Rachel Washburn is only 25 years old yet she is already an American hero. She is a First Lieutenant in the Army and a former Philadelphia Eagles Cheerleader. Her former squad honored Washburn as a "Hometown Hero" on Sunday, Dec. 22 during the Eagles-Bears game at Lincoln Financial Field.

Washburn has lived quite an exciting life. She grew up in at least a dozen different towns all across America thanks to her dad's army service. While the army brat really liked the experience of growing up all around the country, the only place she considered living after high school was Philadelphia.

The history buff first visited the city of brotherly love during a high school class trip. She applied for an ROTC scholarship and was accepted into Philadelphia's Drexel University. Her affinity for all things Philly continued, as she became an Eagles Cheerleader in 2007 while still in college. The drive and determination Washburn needed to make the squad for three years straight (2007-10) proved that she had grit.

After graduation she joined the military and immediately became a terrific soldier. Washburn is the recipient of a Bronze Star Medal, the Army Commendation Medal and the Combat, Airborne and Air Assault Badges. It turns out her cheering experience helped her acclimate to the Army.

"I remember my first game incredibly vividly," Rachel remarked. "When I was going through the Cultural Support Team training, we had to do mental toughness training every couple of days. One of the things that they taught us was how to kind tune into your happy place to remain mentally calm in stressful situations. My happy place just so happened to be what I remember my first game being like. We lined up in the end zones for the pre-game dance, and I just remember it being a beautiful August day, so that memory has always stuck with me, and of course the trip to Iraq was one of the greatest honors of my life, and I think back on it fondly often."

The Eagles are definitely proud of their former cheerer.

"Rachel really is the epitome of an American hero, which is why we are looking forward to Sunday night's game when we will have the opportunity to acknowledge her bravery and thank her for the sacrifices she has made to serve and protect," said Barbara Zaun, the Eagles' director of cheerleading. "It will be very special for me to see her honored as our Hometown Hero after working so closely with her during her time as a cheerleader."

"I'm incredibly excited and humbled by it," Rachel explained. "I always thought that was such a wonderful thing that the Eagles did -- that every game they chose somebody to showcase what they had done for every single person in that stadium.

"I'm so honored because I call Philadelphia home, I love the Eagles so much and I'm just excited to be home in Philadelphia and watch the Eagles win."

Are you a fan of Rachel's? Do you love the Eagles? Let us know the answers to both of those questions in the comments section below.