Bentonville Students Produce Video to Honor U of A Student Who Served Country

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James LaRocco shares some of the mementoes from his military service.

University of Arkansas student James LaRocco was inspired by the 9/11 terrorist attacks to enlist in the Army, and he spent nine years on active duty that included two deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan. This month, for the 16th anniversary of 9/11, students at Bentonville High School produced a video featuring LaRocco as a tribute to him and others who answered the call to service.

LaRocco began volunteering with the coaching staff of the Bentonville football team in July 2016 and this fall is continuing as an intern with the team. He expects to graduate in December with his bachelor's degree in kinesiology and hopes to continue to coach in Northwest Arkansas.

In the video, students and coaches talked about LaRocco's impact on the team. LaRocco talked about similarities between a military unit and an athletic team.

"In our summer workouts and our offseason program, we sweat and bleed together and that's what really builds their bond," he said later. "It's the same way with us in the military. We train and train and train and build our bond. We do it for a purpose; they do it for a purpose, although a different purpose."

For him, working with the team also eased his transition from military to civilian life.

"The video was a chance for me to speak for others," LaRocco said. "I was in almost nine years. Not only we, but our families, sacrificed a lot. We come home, and adjustment to civilian life is rough. For me, finding football and this kind of environment was great. I don't think I could have found a better place."

Last year, he brought the U.S. flag that flew over his base in Iraq for a student to run onto the field at the start of a game near Veterans Day. He plans to do that again.

"The flag was given to me by my brigade commander and that was the first time it was out of the case since I brought it home," LaRocco said. "It's something special for the kids to do."