I received an email earlier alerting me that a former Florentine just won tickets to watch the Jets play. Local readers may know John Turner, a South Florence graduate. John is a Captain and the Commander of Company A, 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery (or 2-8 FA), which is part of the 1-25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team (US Army).
Jay Feely, a kicker for the New York Jets, posted a contest for tickets to a Jets game on Twitter. The National Post picked up the story and the entries flowed in.
In the specialized world of the NFL, double kicking duty is a rarity. Feely on Tuesday is having some fun with the feat, offering two tickets for Sunday’s division-round game in San Diego for the best photo of someone punting while doing their regular job. He will get you into the game but you are on your own to get to San Diego.
John rose to the challenge and took a picture of himself kicking a football in snowshoes in front of the Fort Wainwright sign in Alaska (his current station). The temperature reads -41 degrees.
After reviewing the entries, Feely posted the winner– our own John Turner — on Twitter. He also tweeted (verb for posting on twitter) that a member of the military serving in negative 41 degrees deserves to win. I agree! I feel guilty that I have been complaining about the cold weather in Florence!
John fortunately has four days of leave and has invited his roommate from West Point to use the second ticket. I hope they have the trip of a lifetime, after all they do for us they deserve it! Thanks guys from all of us at the Flossip!
(Follow the Flossip on twitter as well.)
(Thanks to his mom, Berta, for calling him to get permission to post this story!)
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Well deserved John. Stay warm and thanks for all you do. All those years you were kicking the wrong ball, Football seems to suit you more. Have fun in San Diego!