The Armed Forces Appreciation Game between Arizona St. and UCLA on Veterans day, Saturday, November 11th had a special resonance; due to the controversy swirling around the NFL and the protest surrounding the National Anthem.
As 250 members of the Marching Band and JROTC Cadets unfurled the American flag proudly across the lush Rose Bowl field during a halftime celebration- none of the divisiveness which seems to be dominating professional sports was seen- patriotism and unity were on full display.
The UCLA marching played military themes set, Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless The U.S.A.’ was blaring from the speakers. The fireworks were majestic overlooking the San Gabriel mountains.
“Standing there in the middle of a crowded stadium was amazing. I can’t even describe the feeling. Listening to everyone cheer and watching the American Flag on the field, it feels good that they took the time to honor veterans who have served. It was not just me, it was about all of the veterans in the audience that day,” exclaimed Army Captain Rebecca Murga.
Murga was selected as UCLA’s Veteran of 2017. The Writer and Director served as a U.S. Army captain and public affairs officer and was deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
Murga, now a filmmaker, was awarded a Bronze Star for her work with the Special Operations Command in Afghanistan and the Meritorious Service Medal for her service in Iraq.
This Renaissance woman Rebecca recently was selected for the 2016-2018 Disney / ABC Directing Program. The two-year professional directing program, which spans two television seasons based upon ABCās production calendar, recruits experienced directors on the cusp of making the transition into episodic directing.
“Currently in the ABC Directing Program. They accepted 10 directors every two years. I spent the last year shadowing amazing directors on shows like GREYS ANATOMY and AGENTS OF SHIELD. Right now working on writing a television pilot” said Murga.
And how was she chosen for such an honor? A fellow veteran Kyle Hausmann Stokes submitted my name and the work I had done with veterans this year, and UCLA selected me. A very modest response that could only come from the mouth of a soldier.
Every active member of the Armed Forces was given a free ticket to the exciting game between the Sun Devils and the Bruins. The Bruins won a thrilling, high scoring affair,44-37, to go to .500 at a mark of 5-5 before the Showdown at USC this weekend adds another chapter to the storied rivalry.
Quarterback Josh Rosen was magnificent, once again throwing for over 300 yards in the victory. Enjoy Rosen, because these next two to three games will likely be his last in a Bruins jersey. The Junior is having his best season and is projected to go NO. 2 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft.
This night was about the sacrifice of the men and women protecting our nation.
When asked about NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem, she offered this prosaic answer.
“It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.
It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.
It is the soldier, not the organizer, who gave us the freedom to demonstrate.
It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.ā – Unknown
