Dec. 1, 2006
Coach Steve Alford’s Iowa Hawkeyes will be looking for win No. 20 in a row tonight inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena when they square off against Texas Pan American in the second of two games to be played in first round action of the 2006 Hawkeye Challenge.
Tickets are available for tonight’s games and tomorrow’s consolation and championship events and can be purchased online by clicking HERE, by calling 1-800 IA-HAWKS or at the UI Athletic Ticket Office in Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Action gets underway at 5:30 p.m. each night.
Benjamin Tvedte will be among thefans in attendance as a result of Ben being selected as the “Hero Among Us” program after being nominated by his father, Tracy. The program is an initiative of Alford and the Iowa Hawkeyes and an effort to recognize the neighbors, co-workers and friends among us that are doing extraordinary things.
Click HERE to learn more about the program and how to nominate someone you think is doing extraordinary things for your school, your church or your community.
December 1, 2006
Iowa-Texas-Pan American
Nominator: Tracy Tvedte
Hero: Benjamin Tvedte
I am very proud of the man I call my son…Benjamin Tvedte is my son. He grew up in Iowa City and graduated from West High School in 2000. At West he participated in football, basketball, and soccer. Math was his favorite class in school. Ben was a very sociable person and made friends easily. He has always been a Hawkeye fan!
After graduation Ben joined the Army. He traveled to Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training. The letters he sent home during the training told of his inner struggle with being lonely, his thoughts of home, and the rigors of the physical training. He always seemed upbeat and looked forward to finishing and moving on.
After basic training he was assigned to the 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He excelled with his training at Fort Sill and was soon promoted to Sergeant. Shortly afterward, his company was deployed to Iraq, where they were stationed at a town called Balad. The Army called it Camp Anaconda. Security was very tight and my only contact was through e-mails every few days.
Ben was given the job of running a 50-caliber machine gun, mounted on a Hummer. He was part of a group that patrolled a section near Baghdad. For his bravery in action Ben was twice awarded the Army Commendation Medal (with Valor). At the time, I learned the true nature of my son – a man of courage, a man of honor.
Ben lives in Iowa City now. He attends the University of Iowa. He goes to school full-time and works part-time at a local eye clinic. He came home like many others – a changed man. He has dealt with post-war stress, and trying to fit back into society. He does not talk much about what happened in Iraq, just that it changed him.
Ben is not alone. Hundreds of other Iowa families sent their sons and daughters off to war. I do not know these soldiers, but feel for them, and the families they left behind. My son is not unique; many have put their lives on the line. Some never came home. Ben would be a little upset with me for nominating him – he does not seek attention for what he did. I would be upset with myself for not offering his story. Ben is, and always will be, my Hawkeye Hero!
I am very proud of the man I call my son
Tracy D. Tvedte