thedrifter
09-15-07, 06:31 AM
Marines
Injured Iraq veteran will help with coin flip
By Andrew Jones,
Star-News Correspondent
Marine Corporal Michael Savoie knows the feeling of hearing the crowd roar while standing on a football field.
He frequently experienced that sensation after sacking quarterbacks for his high school team outside of New Orleans. A right defensive tackle for most of his prep career, Cpl. Savoie, 28, never played in college.
Tonight, he will relive that thrill, this time on a major college field before a large crowd.
Cpl. Savoie is one of 30 members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion East at Camp Lejeune who will attend the Wofford-N.C. State game at Carter-Finley Stadium, a trip made possible by the Hope For The Warriors program.
A two-time Purple Heart recipient, Cpl. Savoie will participate in the coin flip before the opening kickoff.
"To me, I think it's an honor to be able to be picked to do the coin toss," he said Thursday. "And it's an honor to be put up in front of everybody like that and commended for hard work."
In 2004, Cpl. Savoie joined Weapons Platoon, A Co., 1st Battalion 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division at Lejeune.
That October in Iskandiray, Iraq, he was shot in the head, breaking his skull. But he continued returning fire while also helping an injured Marine before being evacuated. He later went through 19 hours of surgery.
Thirteen months later, Cpl. Savoie returned with the same unit in Hit, Iraq (Anbar Province), but their patrol was hit with an IED and he sustained second and third degree burns to his face. Yet, Cpl. Savoie again continued the mission before being treated for his wounds.
The Marine Corps wanted to award Cpl. Savoie five Purple Hearts for five different occasions, but he denied three
because he didn't feel like he rated them.
N.C. State football coach Tom O'Brien says Cpl. Savoie and the other Marines deserve the recognition they'll receive tonight.
"I think it's something special," said O'Brien, a former Marine and a Naval Academy graduate. "They are the true heroes, and I think we need to give them a good Wolfpack welcome … they are true champions."
Hope For The Warriors is a nonprofit designed to enhance the quality of life for U.S. service members who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty.
"My anticipation is that through our programs we allow those we are able to touch to have a hope that reaches beyond their injuries, whether they are physical or emotional," said marketing director Amy Koury, who helped coordinate tonight's event.
"There is no greater reward than to be able to see one life changed in the face of adversity."
A donated chartered bus will take the Marines to Carter-Finley Stadium, where the N.C. State marching band and cheerleaders will greet them. An honor guard will escort them to their seats, which have been designed for their comfort.
Hats and shirts were also donated, and N.C. State will pick up the tab on all concessions.
Hope For The Warriors and NCSU have coordinated with the Air Force and Pentagon for a flyover before the game.
A New Orleans Saints and LSU fan who was thrilled with the Tigers' rout of Virginia Tech last week, Cpl. Savoie is looking forward to getting back on a football field.
"I imagine being out there on the field will bring back old memories, even for that split second," said Cpl. Savoie, who plans to return to college soon. Eventually, he wants to open a Cajun restaurant.
"I never played in college, but being on the field will be a good experience."
For him, his fellow Marines and everyone in attendance.
Andrew Jones:
andrew.jones@starnewsonline.com
Ellie
Injured Iraq veteran will help with coin flip
By Andrew Jones,
Star-News Correspondent
Marine Corporal Michael Savoie knows the feeling of hearing the crowd roar while standing on a football field.
He frequently experienced that sensation after sacking quarterbacks for his high school team outside of New Orleans. A right defensive tackle for most of his prep career, Cpl. Savoie, 28, never played in college.
Tonight, he will relive that thrill, this time on a major college field before a large crowd.
Cpl. Savoie is one of 30 members of the Wounded Warrior Battalion East at Camp Lejeune who will attend the Wofford-N.C. State game at Carter-Finley Stadium, a trip made possible by the Hope For The Warriors program.
A two-time Purple Heart recipient, Cpl. Savoie will participate in the coin flip before the opening kickoff.
"To me, I think it's an honor to be able to be picked to do the coin toss," he said Thursday. "And it's an honor to be put up in front of everybody like that and commended for hard work."
In 2004, Cpl. Savoie joined Weapons Platoon, A Co., 1st Battalion 2nd Marines, 2nd Marine Division at Lejeune.
That October in Iskandiray, Iraq, he was shot in the head, breaking his skull. But he continued returning fire while also helping an injured Marine before being evacuated. He later went through 19 hours of surgery.
Thirteen months later, Cpl. Savoie returned with the same unit in Hit, Iraq (Anbar Province), but their patrol was hit with an IED and he sustained second and third degree burns to his face. Yet, Cpl. Savoie again continued the mission before being treated for his wounds.
The Marine Corps wanted to award Cpl. Savoie five Purple Hearts for five different occasions, but he denied three
because he didn't feel like he rated them.
N.C. State football coach Tom O'Brien says Cpl. Savoie and the other Marines deserve the recognition they'll receive tonight.
"I think it's something special," said O'Brien, a former Marine and a Naval Academy graduate. "They are the true heroes, and I think we need to give them a good Wolfpack welcome … they are true champions."
Hope For The Warriors is a nonprofit designed to enhance the quality of life for U.S. service members who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty.
"My anticipation is that through our programs we allow those we are able to touch to have a hope that reaches beyond their injuries, whether they are physical or emotional," said marketing director Amy Koury, who helped coordinate tonight's event.
"There is no greater reward than to be able to see one life changed in the face of adversity."
A donated chartered bus will take the Marines to Carter-Finley Stadium, where the N.C. State marching band and cheerleaders will greet them. An honor guard will escort them to their seats, which have been designed for their comfort.
Hats and shirts were also donated, and N.C. State will pick up the tab on all concessions.
Hope For The Warriors and NCSU have coordinated with the Air Force and Pentagon for a flyover before the game.
A New Orleans Saints and LSU fan who was thrilled with the Tigers' rout of Virginia Tech last week, Cpl. Savoie is looking forward to getting back on a football field.
"I imagine being out there on the field will bring back old memories, even for that split second," said Cpl. Savoie, who plans to return to college soon. Eventually, he wants to open a Cajun restaurant.
"I never played in college, but being on the field will be a good experience."
For him, his fellow Marines and everyone in attendance.
Andrew Jones:
andrew.jones@starnewsonline.com
Ellie