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Bucs talk of pride after MacDill trip

[Special to the Times: Tom Wagner] Safety John Lynch, center, and quarterback Brad Johnson, right, present a helmet and football to Col. Mike Coman at MacDill Air Force Base.

By RICK STROUD

© St. Petersburg Times,
published September 26, 2001

TAMPA -- They came to provide support and left feeling as though they were the ones comforted.

Under heavy security, a contingent of nine Bucs players and general manager Rich McKay visited military personnel at the MacDill Air Force Base for about two hours Tuesday.

"It's great to see these people and to let them know that we appreciate what they do," safety John Lynch said. "It makes you proud to be an American, No. 1. And No. 2, it makes you feel awfully safe to be an American. The efficiency with which they work and the pride they take in their job is just exceptional."

Chief Commander Master Sergeant Lew Monroe, who commands the 6th Air Mobility Wing, greeted Lynch and teammates Ronde Barber, Jeff Christy, Russ Hochstein, Brad Johnson, Dave Moore, Shelton Quarles, Mark Royals and Karl Williams.

Monroe provided the Bucs with three simple orders. "Enjoy yourself, pat them on the back and then kick the crap out of the Minnesota Vikings," he said.

The team buses were stopped at several security points and cleared by servicemen and women who boarded the buses to accept T-shirts and hats, with players signing many of them.

"It's amazing to be on the base today and see what these people are faced with defending our country," Royals said. "Yet they're getting so excited, almost giddy, to get a hat and a T-shirt and a chance to meet some NFL players. As small as that seems to us, we're glad to be here to provide that.

"The main question I had was how do people prepare themselves for the possibility that they could be at war and lose their lives at any point. To me, that's almost hard to fathom. These people deal with it with such a cheerful heart. To me, that's just amazing."

Monroe thanked the Bucs for spending part of their day at MacDill and left them with this thought. "One thing we do want you to realize after this visit is that your nation and your military is ready to defend our way of life," he said. "There's absolutely nothing to worry about."

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