'Dogs pay tribute to veterans at Pearl Harbor

HONOLULU – The Fresno State football team had the once in a lifetime opportunity to observe Veterans Weekend at Pearl Harbor before Saturday's game against Hawai'i.

The Bulldog football spent Friday afternoon immersed in U.S. history, to gain a clearer understanding of what truly happened on the day of the Pearl Harbor attacks and sacrifices that veterans make to keep the country safe. The players walked through the memorial that honors the soldiers that lost their lives in the attack, a lot of soldiers that were the same age as them.

"It was great to be able to come here and educate the players about such a historical event in history, especially with tomorrow being Veterans Day," head coach Jeff Tedford said. "It was important for the team to honor our veterans this way, visiting the USS Arizona Memorial was an eye-opening experience for a lot of them."

The 75-minute program began with a film and finish with a boat ride to the USS Arizona Memorial.

"It was a surreal experience, the film at the beginning of the tour really put us in the mindset of that time in history," said junior offensive lineman Micah St. Andrew. "It gave all of us such a better understanding of this important moment in history, and really allowed us to honor our veterans. When the park ranger told us that the average age of the soldiers on the ship was 18, I was shocked. I couldn't wrap my head around the fact that these soldiers where younger than me. It not only humbled me, but it gave me more knowledge to appreciate and honor those soldiers even more."

Park rangers escorted the team through the USS Arizona, informing them of all the events of that day and answering any questions that the players had during their experience.

"It was humbling to learn that a lot of the soldiers that sacrificed their lives were around the same age as me or younger," said junior tight end Kyle Riddering. "Throughout the tour I tried to put myself in their shoes. It made me realize what an honor it truly is to live in this country."

The Pearl Harbor experience hit close to home for junior linebacker Trent Soechting, whose grandfather was a World War II veteran. "Having a grandfather who fought for this country made this experience very near and dear to my heart. I know that his name could have very well been on that wall and knowing that so many families lost their loved ones made this experience really have an effect on me. Looking at the soldiers' names on the wall was very surreal. It makes you thankful for the men and women who put their lives on the line for our country, it makes you thankful for the life that you live and it makes you thankful for the opportunity that we have to play college football in this country."

Coach Tedford expressed that the players weren't the only ones who took something away from the trip to Pearl Harbor. "I've been here before but let me tell you, every time you visit and watch that video it is a truly humbling experience. You appreciate all the sacrifices that were made for this country. It is not something you think about all the time, so this gave us the opportunity to reflect and honor these heroes."

This was an experience that the Bulldog football team will cherish when they look back on this day years from now.

Fresno State will face Hawai'i in Aloha Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 11 at 8 p.m. PT.

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Fresno State Athletics

'Dogs pay tribute to veterans at Pearl Harbor

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Kyle Riddering

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