Home Field Advantage

Russ Laney

Hall Of Fame Coach Fisher Deberry to Receive the Sijan Service Award During Celebration of Service

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Former Air Force Academy football coach and Hall of Fame inductee Fisher DeBerry will receive the Sijan Service Award during Home Field Advantages’ 6th Annual Celebration of Service, honoring frontline forces during the Air Force vs. Army weekend Nov. 2-4, 2023.

Home Field Advantage organizes Celebration of Service to help the community reflect on one’s personal commitment to service, while saluting the front line forces (law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical responders, military) that protect the nation and acknowledge those supporting our youth.

The Sijan Service Award is one of the weekend’s highlights, honoring the legacy of Captain Lance P. Sijan, the only Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. Coach DeBerry will receive his award on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023 at the Celebration of Service Dinner at the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame. The award will be presented by Captain Sijan’s sister, Janine. To purchase tickets, visit www.homefieldadvantage.team. For more information, contact Russ Laney at teamprinciples14@gmail.com.

Coach DeBerry led the Air Force Falcons football team from 1984 to 2006, compiling a record of 169-109-1. He led the team to winning records in 17 to 23 seasons, including 12 bowl game bids and three Western Athletic Conference titles. He was named national Coach of the Year in 1985 after a 12-1 record and year-end top ranking of #5 in the Coaches Poll. He was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2011.

Other awards presented during the event will include the DeBerry Award for Support of Youth to Angels of American Fallen and the DeBerry Award for Support of Front Line Forces to Operation TBI Freedom.

Other events during the weekend will include the Resilience and Wellness Summit: Courage, Compassion and Connection on Friday, Nov. 3 at the Antlers Hotel in downtown Colorado Springs and the Air Force vs. Army football game on Saturday, Nov. 4 at Empower Field in Denver.

General Mark Welsh to Receive the Sijan Service Award During Celebration of Service

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General Mark Welsh will receive the Sijan Service Award during Home Field Advantages’ 5th Annual Celebration of Service, honoring frontline forces during the Air Force vs. Navy weekend September 29 – October 1, 2022.

Home Field Advantage organizes Celebration of Service to help the community reflect on one’s personal commitment to service, while saluting the front line forces (law enforcement, firefighters, emergency medical responders, military) that protect the nation.

The Sijan Service Award is one of the weekend’s highlights, honoring the legacy of Captain Lance P. Sijan, the only Air Force Academy graduate to receive the Medal of Honor. General Welsh will receive his award on Thursday, Sept. 29, 2022 at the Celebration of Service Dinner at the Colorado Springs Marriott. The award will be presented by Captain Sijan’s sister, Janine. To purchase tickets, visit www.COS2022eventbrite.com. For more information, contact Russ Laney at teamprinciples14@gmail.com.

General Welsh is the Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M, was the 20th Chief of Staff of the Air Force, and a 1976 graduate of USAFA.

Mayor John Suthers and the City of Colorado Springs will be honored with the DeBerry Awards for their support of Youth and Front Line Forces.

Other events during the weekend will include a Leadership Forum on Sept. 30. The Leadership Forum is titled Aligning Head, Heart and Hands to Better Serve Others and will be hosted at the Colorado Springs Marriott Pavilion. The Forum moderator, Dr Kevin Basik, is currently the Chief of Leadership Programs for the National Medal of Honor Institute. He is sure to lead a meaningful exchange! There is no charge for the Forum, but registration is required. To register, visit COSForum22.eventbrite.com.

Also on Sept. 30 those interested can take part in a Community Service Project and enjoy the Celebration of Service Social from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at iFLY Colorado Springs at Polaris Pointe, where there will be a concert and indoor skydiving exhibitions.