My name is Specialist Matthew Litzenberger. My father (Karl Litzenberger) and I have been life-long Buccaneers fans and season ticket holders (Section 133 ROW Y Seats 19 and 20). My father took me to my first Bucs game when I was 5 years old, taught me the game of football, and I was a diehard Buccaneer ever since.

Our love of the Bucs even when they were losing team for many years helped reinforce lessons on perseverance and loyalty my father bestowed upon me. We would go to training camp together, and I was one of the few kids growing up to have Vinny Testerverde, Reggie Cobb, Eric Rhett jerseys. I have pictures as a boy with Sam Wyche and Hardy Nickerson.

Up until this current season I had missed only seven Buccaneer home games in 20 years. Even through college I would drive 2-1/2 hours from the University of Florida to root for the Bucs with my father. The Bucs were a building block for my great relationship with my dad. We even culminated a Bucs fans dream by traveling to San Diego and watching the Bucs win the Super bowl.

I am currently deployed to Forward Operating Base Iskan, Iraq with 3/7 IN BN. I will be watching and rooting passionately for the Bucs on the Armed Forces Network. My father, family, and I have had a catchphrase we say right before kickoff of every Bucs game for good luck. We say “Hit them in the mouth.”

Unfortunately due to my deployment I have missed as many home games this season than I have in 20 years prior. ... While I can’t be there with my father to watch the Bucs beat the Giants, I am there in spirit, and thanks for all that he has done for me. ... I just wanted to let everyone at the Buccaneers organization know that not only have you been part of my life growing up, but even in a war zone the Bucs bring me happiness and help keep me going over here through the challenges I face. ... Thank you for your time. B-U-C-C-A-N-E-E-R-S ... GO BUCS!

“Hit Them in The Mouth” this Sunday,

SPC Matthew Litzenberger
3-7 IN BN
FOB Iskan

(Click photos to enlarge.)