One of the many veterans that John keeps in touch with is someone he met while covering the first Gulf War back in 1990. Colonel Bill Smullen was a top aide to General Colin Powell back then. Now, he teaches at Syracuse University and is part of a remarkable collaboration with troops from nearby Fort Drum, New York. Working with Col. Patrick Frank, Commander of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, Smullen brought soldiers from Ft. Drum to spend time on campus, attend football and basketball games, and share a meal with the players. And in exchange, both Syracuse teams went to Ft. Drum to experience life as a soldier for a day. CNN was there when the basketball team visited Ft. Drum.
Here is another collaboration between Syracuse University and Fort Drum, as posted by the US Army's Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/USarmy/posts/125303450908641
This video was created by Syracuse University graduate student, Peter Wayner, who is currently attending class at Syracuse's S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications.