A veterans’ group picks a Cherokee among 11 veterans to receive a free trip to the Super Bowl.
"To be able to take these guys, it's just honoring them for their service and thanking them for their service and the sacrifices they made and sacrifices their families make for those guys going overseas," said Kevin Phelps with Operation Enduring Respect.
Marine Corps and Air Force Reserves veteran Dustin Butler leaves Oklahoma Friday for the big game. He said getting Phelps’ call was unbelievable.
"I'm used to giving and not receiving, if that makes any sense," Butler said. "That's all it seems like I've ever done, and I don't — it's hard for me to take this, you know?"
Butler is excited about the trip, and he said there’s more than just the game to look forward to.
"We're going to a luncheon with the NFL hall of famers, all of them are going to be there, we're going to be presented with an NFL jacket, a Wilson football signed by everybody there, a meet-and-greet, and they're taking 10 other veterans, and so I'm really looking forward to talking to them and meeting with them and sharing stories," Butler said.
Butler said he’s recording the game so he doesn’t miss the commercials, but seeing the halftime show live will make up for having to watch them later.
The big question: Who is he rooting for?
"We've got to go with the red, white and blue. Patriots are going to take it all the way," Butler said. "I hope it's not a blowout game, I hope it's good, but I definitely have the Patriots by seven."
Operation Enduring Respect started when Phelps and Brian McKee paid to take some wounded soldiers to the Alamo Bowl. Now they’re taking their fifth group to the Super Bowl.
