thank a vet!

Veterans Day! Hopefully people can put aside their feelings today and thank a vet that helped pave the way for us to have the freedoms to feel the way we feel about the outcome of the 2016 Presidential election. Remembering that all Veterans gave some and some Veterans gave all. Think about that for a minute. Some men and women from today and going back 200+ years have put their lives on hold to protect this great nation. Some of them never came home. Laying down their lives fighting for what is right. Whether it was protecting the Constitution or protecting the innocent around the world, it takes a special person to be able to what these men and women do and have done.

My favorite Veteran of course is my father. He served in the United State Marine Corps. He was oh so proud of his time in the Marines. Many of his closest friends throughout his life were former Marines. Dad was a Vietnam Vet. Before I was born Dad spent a lot of time away from his family, friends, and home. My Dad enlisted...not drafted spent his stateside service time in Parris Island and Fort Pendleton. Other that that I know that Dad was in Okinawa and Vietnam. Dad didn't talk about being overseas much but I can only imagine what he and his fellow Marines had to do while over there. Dad was so young. I guess history says that the average age of the US Soldier that went to Vietnam was only 19. That means that there were a bunch of 18 yo kids over there. Wow! Stunning - Thank you to all of them.

My favorite Veteran that I never met was Ted Williams. In 1941 Ted Williams hit .406, making him the last hitter in the Majors to bat over .400 in a season. In 1942 Williams won his first triple crown. (League Leader in HRs, RBIs and average) In 1943 there was this little thing called WWII that interrupted his baseball career. Williams served three years in the US Navy and US Marine Corps during WWII. In 1946 after the Williams was discharged from the Marines he rejoined the Red Sox for about $37,000 per year. Back to baseball for this legend but not for long. In 1953 Williams was activated by the US Navy and served his country again in the Korean War. As far has I know Ted Williams is the only baseball player that had his career interrupted twice to serve his country. Now some people might say that his two tours in two different wars were soft. Nothing could be further from the truth. This stud hitter was also a stud pilot and flew 39 missions. Williams survived many of his fellow pilots and lost some of his hearing but did his job each time he was called on. Amazing!

If you know a US Veteran or if you happen to bump into one today or any day, say "Thank You" They have earned it, don't you think!

Thank you for your service!

Coach Bale