FORT STEWART, Ga. - The event was a familiar one seen throughout most of the United States on Super Bowl Sunday - a large gathering of football fans cheering on the final two teams playing for the National Football League's ultimate prize.
Soldiers from the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina National Guard, met at Rocky's Zone to enjoy the grand spectacle of Super Bowl XLIV.
"It's the camaraderie. All the Soldiers being able to relax and just see and watch the football game," said Spc. David Jernigan. Spc. Jernigan is from Hendersonville, N.C., and a part of 30th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 30th HBCT, North Carolina National Guard.
Staff Sergeant Kelly Little of Charlotte, N.C. from Battery B, 113th Field Artillery, 30th HBCT, North Carolina National Guard, agreed. "This means a lot after a long deployment and long week of (demobilizing). It allows us the opportunity to let off some steam and enjoy a good game."
The event was a chance for Soldiers to unwind and relax after returning from a deployment in Iraq and participating in demobilization activities at Fort Stewart.
Rocky's hosted the Super Bowl party and provided various food items and soft drinks for the 30th HBCT Soldiers, courtesy of 30th HBCT Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation funds.
"The Super Bowl is a national sport for everyone," said Lt. Col. Calvin Moore of Ahoskie, N.C. and member of the 30th HBCT command staff.
"It's a great thing for all the Soldiers here... For all that supported us in doing (this event), we say thank you," Lt. Col. Moore continued.
The large Super Bowl party included a halftime raffle for a variety of prizes ranging from a drink koozie and foam finger combination to a portable grill and cooler for tailgating.
Sounds of disappointment were heard for losing numbers and sounds of joy for those who won, as the fans listened to the host announce the winning raffle tickets.
"This is a wonderful atmosphere... I couldn't wish to be anywhere else but here. [Being with] these people that I have been with for the past year; this is awesome," said Spc. Laura Lynch, of Company C, 230th Brigade Support Battalion, 30th HBCT, North Carolina National Guard.
A little over 900 Soldiers are left at Fort Stewart to demobilize and out-process to their home stations back in North Carolina, West Virginia and Colorado.
After Super Bowl Sunday, the remaining Soldiers will continue this demobilization process and go home to reunite with their Families and loved ones.
For the Indianapolis Colts' fans in Rocky's, it would be a hard night to get over, as the New Orleans Saints defense snatched a pass away from Peyton Manning, the Colts quarterback, in the closing minutes to secure the Super Bowl victory. The Saints beat the Colts 31-17.
For the Soldiers of the 30th HBCT however, it was just a night for them to be normal, if just for a little while.
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