Olympians serve America off field too

At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, modern pentathlon's Eli Bremer and shooting's Jason Parker donned their red, white and blue uniforms and represented the United States in their respective sports.

But it was not the first time these two athletes represented America.

Before they became Olympians, Bremer served in the U.S. Air Force and Parker served in the Army.

"Being in the Air Force, you're representing your country,'' Bremer said. "Being an Olympian, you're representing your country. It's a pride and a duty to represent your country."

Parker echoed Bremer's pride.

"I am proud to be an American," Parker said. "There are a lot of other nice countries, but none of them have the freedom like we have here in the United States."

So on Saturday, when the country celebrates its independence on the Fourth of July, it should be no surprise that these two former Olympians will be celebrating.

Bremer said the Fourth of July is his favorite holiday because while some other holidays have lost their meaning and become more commercialized, he believes the Fourth of July has remained "really special." He will spend Independence Day in his hometown of Monument, Colo. There, he hopes to enjoy a parade, fireworks, running in a road race, and cooking out with friends.

Parker is heading to his hometown of Omaha, Neb., for this Fourth of July, where he will go fishing, shoot fireworks, go to a gun range where he used to shoot at when he was a kid, and camp on land that his father owns. The shooting range is next door to his father's land.

"That is where I have my best memories of the Fourth of July," Parker said.

Bremer, 31, is excited to be able to spend the holiday in Colorado this year, as he has spent some Fourth of July celebrations away from home.

One Independence Day that Bremer spent away from Monument was when he was in basic training. Bremer recalled that he was going through the toughest part of training around the Fourth of July, but on the holiday they were given time off to enjoy the fireworks. He said they had recently watched the movie "Glory," and he remembered thinking about the film and all of the sacrifices men and women had made for America while he celebrated Independence Day that year.

But while Bremer's holiday during basic training was memorable, he says that the Fourth of July last year was probably the most special. Bremer was part of a tribute to 2008 Olympians that was held on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol. The event, which was a send-off of sorts to the athletes before the Beijing Games, was led by Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton and hosted by actor Jimmy Smits.

"I don't think I'll ever top that," Bremer said.

Even so, the pentathlete is happy to enjoy a more traditional holiday at home this year.

Bremer attended college at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. There, he competed in swimming and fencing before training full time in the pentathlon after he was assigned to the Air Force's World Class Athlete Program in 2001.

Bremer spent seven years in active duty with the Air Force before transferring to the reserves in 2007 to focus on training for the 2008 Olympics, where he finished seventh in the swimming and running events en route to finishing 22nd overall.

Parker, a three-time Olympian, joined the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit upon the recommendation of his college shooting coach at Xavier University. A sergeant, Parker's role in the Army has been focused on training and getting troops ready for combat.

And when he's not training troops, Parker tries to find time to focus on his own athletic training. He is aided in his shooting training by what he calls a very talented team at the Army Marksmanship Unit.

"We all train together to push each other to higher results," said Parker, who competed in the air rifle in Beijing. "It is a very competitive atmosphere here. To win a practice competition here means that you have beaten another teammate that is probably an Olympic medalist, world champion, world-record holder or a national champion. It makes you feel like you are one of the best in the world."

Whether he's competing against his teammates or against an Olympic competitor, Parker takes a moment to reflect on the national anthem when it's played at competitions. He says when he hears it he thinks of what the U.S. flag stands for and of the men and women who have "fought, sacrificed and died" for those freedoms. He also thinks of all of the people who supported the athletes to get them to perform at their best "in order to get our flag flying at the top of the flagpole."

While fun is on the agenda for these two Olympians on the Fourth of July, taking time to remember what the holiday is about and what it means to be an American is also part of their Independence Day plans.

For Bremer, he says being an American is "a great privilege."

"Life in America is so phenomenal,'' Bremer said. "I think a lot of people take that for granted.''

Parker has a holiday message for his fellow Americans: "My message to other Americans on the Fourth of July is to appreciate all of the freedoms that you enjoy. Remember and thank all of the members of the Armed Forces, past and present, for providing those freedoms."

Story courtesy Red Line Editorial, Inc. Mary Motzko is a freelance contributor for teamusa.org. This story was not subject to the approval of the United States Olympic Committee or any National Governing Bodies.