By Spc. Eric W. Liesse
112th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Score it a virtual victory for four Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldiers currently deployed to Iraq, and their families, thanks to a non-profit organization and the Green Bay Packers.

The organization Pro vs. GI Joe brought together four Green Bay Packers with four Soldiers from the 32nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team in a battle of "Guitar Hero" and "Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare" despite the fact that they were thousands of miles apart.

Four Soldiers deployed with the Janesville-based Company A, 132nd Brigade Support Battalion of the 32nd Brigade traveled from Camp Bucca, Iraq to Camp Virginia, Kuwait for the event to connect with Green Bay Packer's kicker Mason Crosby, running back Ryan Grant, nose tackle B.J. Raji and defensive end Jarius Wynn at Lambeau Field Atrium Friday, Oct. 16.

Family members of two Company A Soldiers joined in. And Pro vs. GI Joe connected Soldiers and families via webcam and on-line gaming.

"It was amazing," said Sgt. Robert Spors, one of the Company A Soldiers taking part in the event. "It was the luck of the draw [being selected]. I don't have real good luck sometimes, so it was real nice." Also participating were Pfc. Trent Lien, Pfc. Bryan Schneider and Spc. Brett Lange.

Pro vs. GI Joe, co-founded by Greg Zinone and his wife Addie, lets professional athletes, celebrities and high-ranking military officials play online video games with deployed service members, giving them a unique opportunity to unwind in an otherwise intense environment.

"The heart and soul of Pro vs. GI Joe is the connection that we're making," said Addie Zinone, one of the company's founders and an Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran who continues to serve her country as a member of the U.S. Army Reserve. As such she understands what service members and their families go through during deployments.

She and her husband, Greg, came up with Pro vs. GI Joe as a way to give back to military members and they wanted to use their knowledge and experiences to do something different. "As a former college football player, [Greg] knows athletes love to play video games," Addie said. "As a Soldier, I know Soldiers, Marines, Airmen, and Sailors love to play video games as well." The concept almost made itself, Addie said. After about a year of planning and fundraising, the program took off. It allows professional athletes, celebrities and military officials to use modern technology to connect with deployed service members in a relaxed environment and show appreciation to deployed troops who are given a unique opportunity to unwind in an otherwise intense environment.

"And the family members who come and get to attend and watch their loved ones via webcam from a combat zone and have a good time," Addie said.

Dani Spors, wife of Sgt. Robert Spors, was very pleased with the event. "It was almost like I was star-struck," she said. "I wanted to jump through the computer and give him a big hug."

But the families aren't the only ones who enjoy the opportunity to connect with a Soldier. Participating Packers had nothing but excellent words for the opportunity.

"I just want them to know that we care and we're so grateful," Crosby said after several rounds of intercontinental "Guitar Hero." "We get to see them, they get to see their families, and we get to be a part of it."

After a couple hours of video games and webcams, the United Service Organization treated families to lunch.

"[The families] get to know that for those few hours, [their Soldiers] are having a good time, they're not thinking about the mission, and they're making a connection home," Addie said.

Watching fellow troops virtually "beat up" on the professionals, she said, is an added bonus. Though all in good fun, the "pros" didn't fare as well as they may have hoped.

"I think we got beat in 'Guitar Hero,'" Crosby said. "We need a new drummer," referring to the lackluster performance of teammate Wynn.

"This is my first time, but I'm enjoying it," Wynn said. "It's always good to see a smile on someone's face. Coming from me, I just love to see people smile."