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Air and Army Go Head to Head in Basketball Game to Entertain Families

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Jeremy J. McClure
  • 185th ARW Public Affairs
SIOUX CITY, IA --  It was not a national championship but members of the Army National Guard's 113th Cavalry Regiment and the Air National Guard's 185th Air Refueling Wing played like it was when they squared off in basketball for the Inaugural Sioux City Boys Club Hero's Game on March 28, 2014 in Sioux City, IA.

"These guys are the boys' heroes and now they are playing a game for them," said Sarah Petersen, Marketing and Development Director for the Sioux City Boys Club and spouse of an Army National Guardsmen.

The free game, which included a free dinner and refreshments, was the main event after a week of events to celebrate 75 years of the Boys Club in Sioux City.

The Guardsmen played the game in the Boys Club gym which is housed in a 104 year-old armory that used to be the home of the 113th Cavalry.

"The club took over the armory when the unit deployed to Vietnam," said Petersen. When the unit returned, they moved to their current location next door to the Air Guard at the Sioux City Airport.

The Boys Club of Sioux City works with over 700 boys in the community by giving them a place to get assistance with homework, learn sports and other activities, and just have fun, explained Petersen.

"I played in the Boys Club basketball league in high school," said Air Guard Staff Sgt. Nick Hamstra. "(The Event) is awesome because it also recognizes the local guy in the community who is in the military."

The Guardsmen, who played the game in their off-duty time, enjoyed challenging each on the court.

"This is good thing to show community support and to do more with the Air Guard," said Army Guard Staff Sgt. Mitch Hall.

The Guardsmen put on a great show for a packed house with the Air Guard besting the Army Guard 68 to 59.