USA Men's National Team Ends DC Training Camp With Emotional Visit To Arlington National Cemetery

Representing The United States Takes On New Meaning

• Arlington National Cemetery Photo Gallery
• Practice Photo Gallery

Following a spirited two-hour late morning practice at George Washington University’s Charles E. Smith Center, the USA Basketball Men’s National Team continued its Hoops For Troops program, but this time they became tourists for a few hours Sunday afternoon, albeit ones with special access and an exceptional tour guide.

The USA’s tour Sunday of Arlington National Cemetery was guided by none other than General Martin E. Dempsey, the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The tour featured a stop at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tour of the Memorial Display, witnessing a Changing of the Guard and placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and finally a private tour of Arlington National Cemetery.

It was an extremely emotion experience for the USA team – players and coaches alike.

“Today was just one of those feeling days that you hope to accomplish in your training. It’s not about offense or defense, it’s about who you’re playing for, what you’re representing. You can sometimes never get to that point where you feel that,” said USA head coach Mike Krzyzewski about the afternoon’s tour.

“We’re hoping that these last two days gave our guys an opportunity to feel their country, be proud of their country. Not that they’re not proud of representing the United States but maybe they understand what representing the United States is more about, a little bit deeper.”

Bussing from practice to Arlington National Cemetery, the first stop for the USA men was The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Following a tour of the Memorial Display Room and witnessing the changing of the guard, the team participated in a wreath ceremony.

On behalf of the USA squad, USA Basketball Chairman Jerry Colangelo and 2012 U.S. Olympians Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and LeBron James had the honor of placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The tour was completed with a visit to Arlington National Cemetery Section 60. Section 60, in the southeast part of the cemetery, is the burial ground for military personnel killed in the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan.

“The Wreath Ceremony is something special that is not afforded to many people. For General Dempsey and his team to say that our group is worthy of that; first of all, it says a lot (more) than the actual ceremony itself,” stated Coach K. “It’s an unusual moment but a very touching one as was our walking tour of part of Arlington Cemetery where you’re able to see the grave sites of heroes of our country, people who have given their lives for our country. Everything was moving today. It was a very moving day, and we’re appreciative of the fact that the armed forces allowed us to do that.”

FIBA World Champion MVP Kevin Durant grew up in the Washington, D.C., area.

“Words can’t describe how excited I was to get that opportunity (presenting the wreath). Not too many people get that. Also, being from here, that was my first time experiencing that. It really puts everything in perspective for you, how much people sacrificed – that you don’t even know – for your lives and that’s big,” said Durant.

Mike Krzyzewski (USA and Duke University head coach)
What did the trip to Arlington National Cemetery mean to you?
Today was just one of those feeling days that you hope to accomplish in your training. It’s not about offense or defense; it’s about who you’re playing for, what you’re representing. You can sometimes never get to that point where you feel that. We’re hoping that these last two days gave our guys an opportunity to feel their country, be proud of their country. Not that they’re not proud of representing the United States, but maybe they understand what representing the United States is more about, a little bit deeper.

Thoughts on the Wreath Ceremony:
The Wreath Ceremony is something special that is not afforded to many people. For General Dempsey and his team to say that our group is worthy of that: first of all, it says a lot (more) than the actual ceremony itself. Again, until you’re placed in that moment, you have a tough time feeling, what would that be like? It’s an unusual moment but a very touching one as was our walking tour of part of Arlington Cemetery where you’re able to see the grave sites of heroes of our country, people who have given their lives for our country. Everything was moving today. It was a very moving day, and we’re appreciative of the fact that the armed forces allowed us to do that.

How important is it for the team to realize that representing the country is a little more than just a basketball game?
It’s very important for our team to realize that they represent something bigger than themselves, especially for the basketball team. It’s our country’s sport – at least, we feel it is. We’re supposed to be the best. It’s not just winning. It’s how we win. The respect that we gain through our efforts and how we handle things, our humility, our courage, our togetherness. I think it just gives it even much more meaning than only winning a gold medal. Only winning is big, but it really has much bigger ramifications than that.

Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Does an event like this help shed light on what it means to represent the country?
Yes. I keep going back to this is, how we provide our service to our country by playing basketball. They look to us as their release, their escape to root for us and to pull for us. In turn with the amount of dedication they provide to our country, we have to return that favor by providing the same level of discipline, same level of focus and determination in representing our country in the best way we know how. To be here is just a huge honor. To talk to the men here, to talk to the women here who serve our country and sacrifice so much, really, really puts things into perspective.

Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City Thunder)
What was the experience like?
It was very touching to see so many people who sacrificed their lives for us to walk freely and do what we like to do. It’s hard to really comment on it because you can’t repay them in any way but it’s truly a blessing to walk through and see that because they’ve done so much for us.

Does it mean more considering you’re representing the country in the Olympics?
It gives us a little bit more incentive to go out there and play as hard as we can, leave everything out on the floor and that’s still not enough for what they’ve done for us. I’m just blessed I get this opportunity, and that was a lot of motivation.

Your thoughts on participating in the Wreath Ceremony?
Words can’t describe how excited I was to get that opportunity. Not too many people get that. Also, being from here, that was my first time experiencing that. It really puts everything in perspective for you, how much people sacrificed – that you don’t even know – for your lives and that’s big.

Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves)
What did you think of the experience?
It was unbelievable. I can’t believe there are 3000 monuments there and definitely more to come really from every war and seeing the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier and seeing the Changing of the Guard. Going out there and learning about all the different soldiers and seeing General Dempsey the
past couple of days, it’s a very humbling experience. When you get to experience stuff like that in the manner that we did, it really feels great to be part of the USA and such a great country.

Is it inspiring considering what you’re doing right now, representing the country in the Olympics?
Absolutely. It’s a huge inspiration. You realize that this is bigger than basketball, and you’re playing for more than yourself and more than your team. You’re playing for the entire nation. To see them and know what they do to fight for our freedom, the men and women that service our country, it’s truly a special experience.