Air Force general kicks off Texans, Redskins battle

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Ben Gonzales
  • Air Force Print News
HOUSTON (AFPN) --  The deputy director for the war on terrorism kicked off the battle between the NFL's Houston Texans and Washington Redskins by tossing the coin at Reliant Stadium Sept. 24.

Brig. Gen. Mark O. Schissler, who works in the Joint Staff Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate in Washington, D.C., represented American servicemembers as he helped start the football clash, which the Redskins won 31 to 15.

The general, with members from each military branch, were recognized during the Houston Texans' Salute to the Military day.

In addition to the coin toss, a joint service color guard presented the colors. Army Staff Sgt. Santantoniano Smith from the Houston Recruiting Battalion sang the national anthem as 200 Soldiers, Coast Guardsmen, Sailors, Marines and Airmen presented the American flag -- the size of the football field. At halftime the Marine Corps Silent Drill Team performed in front of the more than 70,000 fans. 

The game was a homecoming for General Schissler, a Houston native. A 1974 graduate of St. Thomas High School in Houston, he then graduated from the University of St. Thomas. The general taught high school at Houston's Memorial High School prior to joining the Air Force in 1981.

"It is a huge honor for me to represent all the military members including the 200,000 deployed around the world in harsh and hazardous areas," General Schissler said. "As we kick off (the football game) they'll endure hard times to protect our freedom." 

Providing advice to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the general is responsible for developing the U.S. military and national strategies related to the war on terrorism.

"We are not in a classic fight like we have had in the past," said the general. "We have been fighting the war on terrorism longer than our involvement in World War II. We have to change our tactics to plan to win this long war. Our enemy is committed for the long haul and we have to be prepared to do the same. We will."

The general took time to meet servicemembers at the game and talk to people in the crowd. 

"After 9/11, Americans have a new fondness for our flag not seen in the last 40 years or so," said General Schissler. "I'm happy to return to Houston where the military are not well known to let Americans see our great men and women in uniform live and in the stadium. That is a great way for them to connect to what we do.

"We need the support of every American in what we're doing and what we're going to do in the future," the general said. "We're so grateful to the franchise for giving us this kind of opportunity and really delivering this kind of honor to our military."