Sgt. Obray shares webcast with Chicago families

Brandi Schiff/

Office, Chief of Public Affairs, Midwest

CHICAGO - U.S. Army Soldier of the Year, Sgt. David Obray, a light-wheeled mechanic with the U.S. Army Reserve, 492nd Engineer Company, 416th Engineer Command, Darien, Ill., listens intently to Maj. Gen. Richard Formica, Commander Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan and Brig. Gen. Steve Huber, Joint Task Force Phoenix commander, stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, at a webcast in Chicago. Sponsored by "We Do Care," and hosted by the U.S. Cellular Corporation, the webcast at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, was arranged to give family members of deployed Soldiers from the 33rd Brigade, Infantry Combat Team, Illinois Army National Guard, a chance to interact with community leaders and ask questions to the senior leadership of their loved ones in Kabul. Obray was an honored guest at the Webcast and was on hand to interact with the family members, show support and answer questions.

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Sgt. Obray named Chicago Bulls honorary team captain

As posted on ABC News 7 - Chicago

"March 24, 2009 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The crowd cheered after the Bulls named Sergeant David Obray honorary team captain at Tuesday's game against the Pistons."

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Sgt. Obray hits magazine newsstands across America

Timothy L. Hale
Army Reserve Public Affairs

Sgt. David Obray appears in the April 2009 issue of Men's Health Magazine on page 52.

He is featured in the "Belly Off Club" section, highlighting his amazing physical transformation.

Here's an excerpt from the article.

The Change: Obray was excited for his brother to return from military duty in Afghanistan, and channeled that excitement into running. Later, the two brothers lifted weights together. Obray grew stronger and leaner, and then enlisted in the Army Reserve. He qualified (barely) to run with Alpha, the most physically fit group. "My drill sergeant asked if I could hang with Alpha or if I wanted to move down to Bravo, and because he doubted me I was motivated to prove him wrong," Obray says.

To read the entire article, visit Men's Health magazine.

Sgt. Obray marches in Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

Courtney Wittman
Office of the Chief, Public Affairs-Midwest

Army Reserve and Deparment of the Army Soldier of the Year, Sgt. David Obray, marched in the 54th Annual St. Patrick's Day Parade in Chicago on Tuesday, March 17, 2009.

Soldiers from the Chicago Recruiting Battalion, 416th Theater Engineer Command (USAR) and ROTC Cadets from Loyola University and DePaul University marched in the parade. The parade route was lined by over 250,000 spectators on Columbus Drive. Obray marched in front of the combined formation and was announced separately, for his achievements as Soldier of the Year.

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