thedrifter
02-05-07, 08:06 AM
Hard Corps fans
By REGAN FOSTER - rfoster@nwherald.com
WOODSTOCK – In 1986, Cedric Syrdahl took in Super Bowl XX from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
A newspaper photo shows him proudly sporting sun glasses on which he painted the final score of 47-10. Syrdahl’s beard 21 years ago was coal black and his grin ear-to-ear.
On Sunday, Syrdahl took in Super Bowl XLI from the basement of the Woodstock Veterans of Foreign War post 5040. His beard now is steel gray and his attire was a more subtle Bear’s T-shirt and souvenir baseball cap from the 1986 game.
But Syrdahl, an Algonquin resident and chaplain with the Marines Corps League, still grinned. The veteran was pleased to attend a Super Bowl party and fundraiser to benefit the Marine Corps League.
“This is the kind of thing that all of us can do,” Syrdahl said as he watched about 30 of his friends watch the game. “We help Marines; Marine families that are in distress. We’re Marines for life.”
Ted Biever, commandant of the McHenry County Marine Corps League detachment, said the group threw a party every year when Chicago plays the Green Bay Packers. When the Bears won passage to Miami, Biever expanded the party.
Although the turnout for Sunday’s Super Bowl party was smaller than anticipated, and although the Colts defeated the hometown team, 29-17, the purpose for the fundraiser never wavered. The league offers Marines overseas and at home support, items and assistance, Biever said.
“The Marine Corps is a big brotherhood,” he said.
And you didn’t need to be a Marine or family member of a Marine to enjoy Sunday’s party.
Debbi and John Rothlisberger made the trip from McHenry to Woodstock to support their friends Donna and Scott Ottesen.
Staff Sgt. Scott Ottesen of McHenry completed two tours in Iraq as part of the war on terrorism. The Rothlisbergers started attending league functions with Donna Ottesen while her husband was overseas, and John Rothlisberger sent a DVD of Americans’ messages to troops to the Middle East.
He leant a helping hand Sunday by selling raffle tickets and promoting a silent auction.
“These guys have done so much and I haven’t done [anything],” John Rothlisberger said. “It’s the least I can do.”
While 10-year-old Cody Ottesen was hoping to see his favorite team win the championship, he didn’t leave the party empty handed. Cody, who sported a Bears stocking cap and kid-sized Brian Urlacher jersey, won four framed photos of Bears players in a raffle.
The young football fanatic attended every playoff game that Chicago played with his parents, and Donna Ottesen said there was no question he would be at the Super Bowl party.
“We weren’t coming here without him,” she said.
Ellie
By REGAN FOSTER - rfoster@nwherald.com
WOODSTOCK – In 1986, Cedric Syrdahl took in Super Bowl XX from the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans.
A newspaper photo shows him proudly sporting sun glasses on which he painted the final score of 47-10. Syrdahl’s beard 21 years ago was coal black and his grin ear-to-ear.
On Sunday, Syrdahl took in Super Bowl XLI from the basement of the Woodstock Veterans of Foreign War post 5040. His beard now is steel gray and his attire was a more subtle Bear’s T-shirt and souvenir baseball cap from the 1986 game.
But Syrdahl, an Algonquin resident and chaplain with the Marines Corps League, still grinned. The veteran was pleased to attend a Super Bowl party and fundraiser to benefit the Marine Corps League.
“This is the kind of thing that all of us can do,” Syrdahl said as he watched about 30 of his friends watch the game. “We help Marines; Marine families that are in distress. We’re Marines for life.”
Ted Biever, commandant of the McHenry County Marine Corps League detachment, said the group threw a party every year when Chicago plays the Green Bay Packers. When the Bears won passage to Miami, Biever expanded the party.
Although the turnout for Sunday’s Super Bowl party was smaller than anticipated, and although the Colts defeated the hometown team, 29-17, the purpose for the fundraiser never wavered. The league offers Marines overseas and at home support, items and assistance, Biever said.
“The Marine Corps is a big brotherhood,” he said.
And you didn’t need to be a Marine or family member of a Marine to enjoy Sunday’s party.
Debbi and John Rothlisberger made the trip from McHenry to Woodstock to support their friends Donna and Scott Ottesen.
Staff Sgt. Scott Ottesen of McHenry completed two tours in Iraq as part of the war on terrorism. The Rothlisbergers started attending league functions with Donna Ottesen while her husband was overseas, and John Rothlisberger sent a DVD of Americans’ messages to troops to the Middle East.
He leant a helping hand Sunday by selling raffle tickets and promoting a silent auction.
“These guys have done so much and I haven’t done [anything],” John Rothlisberger said. “It’s the least I can do.”
While 10-year-old Cody Ottesen was hoping to see his favorite team win the championship, he didn’t leave the party empty handed. Cody, who sported a Bears stocking cap and kid-sized Brian Urlacher jersey, won four framed photos of Bears players in a raffle.
The young football fanatic attended every playoff game that Chicago played with his parents, and Donna Ottesen said there was no question he would be at the Super Bowl party.
“We weren’t coming here without him,” she said.
Ellie