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January 11, 2008
Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl Showcases Support for the Troops
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California football players celebrate their victory in this year's Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. The game honors the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces. |
“Hosting the Bowl in honor of our men and women in uniform for the past two years has been a tremendous privilege,” said Bell Helicopter CEO Dick Millman. He is understandably proud of the tremendous success of the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl held in Fort Worth, Texas on December 31, 2007.
The college football game, televised live on ESPN from Texas Christian University’s Amon Carter Stadium pitted the California Golden Bears against the U.S. Air Force Academy Falcons. More than 44,000 fans attended the sold-out game, which was won by California 42-36.
Festivities included a pep rally the day before with a fly over of three military Bell helicopters – a Marine UH-1N Huey, MarineAH-1W Cobra and Army OH-58D Kiowa. The helicopters remained on public display for visitors on the day of the game.
Bell Volunteers Make the Difference
“The visiting public really loved seeing the helicopters up close,” says Tom Daley. Daley, a product support manager for the BA609 tiltrotor, was one of more than a dozen volunteers working the landing field on game day.
“We had a mix of locals and former military,” Daley says. “They were especially curious about the OH- 58D, which supports our troops in Iraq.”
For Daley and the many other dedicated Bell employees who organized and help run the event, it was an extremely positive experience. “Many of those who attended told us firsthand that they appreciate Bell's support of the armed forces through the products we make and the sponsorship of the game.”
“It was terrific to feel the support of the men and women of Bell Helicopter,” added Millman. “They did a marvelous job.”
Free Tickets for Armed Forces
To help show its appreciation of the Armed Forces (past and present), the sponsorship by Bell and others allowed 10,000 tickets to be given free of charge to active military troops. United States military veterans were eligible for half-price tickets.
Through a separate effort made possible through the USO, many soldiers were bussed in from bases and locations in Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. “We wanted them to know how much we appreciate what they do for us,” says Bryan Warren, advertising manager at Bell, says of the soldiers.
Textron Systems and E-Z-GO Lend Support
Adding to the game-day activities was a welcoming video message from General David Petraeus in Iraq, the presentation of the second annual "Great American Patriot Award," to Pete Geren, Secretary of the United States Army and a Fort Worth native, and a swearing-in ceremony at half-time for new members of the United States military.
Other Textron companies demonstrated their support for the troops through additional sponsorships and their presence at the Bowl.
On display was Textron Systems' Armored Security Vehicle (ASV), which is protecting soldiers from roadside explosives. A fleet of 24 E-Z-GO golf cars provided VIP transport in and around the stadium on game day.
“Thank you for hosting this bowl game and paying tribute to the men and women in uniform,” Secretary Geren said. “There's no community more committed to the men and women in our armed forces.”
Bell plans to continue sponsorship of the event for the next two years.
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