By: Jim Carney (Akron Beacon Journal via Ohio.com) –
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Christopher C. Shaffer had a Buckeye moment in Baghdad.

Shaffer got to meet Ohio State University football coach Jim Tressel this week during Tressel’s visit to Iraq, as part of what is called Coaches Tour 2009.

During the meeting, Shaffer, 25, a 2002 graduate of Twinsburg High School who earlier attended St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in Akron, along with Tressel and two others did what Buckeye fans around the world tend to do: They made the O-H-I-O formation.

Shaffer, son of Jamie Maloy of Lake Township and Chris Shaffer of Twinsburg, is a 2006 OSU graduate who majored in history.

The coach’s visit, Shaffer said, was a great opportunity and morale booster for the troops.

”It is really great to know that he supports our efforts over here,” Shaffer said.

Tressel’s ”leadership and calm demeanor speak volumes to me as an Army officer,” Shaffer said. ”He is an inspiring figure that always speaks well of his opponents, never outwardly displays his emotions, especially during stressful game situations, and asserts himself in his position.”

The officer, who is based at Fort Bragg, N.C., and plans to remain in the Army for at least five more years, said he feels young people can learn a lot from Tressel and the other coaches who were part of the tour.

”It was just nice to spend some time with the coaches and talk about college football and take our minds off of Iraq for a little while,” Shaffer said.

Shaffer said his main job in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division Staff is to improve the logistics infrastructure for the Iraqi military.

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