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Coach Berenato's Trip for the Troops: Day Two
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Pitt Coach Agnus Berenato and some of the soldiers she and the coaches group are visitng. -
Pitt Coach Agnus Berenato and some of the coaches she is with and a few soliders.
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Another scorcher!! As we left our rooms and went outside it was already 104 degrees. We ate breakfast in the dining hall and met some interesting soldiers I sat with Dave Roberts, a retired Air Force pilot He is a neat guy, and he knows everyone here. He has made our trip trouble free and I know he is in touch with Brian Koeberle who set this trip up with the U.S. Army. They have done a wonderful job of taking care of us.
• Pitt's Berenato to visit U.S. troops overseas
Everyone prepared for our first day on call. It was awesome. We had a meet and greet with the soilders and all the different people that work here.Many different armed forces are here, Army, Navy, Air Force and civilians in the service. The soliders were so apprieciative. They loved the coaches and we met people from all over. Two of my favorites were Bryan Smith Sr. from Philly and he knew everything about sports!! Of course I held the Steelers and Penguins up in high esteem!! He was great to banter with and we again saw Bryan this evening. My favorite was a young gentleman from Pittsburgh, Joe Harper It is a small world, one that we just happen to live in. Talked about growing up in Wilkensburg,Pepper Wilson and DeJuan Blair and loving Pitt. It was instant joy. Of course I gave him a tee shirt which he promptly put on over his army uniform and we took photos!! Yes, I accidently deleted the one with Joe and me! I am sick about it!! He promises when he comes home he will be a season ticket holder!! -- lol
We ate lunch and it was excellent. This dining service is the best in the land they say!!! I believe them!! Billy Kennedy (Murrey State)made me laugh when he saw a PopEyes (outside) on the base, he said" he had to get a 2 piece"!!! 118 degrees at this time and he waited with at least ten soldiers for fried chicken!!! It is the little things that make big things happen!! I ate wonderful chicken inside!!! It is important to keep your body loaded with water so I have drank more bottled water than in my entire life.
A huge honor followed when we met the Commander in charge, Col. Maxine Girard has only been here two weeks and she was very gracious as a host. She had us to her office and presented us with beautiful plaques and gave us a lot of useful information on our whereabouts. There were more photo ops and yes, I invited Colonel Girard to be a guest coach. She is in her modest words, "the mayor of a small town" but yours and my safety is in her hands. She is so modest and she gave us a Commander's Coin. This is her second tour of duty and she is well suited for this job. I wish her great luck. She also loved the gear I gave her because she usually gets baseball hats or tee shirts!!
We took several other tours and saw where soldiers go for R and R( Rest and Reaxation) It was quite impressive, as the soldiers get four days off every tour. It is great to see how the men and women's faces light up when you talk to them!! It just makes you so happy and I am so proud to represent everyone in Pittsburgh. Even when you walk on the base, people just say "Thanks for coming here". Imagine, I am the one thanking them for keeping us safe.
We had dinner at a small place on base with some soldiers and their leaders. Again, we just mixed and mingled with the men and women that are here for R and R. We decided to walk back to our rooms about 10 p.m. It is cute, the male coaches are really nice and are always checking to see if I need anything!! Once again, we talked staff, styles and traded stories on recruiting and walkons!! Our game is the same game; men or women!!
Four of us did laundry since everything you touch is instantly dirty. It is hot, hot and the wind blows and the sand is all over. Today we changed three times due to heat and different functions so I was happy to get some wash done.
Tomorrow is another early day and we move on to a different site. Dave told us it will be a long day so for now (12:25 am) I will sign off.
Thanks for your support and "There's no place like Pitt!!'
Game on, Ab
First Published August 10, 2009 6:55 pm
