Armed forces athletes featured on Commemorative Cheerios Box

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Armed forces athletes featured on Commemorative Cheerios Box
Submitted by: Headquarters Marine Corps
Story Identification Number: 200381584650
Story by Armed Forces Sports



ALEXANDRIA, Va.(Aug. 13, 2003) -- The Armed Forces Sports Office with corporate partner General Mills announced today that the Armed Forces Sports program and five Armed Forces athletes will be honored on a 2003 commemorative Cheerios Box this fall. While quantities last, the special boxes will be sold exclusively in military commissaries worldwide starting August 28, 2003.

The boxes will feature a star athlete from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard, recognizing their accomplishments as both military members and Armed Forces athletes.

"This box is an exciting partnership for the Armed Forces Sports program," said Suba Saty, Armed Forces Sports Secretariat, "the box recognizes more than the five athletes on the box - it recognizes the accomplishment of all Armed Forces athletes!"

The concept of an Armed Forces Sports commemorative box started in 1997, when the Armed Forces Sports Program worked with General Mills to feature the Armed Forces Naval Pentathlon Team on a Team Cheerios box, but the project never was completed.

"One of my main goals it to bring visibility to the Armed Forces Sports Program and the accomplishments of our athletes, "said Rob Hansgen, Armed Forces Sports. "The release of the box was supposed to coincide with a delegation of approximately 150 athletes preparing to compete in the 3rd Military World Games, but due to administrative and planning purposes the games were cancelled for the September timeframe." Hansgen added.

The box will feature:

Marine First Sergeant, Douglas Marocco a Senior Enlisted Advisor at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Va. In addition to his many military duties, Marocco is one of the Armed Forces' top triathletes competing in national and international championships throughout the year. Marocco is a former Armed Forces and two-time Marine Corps Athlete of the Year.

Navy Lieutenant Junior Grade Henry Nuzum, is a Tomahawk Missile Officer and recently served aboard the USS John S. McCain. Nuzum, who competed in the 2000 Olympic Games in the sport of rowing, is now assigned to Navy Recruiting in Philadelphia, Pa. and is focused on making the 2004 Olympic team.

Air Force Second Lieutenant Kristy Kuhlman is a Contracting Officer at the Space and Missile Command at Los Angeles, AFB, Calif. Kuhlman is a 2001 graduate of the Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. and currently holds numerous Academy Women's Soccer records. She was named most valuable player at the 2002 World Military Women's Soccer Championship and is the 2002 reigning Female Athlete of the Year for the Air Force.

Coast Guard Aviation Maintenance Technician Steven Mlujeak stationed at the Coast Guard Air Station in Detroit, Mich. In his off duty time, Mlujeak is one of the Armed Force's top cyclists, placing first among military competitors in the 2000 Olympic trials. He currently is training for the 2004 Olympic trials.

Army Sergeant Dremiel Byers, a member of the U.S. Army World Class Athlete Program in Colorado Springs, Colo. and a supply specialist. Byers was crowned the 2002 Greco Roman Wrestling champion (264lbs.) and won the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix. Byers was named the 2002 Male Athlete of the Year for the Army and is now training to make the 2004 Olympic team.

When questioned about her appearance on the Armed Forces Box, Kuhlman said, "Appearing on the Armed Forces commemorative Cheerios box is going to be a very surreal experience for me. It is a tremendous honor and blessing to be able to represent the Air Force in the General Mills tribute to Armed Forces athletes. I am grateful for the support the military gives its athletes and the opportunity to compete in Armed Forces, national, and international competitions."

"The men and women that participate in the Armed Forces Sports program, while still maintaining a full time military career should be an inspiration to us all, " said Mike Goetzmann, Senior Development Manager for General Mills. "Their enthusiasm, perseverance, and dedication are qualities that General Mills is proud to be associated with."

The featured athletes will make appearances in their "hometown" or nearest commissary to sign autographs and talk to shoppers. Los Angeles Air Force Base commissary is scheduling soccer star Kristy Kuhlman's appearance on Sept. 6 to coincide with the kick off of Defense Commissary Agency's third annual "Worldwide Case Lot Sale." According to Store Director Art Wescott, "this will really generate a lot of excitement. We're thrilled to have a local military athlete on a cereal box featured in the commissary."

For more information on the Armed Forces Sports program log onto www.armedforcessports.com. Corporate Sponsorship does not express or imply Department of Defense endorsement.



1st Sgt. Douglas W. Marocco is one of five Armed Forces athletes who will be honored on a 2003 commemorative Cheerios Box this fall. While quantities last, the special boxes will be sold exclusively in military commissaries worldwide starting August 28, 2003. Marocco is a Senior Enlisted Advisor at The Basic School, Quantico, Va. He is one of the Armed Forces' top triathletes competing in national and international championships throughout the year. Marocco is a former Armed Forces and two-time Marine Corps Athlete of the Year.
Photo by: Official Marine corps photo




1st Sgt. Douglas W. Marocco is one of five Armed Forces athletes who will be honored on a 2003 commemorative Cheerios Box this fall. While quantities last, the special boxes will be sold exclusively in military commissaries worldwide starting August 28, 2003. Marocco is a Senior Enlisted Advisor at The Basic School, Quantico, Va. He is one of the Armed Forces' top triathletes competing in national and international championships throughout the year. Marocco is a former Armed Forces and two-time Marine Corps Athlete of the Year.
Photo by: Official Marine Corps photo


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