Letter from Iraq

My name is Specialist Matthew Litzenberger. My father (Karl Litzenberger) and I have been life-long Buccaneers fans and season ticket holders (Section 133 ROW Y Seats 19 and 20). My father took me to my first Bucs game when I was 5 years old, taught me the game of football, and I was a diehard Buccaneer ever since.

Our love of the Bucs even when they were losing team for many years helped reinforce lessons on perseverance and loyalty my father bestowed upon me. We would go to training camp together, and I was one of the few kids growing up to have Vinny Testerverde, Reggie Cobb, Eric Rhett jerseys. I have pictures as a boy with Sam Wyche and Hardy Nickerson.

Up until this current season I had missed only seven Buccaneer home games in 20 years. Even through college I would drive 2-1/2 hours from the University of Florida to root for the Bucs with my father. The Bucs were a building block for my great relationship with my dad. We even culminated a Bucs fans dream by traveling to San Diego and watching the Bucs win the Super bowl.

I am currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Iskan, Iraq with 3/7 IN BN. I will be watching and rooting passionately for the Bucs on the Armed Forces Network. My father, family, and I have had a catchphrase we say right before kickoff of every Bucs game for good luck. We say “Hit them in the mouth.”

Unfortunately due to my deployment I have missed as many home games this season than I have in 20 years prior. ... While I can’t be there with my father to watch the Bucs beat the Giants, I am there in spirit, and thanks for all that he has done for me. ... I just wanted to let everyone at the Buccaneers organization know that not only have you been part of my life growing up, but even in a war zone the Bucs bring me happiness and help keep me going over here through the challenges I face. ... Thank you for your time. B-U-C-C-A-N-E-E-R-S ... GO BUCS!

“Hit Them in The Mouth” this Sunday,

SPC Matthew Litzenberger
3-7 IN BN
FOB Iskan

(Click photos to enlarge.)

Comments

[L Man]

What a great letter Matthew!

I'm sure I'm not the only person who will thank you for your service to our country. I hope you know how much your sacrifice means to all of us.

We're all thinking about and praying for you and all your comrades, as well as all your families.

Thank you and GO BUCS!

[Stu Laake]

Thank you for serving your country! What an emotional letter very inspiring...GO BUCS!

[Mike]

Matthew,

Thank you for protecting our freedom and for the sacrifices that you make each day. My son is about to graduate from Marine Boot Camp next week. We are proud of all our troops! Go Bucs! We will "Hit em in the mouth!"

[Ricky]

hope they still have a fly-over and a giant American flag to commerate the troops still overseas.

[Dave Fig]

Stu! Hope you're doing well. Say hello to your sister for me. I'll be watching in freezing Denver!

Go Bucs!! :)

[Turk]

Matthew while we are watching the game against the Giants tomorrow we think of star players like Garcia, Barber, Galloway, Brooks and Graham and they become our heroes. Many of these guys do a lot of good in the community and lead exemlary lives and with their heroics on the playing field it's understandable that we do place them in such esteem. I want you to know that YOU, sir are the true hero not only to people like me but also to these gridiron stars I just mentioned. We ALL thank you and owe you for your love and sacrifice to our country. God bless you and keep you safe. And may you come back home soon and take a seat by your Dad watching your beloved Bucs.

[Rick]

Man, your dad must be one of the best guys in this country, he should be proud on the young man he raised. This letter by SPC Matthew should be posted in every news paper in the country. God bless you Son ! Your are the Champion.
Go M-A-T-T-H-E-W !!
Hit em in mouth the over there, you are all in our prayers.

[Nick Perkins]

Wow what an emotional letter. My dad took me to see the Bucs when I was 13 back when Steve Spurrier was the quarterback and I have been hooked ever since. He has now passed on and although its not always easy to be a Buc fan but once you are you never turn back. Alot of Buc fans have been through the tough times. Time's like these make you proud and I hope Jon Gruden see's this and reads it to the players before the game!!! If this won't motivate them a little more then nothing will!!!!!

GO BUCS!!!!!!

[Al]

Matthew,
As someone who attended my first game with my dad in 1979 when I was 3 your letter was extremely meaningful on the eve of the game. I have not missed a game since the Detroit game in '93 and much like you am so thankful for all the wonderful times dad and I have spent at the games. You will be thought of by many of us at the game tomorrow and especially those of us in Section 123, Row X. I hope to meet your father tomorrow and give him my best. God Bless you and Go Bucs.
Al

[Bill]

I kno those smokestacks newhere... I'm there too! hah take a drive up to Kelsey and you'll find me! go bucs, pz