Dec. 31, 2003
If the FedEx package arrives as planned, the University of Iowa football team could pay a special salute to some very special fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
An Iowa Hawkeye flag that has flown over one of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein’s palaces in Iraq that has been occupied by U.S. Armed Forces since the downing the regime was to arrive in Tampa early on the morning of New Year’s Day.
Among the U.S. soldiers at the palace are several members of the Iowa National Guard — all of whom are fans of the Hawkeyes. They each signed the flag prior to sending it back home.
If the package arrives, it’s possible that the flag will be carried proudly onto the playing field at Raymond James Stadium when the 2003 Iowa Hawkeyes enter the playing field for their 10 a.m. Iowa time date with the Florida Gators in the 2004 Outback Bowl.