During the National Anthem, Soldiers from the Defense Information School extend a large flag across the University of Maryland's Gary Williams Court on "Fort Meade Day." Tuesday night's event also featured the recognition of four Fort Meade Soldiers ...
Capt. Anthony Cooper, Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Alvelo, Spc. Tyler Mazur, Spc. Justin Haynes, Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein, Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith and Col. Jonathan E. Sweet, commander of the 780th Military Intelligenc...
Capt. Anthony Cooper (right) takes photos of the University of Maryland men's basketball team while Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Alvelo watches the game during "Fort Meade Day" on Feb. 21. Cooper and Alvelo were among four service members from the Fort Mead...
FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- Capt. Anthony Cooper isn't a big basketball fan. He's more of a football and baseball kind of guy.
But being a sports fan, he was eager to sit courtside at an Atlantic Coast Conference men's basketball game last week as the University of Maryland Terrapins defeated the University of Miami Hurricanes in a tight contest, 75-70.
"To be close to the action, that's where all the fun is," Cooper said.
Cooper was one of four Fort Meade service members from the U.S. Army Medical Department Activity who received courtside seats and were recognized during the Feb. 21 game at the Comcast Center in College Park.
"Fort Meade Day" was the final game of a season-long military appreciation program, which featured service members from the installation at each home game.
"It's a great opportunity to bring out the troops from Fort Meade and integrate them into our game-day presentation," said Christian Lewis, general manager at Terrapin Sports Marketing.
Prior to Fort Meade Day, Garrison Commander Col. Edward C. Rothstein was interviewed by the long-time "voice" of Maryland athletics, Johnny Holliday. Rothstein discussed the partnership between Fort Meade and the University of Maryland.
"This is a good way to show how we can partner outside the fence line," Rothstein said.
Twenty students from the Defense Information School were also featured during the pre-game events when they unfurled a large American flag across Gary Williams Court during the National Anthem. The flag extended from free-throw line to free-throw line.
DINFOS photography student Pvt. Codie Mendenhall, who was among the group that extended the flag, said he was excited to partake in the pre-game ceremony on the court.
"I think it's great," he said.
After folding up the flag, the students took their seats in the Comcast Center to watch the action. Pfc. John Russell, a combat documentation/production specialist student, said the evening was a good opportunity for the Soldiers to get out of the daily school routine.
"We spend a lot of time on post," he said. "We always try to focus on studying. All we talk about is videography or photography. So to get out and interact with people is kind of cool."
Near the middle of the game's first half, Rothstein, Cooper and Col. Jonathan E. Sweet, commander of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade, joined four other Soldiers -- Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Charles E. Smith, Sgt. 1st Class Carlos Alvelo, Spc. Tyler Mazur and Spc. Justin Haynes -- at the edge of the court to be introduced to the 12,871 basketball fans.
This was the first time Mazur was ever given a large standing ovation.
"It was definitely an experience," he said. "I definitely appreciate it."
Rothstein, who has attended multiple military appreciation events as garrison commander, said the enthusiastic response from large crowds gives him pride.
"It is a true sense of 'wow,' " he said. "This is all about Fort Meade and Team Meade, and people are applauding what we're doing."
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