Monday, November 9, 2009

Patriots Battle For Fury


The Christ Prep Patriots have a "12th Man" rooting them on this week at the NACA tournament in Dayton, Tennessee. The Patriots, in turn, are rooting for this 12th Man as it fights a far more perilous battle day-in and day-out on the other side of the world.

The Patriots' 12th Man is Fury Company of the 4th Infantry Division of the United States Army. The soldiers of Fury Company are currently serving in Afghanistan. Their unit and the Patriots have developed a unique relationship this season as each has carried the other's flag into their respective battles.

The relationship between Fury and the Patriots began last summer when coach Dick Burton attended the funeral of one of Fury's fallen soldiers. Coach Burton's son Tim is a Lieutenant with Fury and Coach traveled to Indiana to represent Tim at the funeral. It was at that time Coach Burton conceived of the idea of the Patriots playing for Fury during the 2009 season. He subsequently presented the idea to the team which embraced in heartily. Since that time the communication and momentum have been building as each "unit" has developed a mutual respect, admiration, and following of the other.

In the photo above, senior running back Lenard Manuel models the Fury Company logo which has been affixed to the front of each of the Patriots' helmets. Pictured below is the decal which has been placed on the backs of all of the Patriots' helmets. It is a decal which honors the fallen soldier mentioned above.


During halftime of this year's homecoming game against East High School, Coach Burton discussed the relationship between Fury and the Patriots. He unveiled the logos and decals at that time. A link to this video can be followed here: http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.youtube.com%252Fwatch%253Fv%253D3ZegHubtwfQ&h=c6c51397ee5e6f7f165dd0f7f560daba&ref=mf.

Coach Burton also has provided some photos from a photographer who has followed Fury Company. Follow this link to see these photos: http://www.photoshelter.com/c/lucianread/gallery/Afghanistan-Kunar-Summer-2009/G0000n1o6XlEriNA/.

Following is Coach Burton's commentary on these photos. These comments were excerpted from an email to the Patriot families.

Patriot Football Families,

Sorry I didn’t add some explanation to the link to the pictures of the 4th ID in Kunar Province in Afghanistan. Here are some details –


The photographer is Lucian Read, and he is a correspondent for Dan Rather. He has been riding in my son Tim’s MRAP for transportation to the FOBs (forward operating bases) and COPs (combat outposts) over the last few months.

The pictures give an idea of the kind of terrain Fury Co. and the rest of 4th ID have to deal with on a daily basis.

The men of Fury Co. are very encouraged by the support you are showing, and they have sent us a gift… it’s
a surprise, and it is supposed to arrive before we leave for TN.


Coach Burton

Please check back as we provide more details this week about the Patriots' play in Tennessee. We also hope to provide additional information about Fury Company and the special bond it has developed with the Patriots. Please pray for the young men of CPA's football team as they prepare to compete in Tennessee. Please also pray for the soldiers of Fury Company as they protect our freedoms on the rugged soil of Afghanistan.

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