Florida Gators
Arkansas
Gators remember 9/11, honor those serving in military by carrying U.S. flags onto field
Saturday, September 10, 2011 | Football, Women's Tennis, Scott Carter
As part of the Gators' remembrance of 9/11 and as a salute to those who serve and defend the country by serving in the military, eight Gators with family military ties will lead the team onto the field for today's game against UAB by carrying American flags.
One of those is walk-on fullback Jesse Schmitt, who is on track to join the U.S. Marine Corps upon graduation and has already started his training.
“Excited doesn't even begin to describe how I feel,'' Schmitt said Friday when first informed by coaches of the plan.
“He's a patriotic young man,'' said Bruce Schmitt, Jesse's father and a former Marine. “I'm just going to be so proud of him, seeing him carry that flag out. It's going to be a very special moment for both my wife and I, that's for sure.''
Here are the Gators carrying U.S. flags out for today's game:
Dominique Easley – Brother, David, is in the Navy and is currently overseas; grandfather, David Steggers, was in the Air Force and served in the Vietnam War.
Jeremy Brown – Father, Terrell, served in the Navy; grandfather, Jimmy Brown, was in the Army and served in the Vietnam War.
Lerentee McCray – Uncle, Tracy Glover, is active in the Army and based in Texas.
Matt Elam – Father, Donald Elam, served in Vietnam.
Jesse Schmitt – Father, Bruce Schmitt, served in the Marines. Both his maternal and paternal grandfathers served in the military. Jesse is on track to be commissioned second lieutenant in the Marines upon graduation.
Xavier Nixon – Both parents serve in the military. Mother, Fotini, and father, Kenneth, both are stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C. Father served in Kuwait and Afghanistan, while mother served in Iraq.
Loucheiz Purifoy – Sister, Kamisha Shannon, served in the Army and his brother-in-law, Terrell Shannon, is currently active in the Army.
Jabari Gorman – Father, David, is active in the Army and has served in Afghanistan; brother, David, is active in the Army and based in Texas.
