Statesmen Participating in Folds of Honor

Oskaloosa–The William Penn women’s golf team will be paying homage to a fallen hero this spring as it will participate in the Folds of Honor military tribute program.

During each tournament this spring, one member of the Statesmen squad will carry a golf bag honoring Air Force Staff Sergeant Joseph J. Hamski.

Staff Sergeant Hamski, a native of Ottumwa, died in duty on May 26, 2011 at the age of 28. He was assigned to the 52nd Civil Engineer Squadron at the Spangdahlem Air Base in Germany when, while defending our country in Afghanistan, his unit was attacked by enemy forces.

Hamski previously served at Eglin, Cannon, and Kusan Air Force Bases. He worked as an explosives and demolitions engineer and trained others to detect and deactivate bombs.

While serving, Hamski earned the Bronze Star with V (V for valor), the Commendation Medal with V, and the Purple Heart.

The bag with Hamski’s name on it will also have a story card attached to it recognizing him and the Folds of Honor program.

Hamski graduated from Ottumwa High School in 2001 and briefly attended Iowa State University before enlisting with the Air Force in 2002.

“We have always had a tradition in our program of doing things outside of ourselves,” Head Coach Bailey Rimes said. “The Folds of Honor program aligns with our culture and how we want to represent our program. I learned about the proram last summer and then took the idea back to our players and they were immediately excited to be a part of it. We met with Joseph’s mother and she told us all about who he was, which was really important for our players to know better the person we are honoring. Our players have been extremely respectful of Joseph’s memory and are so proud to honor him.”

Prior to each tournament, team members will vote on who is deserving of carrying Staff Sergeant Hamski’s bag. The program has purchased custom shirts and golf tees and have also started the hashtag #BeLikeJoe.

“Everything we do this spring is built around the idea of #BeLikeJoe,” Rimes said.

When the team hosts the TPC Deere Run Invitational next Monday and Tuesday, Hole #10 will feature a sign that commemorates Staff Sergeant Hamski on the 10th anniversary of his passing.

At season’s end, the golf bag that has been carried by the players will be given to Hamski’s family. Additionally, a second bag will be raffled off in the fall with all proceeds being donated to the Folds of Honor program.

“I feel that our program has always been about more than just golf,” Graduate student-athlete Alexis Guimaraes said. “It is about becoming better people, leaders, and teammates. Honoring Joseph and the Folds of Honor program allows us to play for something bigger than just us. It is about honoring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Joe embodied the values that we strive for every day–humility, selflessness, confidence, devotion, and embracing who we are, both on and off the course.”