Buccaneers pay tribute to soldiers

Two sad but proud families hold a place of honor at the game.

By DEMORRIS A. LEE, Times Staff Writer
Published November 5, 2007

From left, Jason Rossi, Teresa Thomas, Debbie Kirkpatrick and Craig Thomas honor their fallen family members, Pfc. Jonathan Rossi and Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas. The families served as honorary captains during the coin toss.
	[Brendan Fitterer | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Brendan Fitterer | Times] Michael Rossi shakes hands with Bucs quarterback Jeff Garcia before the coin toss for the Bucs vs. Cardinals game. [Family photo] This undated photo shows Staff Sgt Michael D. Thomas, in Afghanistan where he died April 27. Thomas was called "Gramps" because at 34 he was older than most new special forces soldiers. [Jim Damaske | Times] A photo of Jonathan Rossi is taped to his family's refrigerator by his dad, Michael. Jonathan, a PFC in the Army, was killed July 1 in Iraq.

TAMPA - Jason Rossi fought back tears Sunday as he stood on the sideline at Raymond James Stadium and listened to Shelia Upshaw's soul-stirring rendition of the national anthem.

Rossi has heard the song more than a few times in his 19 years. But on this day his family was being honored because Rossi's brother, Pfc. Jonathan Michael Rossi, made the ultimate sacrifice.

"I was like, I hope the camera doesn't see me," Jason Rossi said of his watering eyes. "It's awesome that they honored him like this and to show us that they haven't forgotten about him. ... It's an awesome feeling."

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers honored two fallen soldiers at its home game against the Arizona Cardinals. The families of Pfc. Rossi of Safety Harbor and Staff Sgt. Michael Thomas of Seffner were honorary captains. They participated in the coin toss in the middle of the field at the beginning of the game.

The families remained for the game and were presented an honorary football by recently retired running back Mike Alstott.

"I do not believe there is anything more inspirational than the commitment made by the brave men and women of the American armed forces," said Bruce Allen, the Bucs' general manager.

Jonathan Rossi, 20, was killed July 1 in Baghdad when insurgents attacked his unit.

Michael Thomas, 34, was killed in April in a firefight during a combat patrol in Afghanistan.

Comrades take part

Thomas was a staunch Bucs fan. As a child he would make his mother, Debbie Kirkpatrick, drive him to the stadium parking lot.

"We would just sit there and look at the stadium," his mother said Sunday before walking to the 50-yard line with her son's wife and 8-year-old son. "He loved the Bucs and would argue with anybody. Win or lose, the Bucs were great."

Members of Thomas' 1st Battalion 7th Special Forces Group traveled from Fort Bragg, N.C., to take part in the pregame activities.

"The fact that the Bucs and the NFL are recognizing the sacrifices of soldiers is great," said Capt. Casey Galligan of Clearwater, a member of the Fort Bragg unit. "It means everything to the guys to see Mike being honored like he should."

Sunday was the second such honor for Jonathan Rossi. Last month, the Countryside Cougars dedicated a flagpole with a plaque to the soldier's honor at its Safety Harbor home field. Two of Rossi's brothers, Jordan, 14, and C.J., 13, play for the organization.

Being on the Bucs sideline was a thrill for the two teenagers.

"I got to put my arm around a cheerleader," said C.J., beaming.

"People never get this close to the field," Jordan said as he slapped the hands of the players who were entering the tunnel after the pregame warm-ups. "Not even if you are in the front row. You never get this close."

A family tradition

Military sacrifice is something the Rossi family has had an intimate relationship with over the last year.

Soon after Rossi was killed, stepbrother Matt Reif told the family that he was quitting the University of South Florida and joining the Army. Reif, 21, graduated from boot camp Oct. 12 as a platoon honor graduate. He is now in Monterey Bay, Calif., training to be a linguist.

"His [Jonathan Rossi's] ultimate sacrifice just sparked the interest in me to serve my country," Reif said Sunday from California.

Shortly after Reif left for boot camp, Jason Rossi told the family his news. He too has joined the Army. He ships out Nov. 20.

With a fresh tattoo of a rifle with a helmet and dog tags swinging from it, and with "Jon M. Rossi" scripted beneath on his left forearm, Jason said he's confident he's doing the right thing.

At halftime Sunday, in front of a crowd of 65,000, Jason took the oath that his father took when he joined the Air Force, the oath that brothers Jonathan and Matt took. Jason promised to uphold the Constitution of the United States and became a soldier in the U.S. Army.

Demorris A. Lee can be reached at dalee@sptimes.com or 727 445-4174.

[Last modified November 4, 2007, 22:28:31]