Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl

R U Ready 4 some football?

Plenty of your friends and neighbors were, as well as other supporters of the Air Force Academy Falcons and the Houston Cougars. Some 44,000 tickets were sold to this event played here on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve this past December, and known as the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Mother Nature did Fort Worth Proud - The weather was perfect for football.

There were many local Military troops from NAS/JRB, Fort Hood, and surrounding areas who came to cheer their military brothers on, and even some souls from down south in Houston who showed a bit of favoritism for the cougars.

Prior to the game there was a major military display by all branches, with more than 50 booths set up like an “Adventure Land” to be enjoyed by kids and adults alike. Many displays consisted of actual military hardware and aircraft. Even real buzzing helicopters overhead. But they took a side seat when the fly-over arrived consisting of F-16’s and a B-52, which totally captured the crowds attention.

The event began with the game ball delivered by a team of Army paratroopers, who dropped from the sky. This was followed by the coin toss by Gen David Petraeus, who at halftime was presented the “Great American Patriot Award.”

It was a tightly fought and exciting game, with the Academy coming out on the short end of a 34 to 28 score.

While the significant sponsor is Bell Helicopter, there are a number of additional sponsors including Lockheed Martin, several military branches, and others, they were also newly joined by Hawk Electronics, who’s CEO, Kip Hyde,  is a Director of the Fort Worth Air Power Council. In addition there were many FWAPCouncil members in attendance this year helping to cheer on those Falcons.

Note attached photos of the “Game ball Air Delivery,” a young girl who’s sign rings so true for FWAPC members and others, General Petraeus being presented his award, an action shot of the game,  Bell Helicopter CEO Richard Millman presenting the Armed Forces Bowl trophy to winning Houston coach Kevin Sumlin, and finally our own FWAPC members Walter Hess, Mike Snyder, Chairman of the FWAPFoundation,a s well as Don Shelton, former Chairman of both the FWAPCouncil and Foundation, speaking with Bell Helicopter CEO, Richard Millman. And by the way, that’s  Mike’s lovely daughter, as well as Don’s Granddaughter, Madi Snyder joining them

Keep in mind for next year that the FWAPC will again be a major participant in this event, and your support of this game may help assure that it stays right here in Fort Worth for a long time.

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