Air Force Lacrosse Gets Involved With America Supporting Americans

Air Force Lacrosse Gets Involved With America Supporting Americans

USAFA, Colo. - While the Air Force lacrosse team strives for success on the field, it is the actions of the team off the field that will leave a lasting impression. The Falcons’ latest off-field endeavor has become a source of pride for the Academy and the athletic department, as the lacrosse team has recently become involved in the America Supporting Americans (ASA) Foster-a-Unit program.

ASA is a non-profit organization that links individual units in all branches of the military with communities across the country. Started in 1967 by Linda Patterson in support of her younger brother’s unit serving in Vietnam, ASA facilitates adoptions between towns, cities, or counties and individual military units throughout the country to build and strengthen the link between the men and women of the armed forces and the civilian communities they serve.

An offshoot of ASA’s centerpiece project, the Adopt-a-Unit program, the Foster-a-Unit program is designed to give businesses and organizations the opportunity to support the morale of troops serving both at home and overseas. A business, community group, or school group not involved with local adoption activities can foster a military unit by sending one or two rounds of letters and/or care packages to troops who are serving in harms way.

The Falcons, one of several college lacrosse teams across the country to participate in the ASA program, are fostering a unit based out of Fort Hood, Texas, currently stationed in Iraq. The F Company, part of the 3rd Combined Arms Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, is a Forward Support Company, which has traveled over 12,000 miles of Combat Logistical Convoys throughout the battalion-assigned sector.

The Falcons have already used some of their free time to assemble care packages for their fostered unit and will continue to do so throughout the season. In return, the team receives periodic updates and photos from its unit serving in Iraq.

“It is our pleasure to do what we can to support the people who allow us to play our game,” said Air Force head coach Fred Acee. “[These individuals serving] are truly heroes to my team and our staff.”

For more information on ASA and its Adopt-a-Unit and Foster-a-Unit programs, visit www.asa-usa.org.