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Oct. 28, 2009
The IUP athletic department will honor all military veterans during its home football game versus Gannon Saturday at Miller Stadium. Kickoff is at 1 p.m., and all veterans will be admitted free. As part of the day's ceremonies, Alfonse "Buff" Fanella and Jeremy Feldbusch will participate in the coin toss. Fanella, a four-year starter on the IUP football team in the 1940s, served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II and participated in the Battle of Iwo Jima. He was a member of the 3rd Marine Division that was preparing for the invasion of Japan when the war ended. Fanella enlisted in 1943 and went through boot camp at Parris Island in South Carolina and spent one year in Drill Instructor school. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of corporal. Fanella was one of only two freshmen starters on the 1941 football team and returned to school after his military service to earn his degree. Feldbusch was injured while serving with the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment in Iraq. A native of Blairsville, he took shrapnel in the eye while his unit was protecting the Haditha Dam and was blinded. He is a spokesman for the Wounded Warrior Project and is tireless fundraiser for injured soldiers. The Wounded Warrior Project provides comfort and support to severely injured service members as they recover and transition into civilian life. |
