Pittsburgh loves their veterans!

 That’s what a certain young lady wrote to me after a very moving experience at Heinz Field. They love their Steelers too, so it was appropriate that the two groups would stand tall on the same field the Sunday after we had celebrated Veteran’s Day across the U.S.

 So seven Pittsburgh veterans crossed the white lines onto the playing surface to the cheers and applause of thousands of fans.   

 Including Staff Sergeant Charles S. Reljac.

 The Steeler Football Club recognizes our veterans each year in this manner and through the efforts of Rebecca and some of her co-workers Dad was privileged to be part of the celebration. This all started with a discussion as to whether he would want to do it and would the team accept him as one of the veterans to honor. Once the approval came from the team the idea was presented to Dad. “As long as I don’t have to say something” was his reply. Not a problem, although should that have been necessary we are all quite sure he could manage to talk his way into people’s hearts.

 The big day was approached with a great deal of excitement, and a little planning. Dad was furnished with a great looking winter weight Steeler jacket complete with a World War II patch indicating his veteran status. Family members going to the game joined in dinner prior to heading to the stadium. Once there, Dad and a few of his guests went to a VIP tent where they were joined by the other veterans to prepare for the pregame ceremony.  Those veterans represented the other conflicts of the past 50 years including the Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afganistan. Among those there to greet and thank the vets was Steeler president Art Rooney II.

Dad meets Floyd Laughlin, Pearl Harbor veteran

Dad welcomed to Heinz Field by Rebecca

 Everyone was escorted to the field and the sidelines behind the Steeler bench. In addition to Dad another gentleman represented WWII. He was at Pearl Harbor on December 7 so with him and Dad present, both the Pacific and European theaters were accounted for. When these two members of the greatest generation first saw each other they approached and without a word shook hands and hugged. They both knew what it means to have lived all of these years with the memories of war never far from the surface.  

 Rebecca was asked if she could escort Dad on to the field incase he had trouble walking. She agreed knowing that her real reason was to keep him from charging on to the field ahead of everyone else!

 Then it was prime time.

 The teams had entered the field, the crowd was fired up and we all welled up with pride as our veterans walked to their positions on the field, facing the crowd and the assembled football players, coaches and dignitaries.

 One by one, each veteran was individually introduced via a short bio documenting their military experience as they were shown on the huge end zone screen. At the end of each introduction the crowd roared their appreciation when the veteran snapped a crisp salute. 50,000 voices and 100,000 hands joining together to thank these people, and all other veterans past and present, for the devotion they have displayed to their country.  

Dad responds to the cheers of the fans

Chills? That is an understatement. Tears? Of course!

 A number of people who were in the stands noted that once the ceremony started most of those in the stadium stopped. Stopped moving in the aisles, stopped buying popcorn and stopped cheering for the Steelers. Their attention and focus shifted to seven figures on the field.

 As the veterans returned to the sidelines there were handshakes and high-fives from the players and coaches. It was evident who the real heroes were that day. The vets gathered on the team bench for a few minutes then once again entered the field to stand behind the flag during the national anthem.  

The stadium screen shows the veterans together

 After that they enjoyed a quick cart ride off the field and headed to private boxes to watch the game.

 Including one Staff Sergeant Charles Reljac.

 Congratulations Dad, you deserve the recognition. And thank you for your service.