1/14/2009 – News
Volume 125, Number 50
Leeds native given trip to Army Bowl in San Antonio, Texas
A North Dakota Army National Guard soldier and his wife had the opportunity of a lifetime the first weekend in January when they traveled to San Antonio, Texas to attend the Army All-American Bowl. Spc. David Young, of Devils Lake was selected as one of 20 military members nationwide for a live appearance at the game.
Young is a native of Leeds. His parents are Brian and Linda Young of Leeds and his grandparents are Wayne and Mary Brager and Shirley Young of Leeds and the late Allan Young. David Young’s wife, Sara is a native of Bismarck. David is a 1999 graduate of Leeds High School.
"The game was awesome!" Young said. "We were honored before the game and got a standing ovation from 37,000-plus people. It was enough to give you goose bumps." The events leading up to the game were just as memorable for the 27-year-old Guardsman.
The week began with Young being assigned a bowl player, Chris Metcalf, a Compton, Calif. native who is attending the University of Southern California, where he’ll play cornerback next year.
"It was a great time getting to know him and learning what it is like living in California. He was really grateful for the soldiers and what they fight for. He asked a lot of questions about my deployment and what that was like and, once again, was very grateful for everything we do as soldiers," Young said.
Other events of the weekend included a rodeo and rib dinner at an authentic Texas ranch and a banquet that featured two renowned speakers: Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice chief of staff for the US Army and Marshall Faulk, "one of the — if not the greatest — running backs ever in the NFL," Young said.
Chiarelli also was part of a breakfast event, which became Young’s favorite part of the week, aside from the game. Pete Geren, secretary of the Army and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth O. Preston, Sergeant Major of the Army, also were there.
"The Secretary of the Army, Pete Geren, sat at my table with me and three other soldiers, one of which did the same job as me in Iraq: Trailblazer," Young said. Young mobilized to Iraq with Company A of the 164th Engineer Battalion from August of 2005 through November of 2006. They served as Trailblazers, patrolling supply routes for improvised explosive devices to ensure safe travel for Coalition Forces and Iraqi civilians. Young received a Purple Heart Medal for wounds received in action there.
"The breakfast was supposed to only last about a half an hour, but the Secretary of the Army was so intrigued with what we had to say about the Trailblazer mission it lasted about an extra hour."
Yet another unforgettable exchange occurred with Karl Malone, former NBA basketball star and Olympic gold medalist.
"He told us what he described to people that a hero is and he said it was us, the soldiers," Young said. "Through teary eyes, he thanked us for what we do as soldiers and told us that when his kids ask him who his hero is, he tells them it is us, the US military. I felt very honored to have inspired someone who has inspired me, also."
Young was nominated for the honor of attending the game by his supervisor, Master Sgt. John Yarbrough of Bismarck. Young works full-time for the National Guard as an information technology specialist at North Dakota’s Camp Grafton Training Center near Devils Lake. Being chosen for the honor included coverage of all of Young’s expenses and a game ticket for his wife. Bismarck’s Farwest Rotary Club raised the necessary funds to pay for her plane ticket.
"The trip went really well. It was a blast," Young said. "I would first like to thank everyone who helped make this possible, especially those who donated money for my wife to be able to attend this event with me."
Spc. David Young and his wife, Sara, pause for a photo during a banquet in San Antonio, Texas. Young was chosen as one of only 20 soldiers in the US to receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Texas to watch the Army All-American Bowl.
Chris Metcalf, the newest cornerback for the University of Southern California, and Spc. David Young, a North Dakota National Guard soldier, were paired together at the Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio, Texas recently. Soldiers from the west of the Mississippi were paired with football players from the same region. Metcalf is from Compton, Calif. Young is a native of Leeds.
Leeds Students of the Quarter
Students of the Quarter for the second nine-week period at the Leeds School have been chosen. Left to right are seventh grader Alyssa Anderson, daughter of Greg and Karen Anderson; eighth grader Seth Bisbee, son of Charlie and Tamie Bisbee; junior Ashley Manley, daughter of Jeff and Michelle Manley; senior Mark Tregub, whose host parents are Leo and Sharon McGarvey; freshman Jeni Swanson, daughter of Mark and Cindy Swanson; and sophomore Logan Gunderson, son of Randy and Sue Gunderson. Students are selected for this honor based on their academic performance, cooperation, personal behavior, student involvement and responsibility.
Food drive at Maddock
The Maddock Student Council held a school-wide food drive for the Maddock Food Pantry. During the week of December 8 students in gradesK-12 at the Maddock School brought food to support the cause. The student council decided to make it a contest — the class that donates the most food items receives a prize. The food was collected on Friday, Dec. 12 with the students raising a total of 263 food items. The fourth grade received third place and the fifth grade took second place. First place winner was the sixth grade, which donated 92 food items. They will get a pizza party in January. Maddock Student Council members who headed the food drive are, left to right, Karl Kenner, John Sears, Courtney Hestdalen and Preston Gilderhus.
