindness are well appreciated. Please tell everyone thanks and thank you for caring. I have been in Iraq about 10 months and I am ready to come home to Auburn. Thanks again.
CPT JOHN BECK
926 EN GP
101st Airborne Division
Mosul, Iraq | |
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The AAC received this letter, dated December 8, 2003, from 1st Sgt. Jerry Walker shortly before Christmas:
A Big ‘War Eagle’ from Baghdad. Got your package today, thank you very much. I have a lot of Tiger troops in my unit, including me. We have Auburn flags, tags, shirts everywhere in our building. The Tenn. & BAMA games were great. Our headquarters are from Tenn. so we kind of rubbed it in a little. Our mission is very dangerous and watching Auburn on T.V. (when we can get it) is a big lift for us Tiger Troops.
Hope Auburn does well in whatever bowl we go to. Know that the 214th MP¹s will be pulling for a victory. Keep us in your prayers and have a great holiday season.
War Eagle
1SG Jerry Walker
214th MP Co.
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This letter, dated December 12, 2003, was sent by Capt. Douglas Ludwick from LSA Anaconda Iraq. The AAC received it in Atlanta around Christmas:
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Dear Auburn Atlanta Club,
I am writing to thank you for the care package that your club has sent me. It was a very welcome gift as all of the clothing I have is green or tan with a distinct lack of Orange or Blue. It is good to be able to get a piece of home.
While I was raised in Auburn, I rebelled and graduated from Penn State. Upon returning home I quickly realized I needed an Auburn degree and now have one.
In the real world I am a teacher. I have been here in Iraq since May. I am married to another Auburn graduate and we have a 13-month-old son. He has grown quite a bit since I have been gone but my wife has been very careful to ensure that he only hangs around good people (No Bama fans). |
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Currently I am assigned to the 7th Corps Support Group from my parent company. We push all of the supplies in Iraq. My company, the 282nd QM is from Montgomery. We have two current Auburn students in the unit. At least we have Satellites so the Auburn faithful were able to watch the Bama game this year. I guess even Iraq can have good moments.
Thank you again for the care package. WAR EAGLE
CPT Douglas Ludwick | |
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The AAC got a thank you card from SFC Chris Wakefield, dated December 6, 2003, and received in Atlanta on December 19. Here is what Chris said:
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Dear Atlanta Auburn Club,
I received your care package yesterday. I am stationed at Tallil Air Force Base in South Iraq near the town of Nasiriyah. The care package was an awesome surprise! I loved the T-shirt! I was able to watch the Alabama/Auburn ballgame on TV. The game came on at 3:45 am here. After the game we pushed down a fellow soldier’s Alabama flag (we had warned him we would) and rolled it for lack of Toomer’s Corner. My unit supplies the Iraqi people, U.S. troops and coalition forces with water. I have been in Iraq for nine months now. I hope to leave in March/April. Thanks again for your prayers and support. Warrrr Eagle!
SFC Chris Wakefield ‘96 | |
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Here’s an e-mail the AAC received on Friday, December 19, 2003, from Capt. Daniel Lauderdale and Sgt. Michael Richardson:
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Subject: War Eagle from Iraq
Thank you so much for our packages. SGT Michael Richardson and I (CPT Daniel Lauderdale) are both in the same unit (1151 Engineer Team) currently based out of Al Asad, Iraq in the western region of Iraq. We are a construction engineer unit that is working our best to rebuild Iraq from the devastations of war and years of neglect. Every time we get mail from friends like you it raises our spirit and reminds us why we are here. |
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The packages you sent us showing not only your Auburn spirit but your American pride lets us know there are people back home that care about what we are doing. We are looking forward to cheering our Tigers to a victory over Wisconsin and looking forward to being home some time early next year. I have attached a picture of both of us in front of our HMMV that you can feel free to display. Thank you again for your support. War Eagle.
Daniel Lauderdale
"War Eagle 6" CPT, EN
Commanding | |
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The AAC got this e-mail message from Maj. Matt Ferguson on December 18, 2003. Note his message to anyone finding themselves at the Atlanta Airport:
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Dear Auburn friends in Atlanta:
I received your "Auburn care package" today. Thanks so much for the thoughts and Auburn gifts! After being deployed since February 2003, it's nice to hear that America is still behind the Troops.
I currently serve in the 101st Airborne Division, the Screaming Eagles! Our mascot, "Ole Abe" and Spirit (our own War Eagle) could be twins. The Screaming Eagles are now in the planning stages of redeployment with the entire Division (about 20,000 soldiers) expecting to be home to Fort Campbell, Kentucky by March 1st, 2004. |
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My wife Danna ('89) and I are really looking forward to home games in 2004. I've enclosed a photo of me just prior to leaving Iskandaria, Iraq on 21 July for a reconnaisance of Mosul incident to our final move later that month. I'm the one closest to the door. We've been in Mosul ever since and are really looking forward to our 1200 km trek to Kuwait for that ride home.
Thanks again for the support! When you see a soldier in desert cammouflage wandering around Hartsfield Airport, buy him or her a beer! They could sure use it!
AIR ASSAULT!
WAR EAGLE!
Matt
Major Matt Ferguson
Support Operations Officer
801st Main Support Battalion
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
Mosul, IZ DNVT: 581-6111 | |
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This e-mail message, along with two photos, arrived in the AAC mailbag on December 10, 2003, from 1st Sgt. Lawrence 'Chip' Rinehart:
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I received a care package today from "Operation War Eagle" and want to thank you for the goodies. Every-time we receive a package here it's like Christmas. I reckon my dad put my name in for it. He's a huge Auburn football fan. My name is Lawrence "Chip" Rinehart and the unit First Sergeant. I have 202 soldiers who are supporting 82d Airborne Division and 1st Brigade 1st Infantry Division in Ar Ramadi Iraq. Ar Ramadi is about 40 miles West of Baghdad located in the Sunni Triangle. We are from the "Big Red One" located out of Ft Riley KS. Everyday it gets a little more "livable" here. With modern conveniences like showers and portajohns. I'll tell you that the most important thing to any soldier here is MAIL. Keep it coming with "Operation War Eagle" and thank you for all your support. Enclosed is a photo of me with one of my 4 platoons. This one is located in Falluja or FOB St. Mere. I am the guy in the middle, no hat and sunglasses wearing the bunny ears :)
V/r
Lawrence C. Rinehart
1SG, USA
First Sergeant
Ar Ramadi, Iraq |
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On Thursday, December 25, 2003, Chip sent another e-mail message in response to a Christmas greeting we sent to him and his troops. We wanted to let him know that his photos were now on the AAC website:
Thanks so much for the Christmas wishes. I really means a lot to me and my soldiers to be fortunate to have people like you and the Atlanta Auburn Club to support us and wish us well. As a nation we have come a long way from the days of Vietnam.
I'll be sure to check out the website today. I checked it out about two weeks ago when my wife sent me the link. Of course our email access is very limited and controlled so my time on the Internet is short. I try to hit all my email in one shot.
I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas too. As well as the Atlanta Auburn Club.
V/r
Chip Rinehart
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On Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2003, the AAC heard from Maj. Thomas von Eschenbach:
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Please pass the word to all the Auburn Alums that I received the package you sent this week. It was great to see that you guys have thought of me and enclosed some goods. There are a couple of Bama friends in the unit so I will make sure they get a little Christmas present from me. Just to let you know I am about 40 miles west of Baghdad and am in a Army Aviation unit that covers the western sector of Iraq. Enclosed is a picture of the helicopters we fly.
MAJ Thomas von Eschenbach, '91 | |
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The AAC received this e-mail from 1st LT. Erik Waddell on December 1, 2003--just nine days after we sent out our ‘Operation War Eagle’ care packages:
Hello from Iraq.
Today I received the package from your club. I really appreciated the thought. There are at least 3 Auburn grads here that I know of. Of course, there are many here in theater... We have liberated a people here in Iraq. Once the greatest civilization of its time, now a crumbling empire of old buildings and structures begging to be restored. It is hard to believe that Jesus walked this area so many years ago. We here in Umm Qasr have had a pretty good stay and it would be hard to find any one of us that is not ready to come home. Our mission here is nearly complete. I think one of the things we missed the most was Football. Auburn had a tough season but did win some key games. Not bad, hopefully there will be a bowl. Well, the one thing that pulls us through is knowing that we are here so that our children will not have this burden. We really appreciate all the support we have been getting from home. It makes our job easier. I look forward to getting home and who knows, maybe I will see some of y’all at a game next season. I was living in Lithia Springs before I came here to Iraq. Again thanks and God speed.
Erik Waddell
1LT EN USAR
Umm Qasr, Iraq
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A day later, Erik sent a second e-mail, along with this photo. We had asked him if he heard about President Bush's surprise visit to Baghdad on Thanksgiving Day:
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I tried to send this picture last night but the Internet would not cooperate. In the picture I have just returned from the port of Umm Qasr. The hat was sent to me by my brother who is a huge Auburn fan (he thought Roll Tide was a bad word until he turned 10). Anyway, notice we are wearing the new intercepter flack vest. They really do stop bullets. Thanks for the email and yes it was very good to see our president here on Iraqi soil, even if he did not get here to see us.
Erik | |
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Erik also wrote a separate Christmas card to the AAC, dated December 1, 2003, and received in Atlanta on December 19. Erik included 3 of the new 50 Dinar Iraqi banknotes, so we could all see what they look like (without Saddam Hussein!):
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Atlanta Auburn Club,
Well, hello. I really appreciate the package! I gave the T-shirt to my Construction Ops SSG. He is also a huge Auburn fan. We are all fine here. We put up a Christmas tree last week. Strange to see a Christmas tree in the desert. I can’t wait to get home and watch some Auburn football. It will have to wait till next season but I will be there. The power just went out here so I’m writing this by flashlight. Believe it or not it’s raining here in Umm Qasr. The temps here now are about 75 day & 55 night. During the summer it reached 138 on many days. I have a small Engineer Section assigned to an MP unit that operates a prison here in Iraq. |
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Now we manage the Camp Contracts, Dept. of Public Works, Maintenance Operations and just about anything else that sounds like it should be an engineering job! It’s an interesting job though. Who would have thought we would all be in Iraq. Most all of my Auburn ROTC class from 2000 is here now. Well ya’ll take care and we hope to be home soon. It means a lot to us here to know the folks back home support what we are doing here. Again thanks and take care.
1Lt Erik Waddell
Umm Qasr, Iraq
'One Team, One Fight' | |
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On August 30, 2003, we heard by e-mail from Col. Bradley Arnold, in response to an e-mail greeting we had sent him in Djibouti:
Thank you very much for your letter! It is great to hear from folks back ‘home’. I really miss being in the states this time of year as another college football season gets ready to kick off. I checked out your web site and it was great. You all have a great organization and you are rightly proud of it! The Auburn legacy in my family continues on as I have a daughter at Auburn beginning her sophomore year. She will be my rep at the Auburn vs. USC game today as I will not be able to see the game. I am also a big fan of the Braves so I am quite envious of your location with baseball just around the corner and Auburn just a couple hours to the west. I look forward to the Braves winning the world series and Auburn going to the Sugar Bowl on 3 Jan! And finally, my work continues here everyday and we in the military just hope it will lead to a safer world for us all. Best of luck to your association and thanks again for your letter.
very respectfully,
Bradley Arnold
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On August 29, 2003, the eve of the USC game, the AAC got this e-mail from Capt. Maxwell Ward, in response to an e-mail greeting we sent him:
Thanks for the thoughts. I’m in Baghdad at this time trying to determine a way to either see or listen to tomorrow’s game. Unfortunately we do not have the decoders to pick up AFN yet. That’s the relief of the Internet; at least I can get the scores relatively easy. Another unfortunate piece of the puzzle is the time difference, we are 9 hours ahead of the Plains, and so I will be up early on Sunday to get the highlights. What a great season we are in store for, as we say in the services, execution time is now.
As for memories, as any Auburn fan and graduate has, there are many. The loss of Jim Fyffe will be deeply felt as I listen to the coming games. It seems I grew up listening to Jim broadcast each game and in the last few years have had the pleasure of listening to his morning talk show in Montgomery. I really felt as if I had lost a trusted friend when I learned of his passing.
I had my wife send me an Auburn shirt to wear during our free time and have met a great many Auburn and SEC fans. I even have a coworker that visits almost daily to cry Sooey for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Be assured, while we are focused on our mission, Auburn and college football remains a great interest even here in Iraq. Again thanks for the thoughts, enjoy the game this weekend, have a drink or two while tailgating in honor of the troops that can’t and as always…
WAR EAGLE
Maxwell
Maxwell B Ward
CPT, EN, USAR | |
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Our e-mail greeting to 1st Lt Brian Hicks resulted in an e-mail message from him on August 26, 2003:
Life here in Iraq is pretty intense. Really the hardest thing by far to deal with is the extreme heat. I was fortunate though to run into another Auburn alum at Umm Qasr in Southern Iraq. Both of us were stationed there to work the POW situation, and now things are a little quieter although to put it bluntly many of us are looking forward to our replacements getting here. We all here have what some may call a dark sense of humor that comes when people face the intense situations that we have faced. I told one of my friends that the POWs and us are basically the same in that we are both just waiting for Uncle to tell us we can go home. We are working hard here, and with God's help we will all make it home soon.
As for the memories...I played in the Marching Band (trumpet) during the 1989, 1990, and 1991 seasons. The best memory I have is standing on the 50 yard line playing my trumpet before thousands of people the first time Alabama ever came to Jordan-Hare stadium. That was so cool. Something I will truly not forget... mostly because after that day I was no longer a band "rat" (a term used for incoming freshman and those band members who have not experienced an Auburn victory over Alabama).
I look forward to getting home, playing with the kids, and resuming my life again. Until that happens though please keep us in your prayers, and I will do my best to keep my head down. I will send you a message when we are coming home, but if you hear about a National Guard unit, the 161st Area Support Medical Battalion out of Mobile, AL coming home then you'll know that is us. Bye for now and God Bless!
WARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR Eagle!!!
Brian Hicks
1LT, MS, ALARNG
161st ASMB | |
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On August 6, 2003, the AAC got the following e-mail from Army Chaplain Maj. John Brown:
Thank you for the e-mail. It's nice to hear from you and Atlanta Alumni Club, especially since I am forever in love with both Auburn and my hometown of Atlanta. I am not surprised that there are over 17,000 AU alums in Atlanta; all my friends from college moved there after graduation, and still live there 20 years later. By contrast, I grew up there, but have followed the jobs elsewhere. When I'm not in Kuwait, I live in Illinois, although Atlanta will always be my home. I visit my family at least twice per year, and I see AU bumper stickers and flags everywhere. During my senior year we played GA Tech at Grant Field, and we Auburn fans outnumbered the Tech fans in their own stadium at least 3 to 1. It was a blast! We turned downtown Atlanta into a suburb of Auburn before the game, turned Grant Field into Jordan Hare East during the game, and rocked the place chanting "It's great...to be...an Auburn Tiger!" as we left. We even TP'd the Varsity, just like Toomer's corner. I assume it'll be the same when the Wreck Tech series resumes in September. Are they going to resurrect the pajama parade too?
The Auburn spirit lives even here in Kuwait. There is an Alabama national guard unit in my area, and the commander must be a Tiger because they fly a big AU flag over their headquarters tent. One of the problems I usually have living in Illinois is there aren't any Alabama fans to harass when we win the Iron Bowl. (Of course, when we lose the Iron Bowl, at least I don't have to hear about it from Bama fans either.) But there are plenty of Tide fans around here to remind the significance of the numbers "17-7."
My address is:
Chaplain (Major) John D. Brown
143rd Transcom/ 32nd Trans Group
HHD 419th Trans Battalion
APO AE 09366
Again, it was great to hear from you. I hope to be back in the States sometime in the fall, in time to catch at least some the football season. I'm sure I will visit Atlanta, and will make sure to watch one of the games with my fellow AU alumni.
Best wishes and WAR EAGLE!!! | |
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