Cut and pasted this reader email from an LSU Sports site:
You may remember that I wrote you several weeks ago asking for your guidance in obtaining a football signed by Coach Miles. The football was for my son Zachary who recently returned from Iraq where he served as a combat company commander in the Army's 1st Calvary Division. You very kindly directed me to the appropriate person at the LSU football office who handles such requests. The request was made last week. Last night we had a welcome back celebration for Zachary at our home in Baton Rouge. Not only did Coach Miles sign the football, he came to personally present it to our son. He gave a very moving tribute to our servicemen and generously took the time to talk with dozens of our guests. I have attached a picture of Coach Miles, our son and the football.
What makes this all the more special for us, and says so much about Coach Miles, is that this Saturday was his family day. He and Mrs. Miles had spent the day with their children at sporting events and I am sure he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his family. I know all of your readers understand the intense work schedule of head coaches at schools like LSU and know that every minute they can spend being a husband and dad is precious to them. That he took the time to visit the home of just an average fan in order to recognize the service of someone else's child says so much about Coach Miles' values.
I am told that Coach Miles would like to visit our soldiers and marines in Iraq this summer. The dining facility for the Army brigade from Louisiana is called Tiger Land and is decorated in purple and gold. I know that his arrival at that facility will recreate Tiger Stadium on a football Saturday night. I just can not imagine a better representative of LSU and our State.
The 100 soldiers in Zachary's command conducted more then 700 combat patrols and destroyed more then 400 IED (roadside bombs) during their year and a day in Sadar City, site of some of the fiercest fighting in Iraq. All of them returned home alive. We are very proud of our son and intensely grateful for his and his soldier's safe return. My wife and I want to thank all of your readers who support and pray for our sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines.
You may remember that I wrote you several weeks ago asking for your guidance in obtaining a football signed by Coach Miles. The football was for my son Zachary who recently returned from Iraq where he served as a combat company commander in the Army's 1st Calvary Division. You very kindly directed me to the appropriate person at the LSU football office who handles such requests. The request was made last week. Last night we had a welcome back celebration for Zachary at our home in Baton Rouge. Not only did Coach Miles sign the football, he came to personally present it to our son. He gave a very moving tribute to our servicemen and generously took the time to talk with dozens of our guests. I have attached a picture of Coach Miles, our son and the football.
What makes this all the more special for us, and says so much about Coach Miles, is that this Saturday was his family day. He and Mrs. Miles had spent the day with their children at sporting events and I am sure he wanted to spend as much time as possible with his family. I know all of your readers understand the intense work schedule of head coaches at schools like LSU and know that every minute they can spend being a husband and dad is precious to them. That he took the time to visit the home of just an average fan in order to recognize the service of someone else's child says so much about Coach Miles' values.
I am told that Coach Miles would like to visit our soldiers and marines in Iraq this summer. The dining facility for the Army brigade from Louisiana is called Tiger Land and is decorated in purple and gold. I know that his arrival at that facility will recreate Tiger Stadium on a football Saturday night. I just can not imagine a better representative of LSU and our State.
The 100 soldiers in Zachary's command conducted more then 700 combat patrols and destroyed more then 400 IED (roadside bombs) during their year and a day in Sadar City, site of some of the fiercest fighting in Iraq. All of them returned home alive. We are very proud of our son and intensely grateful for his and his soldier's safe return. My wife and I want to thank all of your readers who support and pray for our sailors, soldiers, airmen and marines.
