Staff sargeant Paul Sweeney's sacrifice
on the battlefield will be honored at Western Wayne's football field.
Senior football player Billy Gillette
said, "You play football, you're part of a team, we understand that here.
He's a veteran, he sacrificed himself for the country, that's basically teamwork."
Gillette never knew Paul Sweeny.
Most of his teammates didn't either, but Friday's
game is dedicated to the fallen soldier.
Sweeney died fighting with army special
forces in Afghanistan in 2003.
His wife graduated from Western Wayne, but he went to Wallenpaupak high school
in the late 80's.
That doesn't make much difference to
students here.
Junior Chris Chapman said, "No, not
at all, as long as he did what he did for my country I care just the
same."
Shortly after Sweeny's death, American Legion
Post 807 in Hamlin renamed it's post, "Sweeny Memorial 807".
Before Friday's game, the football and
soccer teams will join post 807 in a dedication ceremony for Sweeny's family,
including his two boys.
American Legion Post 807 member Manny Mirailh
said, "Maybe he'll realize that there are still those who will not forget,
who will continue to exemplify the integrity and the initiative of those who
proudly serve this nation in uniform."
Sweeny died after his group was ambushed
in Afghanistan, six years ago to the day.
Chapman said, "There's many other
men like him, men and women just like him who give their life and we need to be
more appreciative instead of just living our lives and not thinking about
it."
Friday nights game is expected to be a
tough one for Western
Wayne high
school, but Gillette says the team has added inspiration.
"We're pretty pumped, it's a big
game and this just one more thing to push us over the edge to hopefully beat Lakeland," said Gillette.