The men and women at C co 96th Civil Affairs Bn, Fort Bragg want to honor Sammy Lugo (still at Walter Reed recovering from his injuries) by wearing the Ward 57 football jersey in their upcoming Turkey Bowl.

SGT Thomas Soto represented Operation Ward 57 in a big way at his latest Mixed Martial Arts cage fight on April 11, 2009.  His opponent, Angel Ortiz, confident from his last win by TKO entered the cage, running around as if he had already won the day.  Soto focused on maintaining his cool.  He said, "I could only hear my own voice say "Calm down and connect, hit 'em really, really hard."

After 2 minutes and 48 seconds, he won his MMA bought against opponent Angel Ortiz with a rear naked choke and submission.  Not only did he win representing wounded soldiers, but Soto entered the fight to the Temptations song, "Ball of Confusion (That's What the World is Today)" to honor Vietnam war era veterans.

Adding even more impact to his entrance, Soto was followed by his coach and entourage holding a NEW Operation Ward 57 banner with his nickname, "La Vaca Loca."  The 5 foot high banner features the intense new Cadecus (staff with wings and serpents) that represents the medical field today and is available for purchase on our long-sleeve shirts.  The banner was then lowered down the side of the cage as he was introduced.

Operation Ward 57 is a proud supporter of SGT Thomas Soto.  You can watch him AND HIS WIFE, Faviola Bame fight in the same place (for the first time ever) at the National Amateur Kickboxing Championship, Saturday April 25 in Washington DC!! amateurkickboxingfederation.org

Team Operation Ward 57

left to right:
Joseph Mouy
Thomas Soto
James Zamarripa
Claudia Smith
Isreal Felix
David Firth (not pictured)

2008 All-Army Combative Championships
Ft. Benning Georgia

• James Zamarripa
• Thomas Soto
• Claudia Smith
• David Firth

SGT Thomas Soto (left) takes 1st place at
Grappler's Quest North American Championship.

Under the gold, Soto wears his
Operation Ward 57 rash guard!

The USO Puget Sound Area (USOPSA) new Executive Director Don Leingang buys a jersey at the 9th Annual Army-Navy flag football game at Ft. Lewis.

Soto trains at the prestigious Yamasaki Academy and represents his fellow warriors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center by wearing the new medical snake design on a custom rashguard and shorts made for Operation Ward 57.

www.gladiatorfightclubtv.com

“WARD 57 PT DAY” on behalf of C co 96th Civil Affairs Bn.
The shirts were used in recognition of one of our own, SSG Sammy Lugo (B co 96th Civil Affairs who was wounded 3 July 2007).  I was Sammy’s Team Sgt and was wounded by an IED 2 days prior to SSG Lugo being wounded.

- Joey Roberts

Operation Ward 57 gives Joey Roberts a huge shout-out for organizing this day!!  We ask our supporters to join us in sending him "safe journey thoughts & prayers" as he deploys again.

Joey at a CrossFit event at Fort Bragg.

2007: Montréal Alouettes
He joined the Alouettes during the season and was transferred to fullback.

2006: Washington Redskins
He signed with the Washington Redskins, but did not play after tearing his ACL in a preseason game.

2005: Seattle Seahawks
He was on the Seahawks’ roster but didn’t play because of an injury.

2004: Seattle Seahawks
He played 16 games with the Seahawks, recording 15 yards on four carries while playing primarily on special teams.

2003: Seattle Seahawks
He signed with the Seattle Seahawks, playing in 16 games at running back and on special teams.

College

1999 - 2002: Stanford Cardinal (NCAA)
He concluded his college career seventh on Stanford's career rushing list with 2,039 yards.  He also ranked fourth with 23 career rushing touchdowns and seventh with 25 career touchdowns.  In 2002, he recorded 524 yards and two touchdowns on 149 carries and registered 36 yards on eight receptions.