Following Ohio State from the Front Lines of War

I have not written for a long time, due to the fact that I am sitting on the border of Pakistan wondering when I will be coming back to Buckeye Nation. Meanwhile, I stay up late on Saturday nights to see the Buckeyes play.

Imagine, if you can, being in the most remote area of the world, wondering every second if you will live to see the next. Then, while everyone else is back home getting prepped for another day at "The Shoe," my fellow soldiers and I are finishing our daily briefing. It's around 18:30 or for you civilians—6:30 at night on a Saturday. We go to our common area where AFN (Armed Forces Network) is preparing to broadcast Gameday.

Finally, all things around us seem to stop. We are each in our own perfect world, not worrying about our battlefield, but the war our teams are about to wage. Each game a small battle leading to the ultimate fight—the national championship.

I watch intently for anything I can about the Buckeyes and how well they are prepared for their next battle. I am excited, anxious, and nervous—all the same feelings I get when we go out and patrol for the enemy.

I realize that some may not like the comparison of war and football, but when you have been in my shoes and seen the things I have, then you would know that they aren't all that different. I know that, for me, being a Buckeye is of huge importance to who I am and why I fight. It's about more than a team—it's about a nation of people with one common interest, a Buckeye Nation.

I wish I could describe the feeling I get when I see the Scarlet and Grey run out onto the field and I know everyone from Cincinnati to Cleveland, and everywhere in between, is cheering as loud as they can. It's a feeling of euphoria that I call "Buckeyetopia." A place where the members of Buckeye Nation gather every Saturday to root for their favorite team.

Whether it's in a bar, a friend's house, with your family, or at the Mecca of college football, The Shoe, we are all hoping for the same thing—another Buckeye win!

I am not a professional writer, or even a college-educated man. I am just a US Army infantryman with a passion for the Buckeyes. I am writing this piece for a couple of reasons:

1. To let all the other Buckeye fans who feel the way I do know they are not alone.

2. To let everyone in Ohio and across Buckeye Nation know that, no matter where you are in the world on Saturday Oct. 25 at 8 p.m. Eastern, we will all be gathered together for the same common goal—for our Buckeyes to come into The Shoe and show Penn State and the rest of the football nation why we are The Best Damn Team In The Land.

God Bless the USA, and God Bless Buckeye Nation!

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