Game 39 – The Browns Make Warrior Wishes Come True!
After a crazy week of making Warrior Wishes come true in California and Chicago at 6 events in 7 days…
My dad made his way back home to spend a day watching the grandkids and planning out week 11. This week we will be making wishes come true at the Browns, Dolphins & Rams games.
We were up before the sun Thursday morning as I dropped my dad off at the train station to catch a train downtown Chicago to catch his 8am $1 megabus bus ride to Cleveland.
Throughout the years we have made some unforgettable memories in Cleveland. Some of our favorites include touring the Rock n Roll hall of fame, hosting a WWII veteran at the World Series and watching the Browns win their fist game in nearly 2 years last season. My dad said that was one of the most fun games he had ever been to! And that’s saying a lot!
Here are some other amazing memories of making wishes come true in Cleveland.
My dad’s bus arrived in “The Land” just after 3pm. Upon arrival he made his way over to the Burnham Restaurant to meet the warriors for a delicious pregame meal.
The Burnham Restaurant is your bridge to Cleveland’s community designed in the spirit of Daniel Burnham. Burnham was an American architect and urban planner whose impact on the American city was substantial. He was instrumental in the development of the skyscraper. Located In the heart of downtown Cleveland, the Burnham features sustainable conscious cuisine steeped in their Mid-West traditions. Make sure to stop by for lunch or dinner next time you’re in town! We cannot thank them enough for hosting us for a delicious pregame meal!
Today we had the honor of hosting Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Sweet, Army Medic Samuel Johnson, Army Sgt Brandon Klopfenstein and Marine Cpl Anthony Martinez at the Browns game thanks to the Pro Football HOF, Adrian Allison and the Cleveland Browns! We appreciate all of their support!
Air Force Master Sgt Christopher Sweet faithfully served our country for 22 years! Remarkably 9 of those years her served as a military widower. His late wife TSgt Jessica R. Sweet served almost 12 years before she was diagnosed with leukemia and passed away at the young age of 30. Chris, with the help of his parents and Jessica’s parents, did his best to be both Mom and Dad to their children all while continuing to give everything he could to his job.
Master Sgt. Sweet later remarried another military widow. Danielle Balmer lost her husband in 2007. Air Force Office of Special Investigations Special Agent Ryan A. Balmer made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in Iraq.
Danielle nominated Chris for this experience because he is a “HUGE die hard Cleveland sports fan since he was a little boy.” And “He is the greatest husband, father, and all person that you could ever meet.
55 year old Army Combat Medic Samuel Johnson Jr joined the Army in 1984. Samuel recieved extensive training as a combat medic before heading overseas to Hanau, Germany where he served with the 23rd Engineering Battalion until 1986. He ultimately served until 1988 before he was honorably discharged.
Sgt Brandon Klopfenstein served 6 years in the Army National Guard before being medically discharged. Brandon is a die hard Cleveland sports fan and has been a captain at our annual golf outing!
Cpl Anthony Martinez enlisted into the Marine corps in 2015. He is currently an infantrymen in 1st battalion 2nd Marines. Cpl Martinez has served on deployments to Jordan in 2016 and Afghanistan in 2017. After his deployment to Afghanistan he had to get back surgery and then had complications with the first one which led to a bacteria infection in his spinal canal. After his second surgery He was not able to move my right leg which led Cpl Martinez to learn how to walk again to this day.
It was an honor to host this group of warriors in Cleveland!
After a delicious meal, the warriors made their way across the street to First Energy stadium to watch the Steelers & Browns kick things off.
It was a must win game for both the Steelers & Browns to have any chance at making this years playoffs. Both teams were off to disappointing starts to their season. But there is still hope!
The warriors enjoyed the game from great seats on the 50 yard line!
The browns wasted no time scoring a touchdown on their opening drive and added another before the half. Meanwhile Mason Rudolph & the Steelers struggled to do anything on offense.
The Steelers managed to score a touchdown in the second half to make it a one score game, but Rudolph tossed 3 interceptions in the 2nd half and the Browns went on to win the game 21-7.
The Browns win was overshadowed by an unfortunate fight that broke out late in the 4th quarter. After Myles Garrett sacked Rudolph all hell broke loose when Garrett ripped the helmet off Rudolph’s head and used it as a weapon to hit him in the head with it! It was the craziest thing we had ever seen! Needless to say, certain players will be fined & suspended for their actions.
Despite the madness, the warriors celebrated the Browns win!
We would like to thank Air Force Master Sgt. Christopher Sweet, Army Medic Samuel Johnson, Army Sgt Brandon Klopfenstein and Marine Cpl Anthony Martinez for their service and sacrifices!
My dad made his way back to the bus station after the game. He will be home for less than 24 hours before making his way to Miami for the Dolphins game on Sunday. Stay tuned…
