Hundreds turned out Thursday for tailgating fun and the Doughboy Bowl in which the Fort Benning Doughboys played the Columbus State University club team. Before the game, there were barbecues, games and live music by the Maneuver Center of Excellence Rock Band.
"We heard the rock band was going to play," said Elaine Fetzer of Memphis, Tenn. "We've been wanting to hear them and we know someone in the band. We've seen their Christmas show before and one of their (summer) concerts."
The festivities led up to the unveiling of the new, limited edition commemorative silver dollar coin, which will go on sale next year and be priced at the value of silver. Proceeds will go to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
Many Soldiers came out in support of the Doughboys.
"It was a function that our first sergeants wanted us to go to support (our units)," said Spc. Zachary Primus of the 2nd Battalion, 2th Infantry Regiment.
His friend, Pvt. Jason Brown of Airborne School, said he loved football.
"I want to see if they have competition out here and see how it is overall," he said.
There was also a display competition among Fort Benning units and directorates, which were judged by Fort BenningCommanding General Maj. Gen. Robert Brown, Command Sgt. Maj. Chris Hardy and former NFL coach Marv Levy.
Levy retired after 47 years of coaching football. He led the Buffalo Bills to four consecutive Super Bowls -- something no other coach has done.
The winner of the display contest was the 197th Infantry Brigade. The brigade's display included historical trophies that the 29th Infantry Regiment had won and game balls from the 1930s and 1950s when the Doughboys previously had a team, said 1st Sgt. John Giles.
He said the display showed the lineage dating back to when the 29th Infantry Regiment built the Doughboy Stadium.
"197th is comprised of the 1st Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, 29th Infantry Regiment and the CONUS Replacement Center and that is under our umbrella, and that is where we trace the Doughboy lineage," he said.
Col. John King, commander of the Ranger Training Brigade, said the Ranger Training Brigade display represented the three phases of Ranger School. The display included Big John, a mounted alligator that died many years ago. An alligator is one of the obstacles Rangers may come across.
Another display by the Directorate of Training and Doctrine showcased the idea of new versus old simulations. Sgt. Maj. Marco Youman used an old 1970s football game and an iPad to show the advancement in technology when it comes to simulations.
Of his experience being at Fort Benning for the first time, Levy said it was amazing.
"Of course, I'd been in the military but so long ago during World War II, and to see how things have changed, to see the many faceted things that are taking place here at Fort Benning -- the high morale and the energy of the people here has been heartwarming," Levy said.
He said playing football is about fun.
"Don't make it overly serious. It's an opportunity for them to express themselves and a healthy way to compete," he said.
2012 Infantry Soldier silver dollar unveiled at game
The 2012 Infantry Soldier silver dollar was unveiled for the first time during the second annual Doughboy Bowl played Thursday between Fort Benning Doughboys and Columbus State University club team. Georgia's congressional delegation approved legislation in 2008 for the U.S. Mint to issue a silver dollar coin, which commemorates the U.S. Infantry and National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
The coin will be available next year for purchase. All proceeds will go to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center.
"The United States Mint is pleased to have Infantry Soldiers and their Families be the first in the nation to see the designs of this new U.S. commemorative silver dollar being created in their honor," said B. B. Craig, associate director of sales and marketing at the U.S. Mint.
After the coin's unveiling, it was flipped by former NFL coach Marv Levy. Levy led the Buffalo Bills to four straight appearances in the Super Bowl from 1991 to 1994.
After coaching for 47 years he retired at the age of 72 and was one of the oldest coaches in the history of the NFL. He recently published a novel titled Between the Lies about a sports journalist.
Levy is also prior military, having served during World War II.
"The admiration we have for (the Soldiers) and the responsibility they have to this great nation -- we are aware of it and I'm sure they are, too," he said.
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