Sometimes bragging rights are hard to come by, but this year the Colerain Recruiting Station came out on top in the Cincinnati Recruiting Company, they recruited the Army's 2011 Soldier of the Year, Spc. Thomas Hauser. When the 2008 graduate of Colerain High School near Cincinnati, Ohio, came home to celebrate the holidays, he added to their victory by speaking at several schools, interacting with local veterans, and sharing his story with a senior citizen group.
"It's awesome coming back here and helping the recruiters by talking to the kids and telling them how the military takes care of you and how you're a part of a family," said Hauser, a military police (31B) Soldier with the 563rd Military Police Company, 91st MP Battalion, 10th Sustainment Brigade, at Fort Drum, N.Y. Hauser represented Forces Command at the 2011 Army Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Va., in October.
When talking with the students, Hauser's message was, "If you want to be a part of something ... a brotherhood where we look after one another ... where it's very diverse and everyone comes together to protect the nation, if you want to be a part of that, then stay motivated and stay focused."
An avid Bengals football fan, Hauser was honored with an invitation to watch the team practice and participate in the coin toss at a December game. During the practice, players on the sideline ran up to him to shake his hand and thank him for his service. Seldom, if ever, are non-players allowed at the practice, and this day the team showed their appreciation for Hauser and all Soldiers as they changed the team's "Who Dey" chant to "Hooah."
At the end of the day, Hauser spoke with the team and thanked them for letting him visit.
"We were honored to host Specialist Hauser and his fellow Soldiers and proud to introduce them to our football team," said Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis. "Our players are truly inspired by the dedication shown by our Soldiers. We appreciate all they do for us on a daily basis, and Specialist Hauser's accomplishments are truly remarkable."
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