Larry Izzo -- A Patriot's Patriot
ARMCHAIR GENERAL * MAY 2009
Larry Izzo of the New England Patriots holds the November 2008 issue of Armchair General while standing at Gillette Stadium. Izzo is currently preparing for his annual “Larryoke” event, which will be held in Boston.
NFL Pro Bowler Larry Izzo is more than simply a New England Patriot; he’s a true American Patriot. Izzo leverages the Patriots’ “special teams” notoriety to go beyond the call of duty in supporting U.S. troops. Drawing on a long lineage of relatives who fought for America, he carries on his family’s leadership tradition in his position as captain of the three-time Super Bowl champions.
Izzo’s military roots run deep. The Pats’ Number 53 grew up an Army brat, the son of a West Pointer who was wounded in Vietnam. He had three uncles who served with distinction during World War II at legendary locations such as Bastogne, Normandy, the Rhine River and Guadalcanal, and his brother in the military was deployed to Bosnia.
After returning from an NFL-sponsored trip to Baghdad and Afghanistan in 2005, Izzo said he felt a strong desire “to help support troops and their families to bring attention to the amazing sacrifices our Soldiers are making.” The 2005 visit, combined with his family connection to the military, inspired Izzo “to give back.” Thus was born “Larryoke,” a popular karaoke benefit that raised $600,000 in its first three years. The fourth annual event is scheduled to be held in Boston this June. The proceeds go to the families of American troops who died in combat and to American veterans who were disabled as a result of their military service in Iraq or Afghanistan. For more information, visit larryizzosalutetothetroops.com. Submitted by John Ingoldsby