Nov. 11, 2005
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (Friday, November 11, 2005) First Lieutenant Damon Bradford will honored at halftime of the Redhawks vs. Tennessee State football game tomorrow afternoon for his service while being deployed with his Tennessee Army National Guard unit in Iraq. Bradford is also a member of the Redhawks coaching staff as a defensive coordinator.
Bradford just recently returned from his active Army tour of duty in Iraq where he served as the Executive Officer of the 278 Armored Cavalry Regiment.
"We're real excited to have him back in the program," said Head Coach Tim Billings said."I know he can't wait to get back to work and we can't wait either."
He reported to active duty on June 20, 2004 and has spent his entire deployment in Baghdad, Iraq. His regiment is was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division, one the top active duty and time-honored divisions in the US military, and is the only unit out of the Tennessee National Guard that has been attached and assigned to an active duty unit.
Among his duties while serving included conducting combat operations throughout the city where his unit dealt with direct and indirect fire, improvised exploding devices (IED's) and vehicle born exploding devices (VBIED's). Among the awards and honors he has received during his deployment is the prestigious Combat Action Badge for his actions and heroism in combat.
"I'm glad he's back and he's safe," said linebacker Tunde Agboke. "He served his country and did something that alot of us take for granted and for that I'm proud of him and proud to say that he's one of my coaches."
Lt. Bradford is a veteran of the Army and the National Guard of 16 years. A former enlisted soldier after receiving his rank of Staff Sergeant he took a direct commission in 2002 to become a Cavalry Officer.
Bradford joined the Southeast coaching staff during the 2004 spring football season. Before joining the Southeast staff he was the linebackers coach at Tennessee Tech. In 2004 he was inducted into the Lambuth University Athletic Hall of Fame were he starred from 1987-1990.
The native of Mercer, Tennessee, Bradford has a wife, Kathryn who currently lives in Algood, Tennessee.
Tomorrow's game is also Military Appreciation Day as all military personel and their families will be admitted free into the game with their military ID. Kick-off is set for 1:00 p.m. in Houck Stadium.
