Sport fans are used to reading stories that sound like broken records, especially those about LSU sports since they are the dominate team in Louisiana football. Thanks to sports writer Randy Rosetta's article in the Times Picayune of 9/17/14 titled, "Soldiering On" readers were able to relate to the human side of sports that usually gets pushed aside.
Rosetta's article was about LSU's walk on receiver Luke Boyd who is a 27 year old U.S. Marine serving on active duty while pursuing his college education. He is married with one child and his wife graduated from LSU in 2009. Boyd served in Afghanistan from 2010-2011. His day begins at 4:30am and ends at home around 7:15pm.
Boyd acts as a mentor for the younger players and is a leader by his own actions. He oversees the physical training of the ROTC at Southern University as part of his commitment to the Marines. He is a major inspiration to the team and teaches them how to take themselves out of situations and realize its not about the individual, its about the team.
Boyd attends LSU as part of the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioner Education Program which gives enlisted men and women the chance to transition into the officers rank after college. He will become a second lieutenant upon finishing college in 2016. His education is paid for by the program.
This writer remembers how our veterans returning from WWII attended college on the G.I. Bill. Some of them played sports and were "All American." Boyd's story is a continuation of how our veterans over time have affected the lives of so many people in a positive way. The Marine Corps motto, Semper Fidelis (Always Faithful) is alive and well at LSU and I salute my brother Marine Luke Boyd who continues to carry on the traditions of all those who ever wore the eagle, globe and anchor, Honor, Courage and Commitment.
This commentary written by John Lucia.
No comments :
Post a Comment