ABA Salutes Marine Sergeant Steeley, Others

Published on September 20, 2006 under American Basketball Association (ABA) News Release


The ABA received a very touching email from Stuart Margel, Washington DC - real people doing real things.

"Last week, while traveling to Chicago on business, I noticed a Marine sergeant traveling with a folded flag, but did not put two and two together. After we boarded our flight, I turned to the sergeant, who'd been invited to sit in First Class (across from me) and inquired if he was heading home. "No," he responded. Heading out I asked? "No, I'm escorting a solider home." Going to pick him up? "No. He is with me right now. He was killed in Iraq. I'm taking him home to his family."

The realization of what he had been asked to do hit me like a punch in the gut. It was an honor for him. He told me that, although he didn't know the solider, he had delivered the news of his passing to the soldier's family and felt as if he knew them after many conversations in so few days. I turned back to him, extended my hand and said, Thank You. Thank you for what you do so my family and I can do what we do. Upon landing in Chicago, the pilot stopped short of the game and made the following announcement over the intercom.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to note that we have had the honor of having Sergeant Steeley of the United States Marine Corps join us on this flight. He is escorting a fallen comrade back home to his family. I ask that you please remain in your seats when we open the forward door to allow Sergeant Steeley to deplane and receive his fellow soldier. We will then turn off the seat belt sign."

Without a sound, all went as requested. I noticed the sergeant saluting the casket as it was brought off the plane, and his action made me realize that I am proud to be an American.

So here's a public THANK YOU to our military men and women for what you do so that we can live the way we do. Signed: Stuart Margel, Washington DC.

The ABA Salutes you too Mr. Margel for your story. ABA Salute pays tribute to the men and women of our military and their families and helps with donations to worthy causes that benefit them. For more information, visit www.abasalute.com or email jennifer@abasalute.com or visit www.abalive.com.

Note: OurSports Central no longer actively covers the American Basketball Association (ABA) as a professional league due in part to its inability to publish and play a schedule and the transitory nature of many of its teams. For information on professional minor leagues, please see OSC's basketball section.

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American Basketball Association Stories from September 20, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.


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