Operation Teammate and Georgia football provide unforgettable experience

ATHENS, Ga. – “Go Nick,” Adrian Davis cheered with both arms raised as he stood just a few feet away on the sideline, watching Georgia Bulldogs star running back Nick Chubb catch a pass from quarterback Jacob Eason during Friday’s team practice. Chubb quickly accelerated up the field, breaking through several tacklers for a big gain.

Adrian was standing with his cousins Jordan and Joshua Davis, whose faces lit up as they saw their favorite football player plow through the defense right before their eyes.

Jordan and Joshua’s father, Chief Gregory Davis, is currently serving the U.S. Army in Romania. In his 30th year of service, Chief Davis will be deployed this time for roughly one year.

Operation Teammate exists for these circumstances.

The Davis family is one of over two million United States’ Military and first responder families across the nation; 20 percent of those parents are away from home on duty throughout the year. Operation Teammate connects children with a currently deployed parent with sports organizations and provide supporting interaction during times of separation.

“The boys needed something like this,” Barbara Davis, Chief Davis’ wife, said. “To do guy stuff, since they are with me all the time.When they haven’t spoken to their father in a while and don’t understand, this is a great way to occupy their minds. To be invited means a lot.”

Tim Montjoy, founder and National Director of Operation Teammate, drew from his own experiences to fill a void in reaching children with a deployed parent. Montjoy is retired from the United States Air Force after serving from 1996-2016, with deployments to South Korea, Turkey and Afghanistan.

“I became a single parent in 2003 when I came back from Korea,” Montjoy said. “My daughter was involved in a lot of sports and activities growing up. She and I have a great relationship, and she grew up with me full-time for the most part.

There was never really any avenue or outlet outside of the home for her to be mentored athletically, academically and socially. That’s why we use athletes as an attention step. We want to create a memorable sporting experience that goes beyond sitting in the stands. We tour facilities, and the kids listen to athletes speak about what it took to get where they are and talk about the ups and downs. Being able to hear those stories hits home and resonates with the kids.”

Operation Teammate’s most recent event collaborated with the University of Georgia football program, which hosted 15 children and eight adults with a parent/spouse currently deployed. The children were able to watch the team practice, tour the brand new $30 million football complex, walk on the field at Sanford Stadium and meet the Bulldogs’ players and coaches.

The oldest child in attendance was 13-year old Shawn Murphy, whose father is currently serving in the U.S. Army in Kuwait. It’s the third time that Shawn’s father, Sergeant First Class Allan Peterson, has been deployed since they became a family (fifth total).

During the event, Shawn was able to speak one-one-one with Georgia quarterback Brice Ramsey, who is no stranger to what Shawn is going through. Ramsey’s father serves in the U.S. Navy, and will be leaving for another deployment in a few months.

Shawn was able to listen to Ramsey talk about embracing the positives of getting to live in so many different places and build connections with people all over the country.

“This is an awesome experience for Shawn to come out and be around people like him that know what he is going through,” Shawn’s mother Renee said. “Shawn being able to speak with Brice reinforces what we are trying to instill in him.”

Operation Teammate reaches a group that otherwise does not receive a lot of attention.

Trish Lenn and her three children, Micah, Asher and Seyla, took part in Friday’s event while husband and father Chief Jason Lenn is currently eployed via submarine serving in the U.S. Navy. In his 14th year of duty, Chief Lenn has been gone since June, and is expected back in September.Mrs. Lenn found out about Operation Teammate through a friend at church.

“It’s nice to be thought of,” she said. “It’s great for these kids to know they are important.”

Like all of the families in attendance, the Lenns never encountered an organization that is designed to serve children with a deployed parent.

Service-driven by nature, Montjoy is motivated to connect with as many children with a deployed parent as he can.

“I’m fueled by my experience of being a single parent in the military,” he said. “I want to make an impact with these kids, because I know what they are going through. I lived it.”

Erin Strough’s husband Zeth has been serving in the U.S. Army in Jordan since December 2016, and his return home is indefinite. Erin attended Friday’s event with her four children, and for the first time saw something click within her oldest daughter.

“This was the first time I saw Caden (9) understand the reward of hard work,” Erin said as she walked to her vehicle to head home after the event. “Caden saw that if she works hard, then she could be afforded an opportunity to be part of a school like this one day.”

Erin also appreciated the time to get away. Caught up in the daily routine of running the household with four kids with a deployed husband, the Operation Teammate event provided a day that she could get out of the house and spend a day doing something different.

Mike Davis served in the U.S. Air Force for over 23 years, and his wife Gretchen is currently deployed. Mike attended the event with his two daughters, and noted that while his girls are young (ages 5 and 6), they can reflect back on this day and know they were provided a unique experiences because they are part of a military family.

“Community is a team effort,” is the motto for Operation Teammate. From the vision of Montjoy to dedicate his post-military life to working with children who have a deployed parent, to the kind hospitality of the University of Georgia football program, a community came together to provide 15 children with an experience they will never forget and draw valuable life-lessons from.

To learn more about Operation Teammate and how you can get involved visit the Operation Teammate website today!

By Joe Marino; Fanrag Sports

https://www.fanragsports.com/cares/operation-teammate-georgia-football-provide-unforgettable-experience-military-children-deployed-parent-edited/