Dear Coach Sabers,

My name is William Zaiser and I am currently the Command Sergeant Major of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) which is home stationed at Fort Bragg, NC.  Since January of this year we have been in Afghanistan.

 

I am a fan of City High Football.  I grew up in Iowa City and graduated from City High in 1980.  Both of my sisters and my son also graduated from City High.  I played football for Coach Brown as a 10th Grader and then for Coach Clyde Bean on the Varsity team.  Unfortunately due to my lack of athletic prowess during that period of my life I spent a lot of time on the bench.   Even though I was on the bench I feel being a part of the City High Football program had a lot to do with any success I enjoy today as a Soldier.

 

I want to congratulate you and your men on a great season.  I started following the Little Hawks on the internet during my first Combat Rotation in 2002.  I am now on my 5th Combat Rotation and now have become a true fan.  Most of my Soldiers that serve with me here in Afghanistan are well aware of my support for both City High and the Iowa Hawkeyes.  I often wake up Saturday mornings finding the guys have already checked the internet to get the City High score and game stats in order to share some insight with me.  I donÕt know for sure why they donÕt follow their own home high school teams but I am certain it has something to do with the enthusiasm I show for the Little Hawks. 

 

This was evident last May when one of the subordinate Special Operations Task Forces operating in the Helmund Province named one of the combat operations after the Little Hawks.  Operation LITTLE HAWK was an incredible success.  I will share details sometime in the future.

 

Next to phone calls with my family I think following the City High Football team on the internet is my biggest morale booster.

 

I havenÕt been to a City High game since I left high school but I will reach 30 years active service in about 18 months.  The Army will then retire me and I will have time to visit Iowa City and attend a game or two.

 

CoachÉ thanks for what you do and good luck in the playoffs.

 

De Oppresso Liber

 

William B Zaiser

Command Sergeant Major

CJSOTF-A/7th SFG(A)

Bagram, Afghanistan