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Soldiers and Airmen caddy for the pros
Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Barbara Harbison, NJDMAVA/PA

Smiles were showing among the 14 members of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard during the last week of August, when they were caddies and announcers at The Barclays, the first event of the PGA’s FedEx Cup, held at Liberty National Golf Course, Jersey City.

On Aug. 26, two New Jersey Air Guard members and nine Army guard members were among the 27 members of the Army, Air Force and Coast Guard from New Jersey and New York who caddied for the pro golfers for the first hole during the Pro-Am tournament. Tech. Sgt. Jim Maribo from the 108th Air Refueling Wing was the lucky


Airman caddy Master Sgt. Jill Moore, left, listens as Adam Scott discusses what to expect on the first fairway.
military member who picked Tiger Woods’ name out of the hat.

Other Jersey Guard caddies were: Pfc. Michael Conroy (Ryan Moore and Fred Couples); Staff Sgts. Trygve Myklebust (Lucas Glover), Richard St. Pierre (Dustin Johnson) and Dan Tinkler (John Rollins); Sgts. 1st Class Brian Bollinger (Sergio Garcia) and Todd Friedman (Nick Watney); Air Guard Master Sgt. Jill Moore (Adam Scott); Sgts. Maj. Harold Homan (Jerry Kelly) and Lisa Homan (Kevin Na); and retired Lt. Col. Ed Slavin (Joe Ogilvie). Some of the professional caddies handed their green caddy vest to their guest caddy to wear for their new job.

“A chance of a lifetime,” said Conroy, echoing many of his cohorts who lugged the heavy bags down the fairway. Many of them came off the course with momentos from the golfers, things to remember a very special day.

On Saturday and Sunday, four New Jersey Guard members were part of the military presence that announced the pro golfers as they stepped off on their first tee of the day. Slavin, Tech. Sgt. Donald Woods, Sgt. 1st Class Robert Stephenson, Air Guard Master Sgt. Lisel White and Slavin, all took turns with military members from the Coast Guard and Army to announce the pros. White also sang the national anthem before

Soldier caddy Sgt. 1st Class Brian Bollinger, right, holds the bag while pro golfer Sergio Garcia removes a wedge.

Birdies for the Brave Soldiers and Airmen caddy for the pros Story and photos by Tech. Sgt. Barbara Harbison, NJDMAVA/PA the start of the tournament on Sunday on the first tee.

The Barclays, PGA and Birdies for the Brave sponsored free admittance to the event for members of the military, retirees and their family members during the entire event. There was also a tent on the fourth fairway for the military members to relax, get free refreshments and play video games.

57th gets new commander

Lt. Col. Gerard R. Gagnon, left, gives the 57th Troop Command colors to Command Sgt. Maj. James H. Marshall for safekeeping during Gagnon’s installation as commander on Sept. 19. He replaces Brig. Gen. James J. Grant. Photo by Spc. Robert Neill, 444MPAD.

Table of Contents
Volume 34 Number 5 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2009 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military