Feb 1, 2007 11:42 pm US/Central
Good Samaritans Send Local War Hero To Super Bowl
by Suzanne Le Mignot
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The kindness of strangers gave a terrific surprise to a severely injured Iraq war hero: He�s going to the Super Bowl.
CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports the good Samaritans were honored Thursday by Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn.
A season ticket holder and American Airlines were given "Homefront Hero Awards" by Quinn for their kind deeds that made a war veteran's dream come true.
"You just feel like you have to scream,� said Sgt. Bryan Anderson, describing how he felt when learning perfect strangers were sending him to the Super Bowl.
The lifelong Bears fan says he can't wait to see kicker Robbie Gould in action.
"That just means a lot to me to be able to see him play, you know, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity,� Anderson said.
The Rolling Meadows native received a hero's welcome when returning home from Iraq in 2006. The 24-year-old soldier lost both of his legs and his left hand when his humvee was hit by an explosive.
"I didn't lose them there, you know, I gave them, you know, for the country,� Anderson said.
Brad Buell of Libertyville honored Anderson�s service by giving him his own Super Bowl tickets.
"We just wanted to do it to make sure somebody like Bryan, and these people are recognized, these brave men and women,� Buell said.
A person who knows what winning a Super Bowl is all about is '85 Bears defensive lineman, Steve McMichael. McMichael was there when Sgt. Anderson received his tickets.
"These guys are the superstars, that's reality. That's the real world. I played the game,� McMichael said.
Sgt. Anderson will get to Miami to see the game thanks to American Airlines. He used to work for the air carrier. American is not only flying him to the Super Bowl, but also his twin brother -- first class.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
