BOSS Soldiers to attend NFL game

By Courtney GriggsNovember 18, 2010

FORT SILL, Okla.-- Who doesn't want to fly in a private jet to a Steelers game in Pittsburgh'

Three Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 2nd Field Artillery are joining 12 other BOSS members to fly round-trip from Dallas to Pittsburgh for the Steelers game against the Oakland Raiders Nov. 21.

Operation Once-in-a-Lifetime and Troy Polamalu from the Steelers made all of this possible.

"This whole trip was organized by Patrick Sowers, owner of Operation Once in a Lifetime," said Spc. Jacob Gilcrease, 2nd-2nd FA BOSS representative. "He has teamed up with Procter and Gamble and ever since then Troy Polamalu has been working with Operation Once in a Lifetime. They have funded all sorts of things for Soldiers in need. Troy Polamalu invited 15 Soldiers to be his guests at the game. We don't have seats. We'll be sitting on the sidelines, which is awesome.

"Last year, 15 Soldiers went to a game and flew commercially. This year, they didn't have enough funds, so the stadium owner is flying us in his private jet."

Polamalu told the Cannoneer that he has worked with charities and visiting Soldiers before.

"I really believe, for one, that they are true heroes," shared Polamalu about the Soldiers he helps. "Especially here in America. I have had family that served in the armed forces, so it's amazing what type of sacrifices that these men and women make."

The Soldiers are flying out of the Dallas-Fort Worth airport Saturday.

"Last year, everyone who went was picked up at the Pittsburgh airport by limos," said Gilcrease. "They stayed at a four- or five-star hotel. They got up early the next morning and hung out in the locker room from about 9 a.m. until about an hour before the game started. They then went on the field with the players. I am pretty sure this year will be the same. And, I am really looking forward to it."

If Polamalu has anything to do about it, the Soldiers will enjoy everything.

"I just hope it's entertaining for them, seeing the things they protect," said Polamalu. "The freedom that we have, the beautiful things we have here in America, the entertainment industry, the things that many people take for granted, like being able to go eat at a restaurant. When you [deploy] you're not able to do those things."