Last week, Aurora Gonzalez (pictured at left), Director of Public Relations at Frito-Lay, traveled with the Tostitos brand team, members of the USO and a group of former college football players and professional football coaches to Baghdad, Iraq, to help host the first-ever "Salute the Troops" Bowl, sponsored by Frito-Lay and the USO. Today on Snack Chat, Aurora offers a personalized peek into the events and activities she experienced -- from meeting soldiers currently stationed in the Persian Gulf to staying in a hotel that was a former palace owned by Saddam Hussein's family to sharing in the soldiers' excitement as they took the field with former all-star football players. In addition, throughout Aurora's recaps, we're sharing a video and a few pictures that she captured during the week of events. Enjoy!
During halftime at the Fiesta Bowl, you saw a brief highlight of the Tostitos "Salute the Troops" Bowl played in Baghdad, Iraq. I was fortunate enough to spend the week with the coaches, the players, and more importantly, our troops.
We all came away proud and humbled by the incredible men and women in the military. Words cannot capture my experience. Every day I sent family and friends my impressions of the day’s activities. Below are some excerpts that I hope vividly and honestly convey some of the incredible moments I had during this trip.
Day 1: December 29, Kuwait City (Base Visits)
So, the plan was for the players to meet-and-greet with soldiers at three different bases. I’ll confess I was nervous about going to the bases. I had no idea what to expect. The mind imagines and it’s hard to not think about everything we see every day from pop culture and mainstream media. Key objective for the day was to not cry. What I would cry about unclear . . . the place, the work these soldiers are doing, the problems we read about, potentially injured soldiers. All seemed ample stimuli.
At the first base, as with all of them, the players and coaches sit at tables and the soldiers pass through taking pictures with them, getting autographs, etc. The ages of the troops vary. The 19+ year olds aren’t familiar with many of the players since they are older, but the soldiers seem happy of a reminder of home (is there anything more American than college football??) and perhaps feel reassured or steeled that people are thinking of them and want to see them, support them.
Then there are the fans . . . we heard "Bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuce" (for Bruce Smith) more than once. Fist bumps, hugs, high fives and even a little trash talking -- the best! They had pictures of great plays they wanted signed. A couple kids had their Oklahoma University banners to be signed by the five guys associated with the school. It was awesome to see the fun they were having with the players in that moment.
A long day but fascinating and honestly fun. Someone asked if it was intense; it wasn’t. But it certainly has left an indelible impression on my mind. I met my key objective (no crying, in case you forgot) . . . Let’s hope that these soldiers meet the most important objective -- getting home safe.
Click here to read Aurora's highlights (and view video/pictures) from Days 2 - 5 of her trip to the Persian Gulf for the Tostitos "Salute the Troops" Bowl.
Does anyone Remember Frito-Lay Peanut Butter Brownies, they was made in the late 70s I loved them they was the best and wish they Bring them back. if you notice no one sells a Peanut Brownie.
Posted by: Donald | January 20, 2010 at 07:57 PM