Panthers provide troops a link home
January 4 Charlotte Observer
"Following the Carolina Panthers, for most fans, is as easy as turning on the living room TV.
But for those in the military, keeping up with the team takes will and determination.
They stand in long lines to check Internet scores, listen to radio broadcasts in the wee hours and even brave dangerous territory for the chance to catch a game on satellite.
In return, they say, the Panthers - who host the third home playoff game in team history Saturday - give them a sense of identity, a connection to home and family that helps them deal with the rigors of military life.
"When you are over there, you strive to maintain a connection to back home," said Army Maj. Dave Jones. "Part of my identity is the Carolina Panthers. They gave me a sense of comfort and made me forget a little about where I was."
Jones, 39, of Morganton, is stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga. He served in Iraq from January 2007 to April 2008 and he remembers doing everything he could to keep up with the team.
As a member of the 3rd Infantry Division, he was stationed in Ramadi, the capital of Anbar province. It was a hotbed of al-Qaida activity, and at its worst suffered as many as 35 attacks a day.
He scheduled a meeting at headquarters in Baghdad to coincide with Vinny Testaverde's first start as a Panther, on Oct. 14, 2007. It took two flights, forcing him to stay up all night, but Jones was able to watch the game on TV at Camp Victory.
He sat in an 8-by-10 metal building with a buddy and watched the game at 9 p.m. The room contained little more than the small TV, a bunk and a locker. Still, it was heaven.
"The Panthers won that game," he said. "It was so worth it."
Air Force Capt. Clark Mabry, who has family in Davidson, has gone to similar lengths to catch games.
Mabry, who flies AC-130H Spectre gunships, has done five tours in Afghanistan. He said that watching Panthers games with his fellow service members was about as close as he could get to being home.
"Talking trash to each other and laughing," he said. "About the only thing that was missing was beer.""Link
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